New Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator Bryan Nardo Set to Make $650,000, per Report

Contract details for Oklahoma State’s new defensive coordinator have been released.

Bryan Nardo is set to earn $650,000, according to The Oklahoman‘s Scott Wright. Nardo signed a three-year deal, which will tie him to the Cowboys through the 2025-26 season.

Oklahoma State announced Nardo as its new defensive coordinator on Jan. 24. He comes to Stillwater from Gannon University, where in just one season as Gannon’s DC, Nardo improved the team’s total defense by more than 100 yards a game. The 287.4 yards a game Gannon gave up were the lowest for the program in 20 seasons.

Nardo also spent time as a linebackers coach at Youngstown State after an eight-year stint as Emporia State’s defensive coordinator.

“I cannot thank Coach Gundy and the rest of the staff enough for their openness throughout this entire process and for trusting me with this responsibility,” said Nardo in OSU’s announcement of the hire. “I am extremely excited to join the rich tradition of Oklahoma State football. I can’t wait to get to work and continue to build upon all of the great things that have been done here throughout history. I spent eight years recruiting the state of Oklahoma, seeing first hand the amount of pride people have in this university’s athletic programs. There’s no better place to be able to represent.”

With Nardo coming up from the Division-II level, $650,000 is a little more than half of what Derek Mason made as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last season. Mason made $1.1 million, making him the highest-paid assistant in OSU’s history. Mason had significantly more experience, spending time as an SEC head coach before coming to Stillwater. Mason announced last month that he would take a sabbatical from coaching after one season in Stillwater.

Nardo’s addition also came with new titles for OSU linebackers coach Joe Bob Clements and corners coach Tim Duffie. Clements was named co-defensive coordinator, and Duffie added the title of defensive passing game coordinator. According to The Oklahoman, Clements earns $600,000 a year and Duffie earns $550,000 a year. Neither are expected to get raises with the new titles, according to The Oklahoman.