How P.J. Fleck's new contract will stack up in Big Ten coaching salaries

P.J. Fleck's new deal could put him in the top half of Big Ten coaching salaries in 2020. Using his current $3.6 million salary for 2019, here's a breakdown of Big Ten coaches' salaries reported by USA Today:

1. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan, $7.5M: Third-highest salary in the country, trailing only Dabo Sweeney ($9.3M) and Nick Saban ($8.7M).

2. Jeff Brohm, Purdue, $6.6M: With Louisville in hot pursuit this spring, Purdue ponied up big-time. Team is 3-6.

3. James Franklin, Penn State, $5.7M: Got a raise in August. Riding high in November. He heads to Minneapolis at 8-0.

4. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern, $5.1M: Salary continues to climb, but Wildcats have hit a low in the standings at 0-6 in the Big Ten.

5. Scott Frost, Nebraska, $5M: Another Big Ten coach with a losing record in the national top 15. Frost (14th in salary) is 2-4 in the Big Ten.

6. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, $4.8M: Signed through 2025, the 64-year-old is winning (6-2) and well-paid (18th nationally).

7. Ryan Day, Ohio State, $4.5M: The guy has never lost — first-year coach is 8-0 with the No. 3 Buckeyes — so he's due for a raise.

8. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State, $4.4M: At the top of the bottom half in salary, and in the standings (MSU is 4-4, 2-3).

9. Paul Chryst, Wisconsin, $4.2M: Signed an extension in January that takes him through the 2024 season.

10. Lovie Smith, Illinois, $4M: The annual salary is actually down from $5 million, but the wins (5-4) are up. The Illini have won three in a row.

11. P.J. Fleck, Gophers $3.6M: His third contract extension in as many years will bump him up to $4.6 million in 2020.

12. Mike Locksley, Maryland, $2.5M: Hired in December and signed a similar contract to that of former coach DJ Durkin. Maryland is 3-6.

13. Chris Ash, Rutgers $2.3M: He was fired in September after posting an 8-32 record in three-plus seasons. Buyout: $8.5 million.

14. Tom Allen, Indiana, $1.8M: The lowest salary in the Big Ten ranks 71st nationally. It's a big bargain: Indiana is 7-2, 4-2.

Credit: Figures from USA Today coach salary database. See the full database at sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/football/coach.