UA assistants get hefty pay raises

Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith directs his players during practice Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the UA practice field in Fayetteville.

— Five Arkansas football assistant coaches have received new contracts following the Razorbacks' 7-6 season in 2014.

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith, secondary coach Clay Jennings, defensive line coach Rory Segrest, offensive line coach Sam Pittman and tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. received contract extensions and pay raises, according to documents released through a freedom of information request. Arkansas strength and conditioning coach Ben Hebert also received an extension and pay raise.

Smith, who led a turnaround in the Razorbacks' defense, received the biggest pay raise. He will receive $750,000 this year with $50,000 annual pay raises each of the next two years.

Smith was originally under contract through June 2016 at $500,000 annually, but received a two-year extension. He will owe Arkansas $250,000 if he takes any other college coaching position, though that buyout will be waived if he is hired as a head coach or NFL defensive coordinator.

Pittman received a $25,000 pay raise to $525,000 per year. The third-highest paid assistant coach on staff, Pittman's contract runs through June 2018.

Jennings' pay raise was $30,000 to $350,000 per year. Jennings signed a clause prohibiting him from taking any other non-head coach or coordinator job in the SEC and he is under contract through June 2017.

Lunney's pay raise was $40,000 and Segrest received a $15,000 pay raise. Both will make $240,000 per year through June 2016. Segrest signed a no-compete clause with other SEC schools, though the clause can be waived if he is offered a head coach or coordinator position.

Hebert's new contract runs through June 2018. His initial pay raise is $30,000 to $330,000 per year.

Herbert will receive $10,000 annual pay raises each of the following two years.

In a statement, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema said three more assistant coaches are in the process of finalizing new contracts.