Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith announced Monday the university has extended head football coach Urban Meyer’s contract through the 2020 season. In terms of annual compensation, Smith said, Meyer will be the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten Conference.

Meyer completed his third season with the Buckeyes in January and won the College Football Playoff national championship. His previous contract ran through 2017 and would have paid him $4.9 million for 2015.

The new contract is retroactive to Feb. 1, 2015. Its end date is Jan. 31, 2021. His new salary in 2015 will be $5.8 million. His salary over the next six seasons will average $6.5 million.

“I am honored to serve as football coach at The Ohio State University and to represent this great university,” Meyer said in a press release. “It is a privilege to coach and mentor the young men in this program, and I want to thank President Drake and Mr. Smith for their support and their trust in me.”

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