Louisville extends Brohm through 2033 with $8.1M average salary

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Louisville and football coach Jeff Brohm have agreed to a new contract that runs through the 2033 season and will pay an average of $8.1 million annually in base salary and retention payments.

The school announced the agreement Thursday, coming after Brohm has led the Cardinals to 28 wins in three seasons with his alma mater. That included the program's lone appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in 2023.

Brohm's previous deal was set to pay an average of roughly $6.5 million through the 2030 season. The new agreement includes revised financial terms effective this fall, revised performance bonuses, a temporary larger buyout if Brohm left for another job before 2028, and additional money for hiring staff.

The Louisville native will see a $500,000 bump to nearly $6.6 million for the upcoming season. The biggest salary gains come in the following three seasons, with Brohm set to make just shy of $8 million in 2027, $8.3 million in 2028 and $8.4 million in 2029. Payments peak at $8.7 million in 2032 and include retention bonuses of $1 million annually starting Dec. 31, 2028, if Brohm remains at Louisville.

Brohm will also add $750,000 to the $5.5 million pool for hiring football staff such as assistant coaches and strength coaches. The buyout that was originally $1 million through 2030 rises to $3 million if Brohm leaves before the end of 2027 before returning to $1 million thereafter.

Reaching the College Football Playoff would go from being a performance bonus to an increase in Brohm's annual base salary, from $500,000 for a bid to $2 million for winning the CFP title.

Brohm is 28-12 in his three seasons, making him only the second coach in school history to win at least nine games in three straight seasons. Athletic Director Josh Heird said in a statement that Brohm has demonstrated he is the right person to lead the program.