Salaries for coaches and administrators in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), made up of eight HBCU programs vary widely based on sport and school, reflecting different investment levels in athletic success. The figures below, sourced from Open Payrolls and the University of North Carolina System payrolls, provide insight into the financial commitments of MEAC institutions.
Football Salaries in the MEAC
Football remains a focal point for most HBCUs, and in the MEAC, Norfolk State leads the way in salary allocation for its head coach:
- Michael Vick (Norfolk State) — $400,000
- Chennis Berry (South Carolina State) — $300,000*
- Trei Oliver (North Carolina Central) — $289,224
- Damon Wilson (Morgan State) — $274,000
- DeSean Jackson (Delaware State) — N/A
- Larry Scott (Howard University) — N/A
Norfolk State’s Michael Vick earns the highest publicly reported salary at $400,000, making him the top-paid head coach in MEAC football. South Carolina State’s Chennis Berry follows at $300,000, with North Carolina Central’s Trei Oliver ($289,224) and Morgan State’s Damon Wilson ($274,000) rounding out the known figures. Salaries for Howard’s Larry Scott and Delaware State’s DeSean Jackson were unavailable.
Men’s Basketball Salaries: Norfolk State Leads the Way
Men’s basketball salaries in the MEAC show that coaching compensation often exceeds that of football, with Norfolk State’s Robert Jones taking the highest reported salary in the conference.
- Robert Jones (Norfolk State) — $435,766
- Kevin Broadus (Morgan State) — $381,000 (2023)
- LeVelle Moton (North Carolina Central) — $369,332
- Erik Martin (South Carolina State) — $210,000
- Stan Waterman (Delaware State) — $170,000
- Cleo Hill Jr. (Maryland Eastern Shore) — N/A
- Kenneth Blakeney (Howard University) — N/A
Jones’ $435,766 salary at Norfolk State surpasses all other basketball coaches in the MEAC, with Morgan State’s Kevin Broadus ($381,000) and NCCU’s LeVelle Moton ($369,332) close behind. South Carolina State’s Erik Martin ($210,000) and Delaware State’s Stan Waterman ($170,000) earn significantly less. Howard’s Kenneth Blakeney and Maryland Eastern Shore’s Cleo Hill Jr. do not have available salary data.
Women’s Basketball Salaries: Norfolk State Again at the Top
Women’s basketball salaries in the MEAC are significantly lower than men’s basketball and football.
- Larry Vickers (Norfolk State) — $214,200
- Timothy Eatman (South Carolina State) — $173,000
- Terrence Baxter (North Carolina Central) — $162,000
- Ed Davis (Morgan State) — N/A
- Jazmone Turner (Delaware State) — N/A
- Ty Grace (Howard) — N/A
- Malikah Willis — N/A
Norfolk State’s Larry Vickers ($214,200) leads the conference in compensation for women’s basketball coaches, followed by South Carolina State’s Timothy Eatman ($173,000) and North Carolina Central’s Terrence Baxter ($162,000). Salaries for Howard, Delaware State, and Morgan State’s coaches were unavailable.
Athletic Director Salaries: Morgan State’s Investment Stands Out
Athletic directors (ADs) play a crucial role in shaping HBCU athletic programs, and Morgan State University leads the MEAC in terms of reported AD compensation.
- Dena Freeman-Patton (Morgan State) — $331,000
- Dr. Melody Webb (Norfolk State) — $259,772
- Dr. Skip Perkins (North Carolina Central) — $213,977
- Tony Tucker (Delaware State) — N/A
- Buddy Pough (SC State) — N/A
- Dr. Kerry Davis (Howard) — N/A
Morgan State’s Dena Freeman-Patton ($331,000) is the highest-paid AD in the conference, with Norfolk State’s Dr. Melody Webb ($259,772) and North Carolina Central’s Dr. Skip Perkins ($213,977) trailing behind.
Which HBCU Pays the Most?
When evaluating total known salaries across football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and athletic director positions, Norfolk State appears to be the most financially committed to athletics.
- Norfolk State leads in football coaching pay (Michael Vick, $400,000).
- Norfolk State has the highest-paid basketball coach (Robert Jones, $435,766).
- Norfolk State pays the highest women’s basketball salary (Larry Vickers, $214,200).
- Morgan State has the highest-paid AD (Dena Freeman-Patton, $331,000).
While salary figures alone do not determine success, they reflect an HBCU’s investment in its athletic programs. The MEAC remains a competitive conference, and financial commitment to coaching and leadership could shape its future on the national stage.