Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA;  Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Coaches pocket big bonuses with CFP semifinal runs

A berth in the College Football Playoff championship game will be on the line when Texas and Ohio State meet Jan. 10 in one national semifinal, but so will hundreds of thousands of dollars for their head coaches.

Both Steve Sarkisian of Texas and Ryan Day of Ohio State stand to cash in big bonuses with a win at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas.

According to figures from USA Today, Sarkisian has earned $650,000 so far by qualifying for the semifinal after the Longhorns’ double-overtime win over Arizona State on Wednesday in the Peach Bowl. That’s on top of $250,000 he earned by reaching the Southeastern Conference title game.

Should the Longhorns play in the title game, he’ll earn another $250,000 — and that will be doubled with a win.

As for Day, reaching the CFP semifinal with Wednesday’s Rose Bowl win over Oregon in the quarterfinals has brought him an extra $350,000. If the Buckeyes defeat the Longhorns, he will be guaranteed an additional $150,000 — plus $500,000 more if they win the national championship for a total bonus payout of $1 million.

James Franklin’s Penn State team will face the winner of Thursday’s Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame after their victory over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State and Franklin agreed on a contract amendment in November to account for the revamped, 12-team CFP, and details haven’t been announced. Front Office Sports reported that under the four-team playoff structure, Franklin would have received $400,000 for making the field, $500,000 for a semifinal win, or $800,000 for winning the national championship.

Salary figures for Marcus Freeman, the head coach at Notre Dame, were not available because it is a private school. But at public Georgia, Kirby Smart stands to take home $1.175 million in bonuses should the Bulldogs win the national title. He already has earned $425,000 of that amount.

That’s a lot of money but still far short of the $3 million Jim Harbaugh earned last season for leading Michigan to its first title since 1997.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman (31) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Giants RB Freeman ruled out vs. Buccaneers

New York Giants running back Devonta Freeman has been ruled out of Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ankle injury.

Freeman sustained the injury during the team’s 22-21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 22. Wayne Gallman is expected to be the main ball carrier against the Buccaneers.

Freeman (172 yards on 54 carries) emerged as the primary running back after star Saquon Barkley was lost with a season-ending knee injury.

Gallman has rushed for 110 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries this season.

The Giants also ruled out safety Adrian Colbert (shoulder). Receiver C.J. Board (concussion) is questionable.

Wideout Sterling Shepard is slated to play. He has been slowed by shoulder and toe injuries.

In addition, left guard Will Hernandez is sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19.

–Field Level Media