Ohio State's Meyer gets lucrative extension

Apr 13, 2015 - 8:11 PM Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Urban Meyer will become the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten after leading Ohio State to its first national championship in 12 years.

Meyer will average at least $6.5 million in annual salary over the next six years as part of an extension announced by the university on Monday.

His salary this year will increase to $5.8 million, a $900,000 bump from the deal he signed in November 2011 that was to last through the 2017 season.

The new extension, subject to approval by the school's board of trustees in June, lasts through 2020. Annual raises will bring the average compensation to at least $6.5 million per year by the end of the deal.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement that Meyer "has done an excellent job strengthening our culture of commitment to academics, career development and winning championships."

Meyer, 50, is 38-3 in three seasons at Ohio State and 142-26 in 13 years as an FBS coach.

The Buckeyes were 14-1 this past season, which ended with a 42-20 win over Oregon in January's national championship game.

Meyer, who previously led Florida to two national titles, joined Nick Saban as the only head coaches to win championships with two different programs.