A few months back, when the Texas program appeared to be heading back toward a dark place, Mack Brown was busy convincing the board of regents to approve hefty pay raises for his current staff and soon-to-be staff. It appears the regents didn’t need much convincing — not after USA Today and the Austin American-Statesman revealed just how much that staff will make in 2011.

What Texas is paying in 2011

Role2011 CoachSalaryCame from (2010)
Offensive coordinatorBryan Harsin (play-caller)$625,000$259,520 — Boise State
Defensive coordinatorManny Diaz$625,000$260,000 — Mississippi St
Running backsMajor Applewhite$500,000$269,509
Defensive backsJerry Gray$425,000Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Offensive lineStacy Searels$425,000$301,200 — Georgia
ReceiversDarrell Wyatt$315,000$250,000 — Kansas
Tight endsBruce Chambers$200,000$187,039
Defensive endsOscar Giles$200,000$162,451

For perspective, the men they replaced didn’t come cheap either. In 2010, former offensive coordinator Greg Davis made $477,084 and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp pulled down a staff-high $907,000, while holdover-era assistants Duane Akina ($318,509), Mac McWhorter ($292,759), and Bobby Kennedy ($212,519) rounded out the old guard.

With all the hefty pay raises, Longhorn fans are hoping the money translates into regular 10-plus-win seasons again.