Tax returns: ND paid Charlie Weis more in 2014-15 than Brian Kelly

ByAndrea Adelson ESPN logo
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Notre Dame released its federal tax return Monday, and once again, the school paid former coach Charlie Weis more than current coach Brian Kelly.

The university gave Weis a payment of $2,054,744 for the reporting period of July 2014 through June 2015. Weis has received $16,912,123 since he was fired in November 2009. Notre Dame is scheduled for "additional annual payments" through December 2015, so one more payment means Weis' buyout money from the school will total $18,966,867.

Kelly received $1,624,730 for the 2014 reporting period, though that likely does not match his total earnings, as the school notes that "the current head football coach is permitted to receive compensation from external sources with prior written approval from the University." Income from a source such as a shoe company would not have to be reported on the tax forms. Kelly received $1,187,272 from Notre Dame in the previous reporting period.

Although it has come to be expected that Weis earns millions for not coaching, there was one interesting revelation on the tax form: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder received $1,106,156 in his first year with the program. By comparison, former coordinator Bob Diaco, now the head coach at UConn, received $672,824 from the school in his final full reporting period from July 2012 through June 2013.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick made $1,605,070 over the reporting period, while men's basketball coach Mike Brey received $2,120,177, a sum that comprises $970,177 from the school and $1,150,000 from Play by Play Sports, which is now known as Notre Dame Sports Properties.

Women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw received $1,677,396, with $1,377,396 coming from the school and $300,000 coming from Play by Play Sports.