285,000 is a dang fine salary to be making as either a DC or OC at the college level. That is pretty high. Especially for a program like Maryland.
for instance, Brent Venables makes $255,000/year and Chuck Long makes $220,000. I would consider anyone coaching for OU to be in the top 10% of the nation in terms of salary. So, he is already making more than 50 grand more than chuck long who has a NC ring and works for one of the best programs in the nation.
at florida dan mullen, their oc makes 200 grand and the dc's each got $70,000 raises last year and are now making $290,000 a year. Shawn watson, OC at nebraska is making $220,000.
My guess is, your boy wasn't even making $200,000 at ksu and this new gig is a huge step up for him. Even if he doesn't make it to the HC position, he is probaly making 80-90 grand a year more than in manhattan. Plus, maryland isn't a sh*thole