New MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio's five-year contract will pay him $1.1 million annually, which puts him in the bottom half of the Big Ten football coaches. But Dantonio can make substantially more through various incentive-based bonuses.

For leading the Spartans to a Big Ten championship, the 50-year-old will be compensated $100,000. If MSU plays in a bowl game, Dantonio will receive added income, ranging from $375,000 for winning the BCS National Championship to $75,000 for most non-BCS bowl games.

Dantonio will rake in an extra $50,000 for national coach of the year honors and $25,000 for being named Big Ten coach of the year.

The contract allows Dantonio to earn bonuses off the field, as well. A bonus will be awarded to him based on the team's graduation rate, the financial terms weren't negotiated as of Monday.

If MSU's Academic Progress Rate, which measures the ability of a team to keep its players eligible and retain them from year to year, is above 925, Dantonio would earn between $25,000 and $100,000. The 2005 MSU football team earned an APR of 907.

The contract also gives MSU more flexibility if it decides to fire Dantonio. Whereas John L. Smith received a buyout equal to the remainder of his contract when he was fired Nov. 1, Dantonio's contract would provide a buyout of no more than $2.4 million. If he is released in 2011 or later, MSU would only owe him his base salary of $600,000.

If Dantonio leaves MSU for another job after the 2007 or 2008 seasons, he'll have to pay MSU $1 million. That penalty decreases to $750,000 after 2009, $500,000 after 2010 and $250,000 after 2011.