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Gus Malzahn working on raises for Auburn assistant coaches; Malzahn's bonus due Wednesday Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn talks to reporters during a BCS press conference Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in Newport Beach, Calif. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

-- Auburn is working on new deals for Gus Malzahn's assistant coaches following the greatest turnaround in school history.

Athletics director Jay Jacobs and Malzahn have entered discussions for deepening Auburn's salary pool, which ranks third in the SEC and fifth nationally.

"We've got one of the best staffs in college football and we'll do everything in our power to keep them together," Malzahn said.

Auburn's nine coaches are currently paid a total of .495 million annually. The Tigers sit behind LSU (.565 million) and Alabama (.462 million) in the SEC salary pool, . Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson leads Auburn's staff with a salary of 0,000 per season, which is tied for the seventh-highest salary in the country.

Auburn's staff has remained intact during the hiring and firing season so far. Running backs coach Tim Horton reportedly interviewed for the head coaching job at Georgia Southern last week but .

Malzahn is expected to sign his new six-year, .85 million contract soon. He signed a letter of understanding with Auburn in December.

"That will be in the near future," Malzahn said Friday.

Malzahn's name was connected to other job openings, including the Cleveland Browns, but the coach made it clear several times in recent weeks he is committed to coaching the Tigers next season.

Malzahn's first-year salary of .3 million will get a boost in the interim thanks to performance-based bonuses totaling 5,000. The school will pay the bonuses to Malzahn, who won several national coach of the year awards and led the Tigers to the BCS National Championship, no later than Wednesday, according to Malzahn's first-year contract.

The Tigers lost 34-31 on Jameis Winston's touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining Monday in the BCS National Championship.

Auburn salaries Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson: 0,000 salary; 0,000 max bonusDefensive line coach Rodney Garner: 0,000; 5,000Safeties coach Charlie Harbison: 5,000; 6,250Receivers coach Dameyune Craig: 0,000; 7,500Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee: 0,000; 7,500Cornerbacks coach Melvin Smith: 0,000; 5,000Offensive line coach J.B. Grimes: 0,000; 7,500Running backs coach Tim Horton: 0,000; 2,500Tight ends coach Scott Fountain: 0,000; 2,500

Source: USA Today

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