How much will Tennessee’s Josh Heupel earn for taking the Vols to the playoffs?

WVLT News dove into his contract to take a look at what he’s earned so far this season and what he stands to earn if the Vols continue to perform.

 Tennessee Head Football Coach Josh Heupel can expect a hefty payday for taking the Vols to the College Football Playoffs.

WVLT News dove into his contract to take a look at what he’s earned so far this season and what he stands to earn if the Vols continue to perform.

Just for making it to a first-round playoff game, Heupel can expect a $200,000 bonus. It doesn’t stop there, however; Heupel can earn more as the Vols continue to win.

Under his latest contract extension, the bonuses work out like this:

• Winning the CFP National Championship game: $1,000,000
• Appearing in the CFP National Championship game: $400,000
• Appearing in CFP Semifinal game: $300,000
• Participating in a CFP Quarterfinal game (New Year’s 6): $250,000
• Participating in a First Round CFP game: $200,000
• Participating in a bowl game: $100,000

Heupel also gets bonuses for polls, like the AP, USA Today and coaches polls. Those bonuses look like this:

• Top 5 Finish in the AP, USA Today/Coaches or CFP Poll: $150,000
• Top 10 Finish in the AP, USA Today/Coaches or CFP Poll: $100,000
• Top 25 Finish in the AP, USA Today/Coaches or CFP Poll: $50,000

The top Vol only gets one bonus in each category though. For example, Heupel has secured the $200,000 first-round bonus, but he won’t also get the $100,000 bonus below it.

These bonuses are added to by smaller ones for things like Coach of the Year awards and academic progress rates.

Of course, all these bonuses stack with Heupel’s base pay ($275,000) and Supplemental Pay (max of $8,725,000, determined by university broadcast, endorsement and consultation contracts).

Heupel’s contract is good through Jan. 31, 2029.