Why Does LSU’s Running Backs Coach Make More Sense Than OSU’s Defensive Coordinator?

LSU running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson was hired over Glenn Spencer to be UTSA’s new head football coach. Here is a look at Wilson’s profile page on the LSU football website.

It has also been reported that he is an associate head coach at LSU (whatever that means). The reason I tell you all of this is because something curiously stuck out to me during this entire process.

Kyle Fredrickson pointed it out earlier in the week when he openly wondered if UTSA could even afford somebody like Glenn Spencer.

Can UTSA afford to hire #OKstate DC Glenn Spencer? Salaries in 2015 per USA Today…
Larry Coker: $425K
Spencer: $550K

— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) January 14, 2016

It’s a good question. Or I thought it was. Then UTSA went and hired somebody who made more than Glenn Spencer and nearly doubled UTSA’s head coaching salary.

Per USA Today, LSU's Frank Wilson is making $676,067; Oklahoma State's Glenn Spencer, $550,000.

— Jerry Briggs (@JerryBriggs) January 14, 2016

Frank Wilson was making $675k before bonuses & perks at LSU. UTSA folks are reporting his deal will average $750k there. Hope he wins big.

— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) January 15, 2016

The odd part of this is … why is LSU’s running backs coach making over $100K more than Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator? Is that strange to anyone else or just me? I know Leonard Fournette is good (and LSU has the No. 1 class in the country coming in next year), but he’s the running backs coach!

All of that to say, I’m glad Spencer is staying (I think). Bill Haisten casually tossing Paul Rhoads out there as a potential replacement for Spencer was certainly enticing, but Spencer has done a good job. He’s currently fighting the bar we have for him (that he set with a ridiculous 2013 defense) which is really high. Just because he didn’t clear it in 2015 doesn’t mean he’s not a solid coach or that there’s a better option.