Fansided

Top 10 highest-paid assistant men’s basketball coaches at major schools last season

By Derek Helling

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; The Kentucky Wildcats enter the arena before the first half against the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; The Kentucky Wildcats enter the arena before the first half against the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot poses with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks spirit squad after their game in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot poses with the Jacksonville State Gamecocks spirit squad after their game in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kenny Johnson, Louisville

The highest-paid member of Pitino’s staff and men’s basketball assistant in the ACC, Kenny Johnson made $550,000 for the 2016-17 season. He was lured away from Indiana University prior to the 2014-15 season because of his recruiting prowess.

In a survey of NCAA basketball head coaches just prior to his hiring at Louisville, Johnson was ranked the 11th-most feared and respected recruiter in the nation.

It was his ties to recruiting success in the northeast and the success that the Hoosiers had during Johnson’s time at Indiana that made him so attractive to Louisville. The Cardinals are compensating him accordingly.

The title of highest-paid men’s basketball assistant not only in his conference and on his coach’s staff but out of all his Power 5 colleagues belongs to another Kentucky resident.