Auburn has agreed to pay new basketball coach Tony Barbee $1.5 million annually over six years, according to a letter of understanding released by the school this afternoon.

Here are some of the finer points:

• Barbee becomes the head coach effective today.

• His total yearly compensation is $1.5 million. That's $225,000 for a base salary. Endorsements, radio, television, Internet rights, fund-raising and personal appearances account for the other $1.275 million.

• The contract's term will be six years.

• He is eligible for academic and performance bonuses on top of his $1.5 million income.

• He is in charge of assembling a staff of assistants.

• He'll get two dealer cars or two car allowances equal to five percent of his salary.

You're obviously wondering where that puts Barbee in the SEC pecking order for salary. He's fifth. Jeff Lebo, by comparison, made only $750,000 a year, lowest among SEC coaches.

Here's an updated list:

• John Calipari, Kentucky: $3.9 million
• Billy Donovan, Florida: $3.5 million
• Bruce Pearl, Tennessee: $2.4 million
• Anthony Grant, Alabama: $1.8 million
• Barbee, Auburn: $1.5 million
• Mark Fox, Georgia: $1.3 million
• Trent Johnson, LSU: $1.2 million
• Rick Stansbury, Mississippi State: $1.2 million
• Darrin Horn, South Carolina: $1.1 million
• Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt: about $1 million (not subject to public record)
• Andy Kennedy, Ole Miss:$800,000
• John Pelphrey, Arkansas: $795,000