University of Wisconsin women’s hockey coach Mark Johnson maxed out his available bonuses, which totaled over double the salary he earned when he first started leading the team, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The news comes after Johnson also won the coach of the year award in the 2024-25 season.
Johnson brought home over $168,000 in bonuses for winning league and national championships. Winning the NCAA championship translated to an award of 15% of his base salary through Wisconsin’s postseason bonus schedule, and his contract has another 15% bonus for the national title. He also earned 5% for winning the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season championship and 5% for his national coach of the year award.
The bonuses in total hit the 40% mark and maxed out Johnson’s available bonus earnings. Wisconsin saw a 38-1-2 record and also took home the WCHA playoff championship, Patty Kazmaier Award for forward Casey O’Brien and goaltender of the year award for Ava McNaughton.
Dan Koch and Jackie Crum, women’s hockey’s full-time assistants, earned 20% bonuses — totaling over $23,000 for Koch and more than $18,000 for Crum — which included 15% for the NCAA title and 5% for the WCHA regular-season championship.
Bonuses for coaches of winter sports were approved by the Wisconsin Athletic Board at its April 16 meeting. The money comes from athletic department funds held by the UW Foundation.
