By Adam Rittenberg (ESPN.com) - The Big Ten hasn’t quite reached the SEC/ACC level when it comes to paying assistant coaches, but several schools are willing to shell out the big bucks for top aides.

How much will it cost to fix Michigan’s porous defense? The Wolverines hope the $750,000 salary paid to new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will do the trick.

Mattison, whose two-year contract was obtained by the Associated Press, has become the Big Ten’s highest-paid assistant. The veteran defensive coach who came from the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens will receive a base salary of $250,000 and $500,000 in additional compensation. He can earn a $150,000 bonus if Michigan wins the Big Ten championship this fall.

You figured Michigan needed to make a splash with its defensive coordinator hire, and luring Mattison from the NFL wouldn’t come cheap. Only three FBS assistants made more than $750,000 in 2010.

All three of the Big Ten’s highest-paid assistants from last season — Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, Wisconsin offensive……

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