Looks like UT took a strong step to make sure Pearl stays put

Pearl gets new contract at Tennessee for average of $2.3M

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/m...earl_N.htm

Quote:KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl will make an average of $2.3 million annually through his new six-season contract, which ranks him among the best-paid basketball coaches in the country.
Pearl will earn $1.6 million in the 2008-09 season but is also receiving a one-time $250,000 bonus and an upfront retention bonus of $1.5 million this year. His salary will increase incrementally to $2.2 million in the 2013-14 season.

Should Pearl, 48, leave Tennessee in the next year, his buyout would cost $2.5 million — a figure that will decrease incrementally over the next four years to $1 million.

He previously was signed through 2013 and made $1.3 million last season.

"We went to Bruce and talked about giving him some upfront money to incent him to feel even better about Tennessee than he already does," Tennessee men's athletic director Mike Hamilton said
Under Pearl in 2007-08, the Volunteers experienced their best season in history with a 31-5 record, their first outright regular season Southeastern Conference championship since 1967 and a second-consecutive NCAA tournament regional semifinal appearance.

The Vols also achieved their first top ranking in The Associated Press poll after toppling previously unbeaten Memphis.

Pearl received his second SEC coach of the year recognition this season.

There was some buzz after the season ended that Pearl was being considered for coaching positions elsewhere, but Hamilton attributed that mostly to media buzz and said he never fielded any formal requests for other schools to interview Pearl.

"Bruce Pearl is very happy at Tennessee," Hamilton said.

Pearl's contract includes a base salary of $350,000, $500,000 for media commitments, a $500,000 equipment fee and a $250,000 endorsement fee.

He will receive bonuses based on the team's highest achievement each season. Winning an SEC regular season or tournament comes with a $75,000 bonus, a Final Four appearance nets a $100,000 bonus and a national championship earns an extra $250,000. He also would receive a $25,000 bonus for being named SEC coach of the year or $50,000 for national coach of the year.

Pearl's pay under his previous contract put him only slightly ahead of women's coach Pat Summitt, whose contract negotiations are ongoing. She is scheduled to make $1.275 million next season under her current contract.

The athletic department increased football ticket prices for the upcoming season to help pay for both salary increases and the rising costs to do business in a tougher economy.

"The folks who are benefactors of the system, who enjoy the wins and the excitement, are the ones who actually in the end are paying for that," Hamilton said.

How much does Fulmer make?

If the contract at the end pays him more than Fulmer, look for Fulmer to be gone by then.

Fulmer got a big raise to at same time

Quote:Fulmer's salary to average $3M through 2014

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer will earn $2.4 million this season and $3.3 million in 2014, the last year of his new seven-year contract, according to details released Wednesday.

His previous contract was worth just over an average $2 million a year through 2013. The raise -- Fulmer's first in three years -- makes his contract worth nearly $3 million a year on average.
The pay increase keeps Fulmer, 57, in the middle of the Southeastern Conference coaching pack when it comes to salaries.

"It's an extremely competitive football league, and I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that in any given year ... we're capable of winning a national championship," Tennessee men's athletic director Mike Hamilton said.

Fulmer, whose overall record now stands at 147-45, took a topsy-turvy 2007 regular season with several tough losses and came out with 10 wins, an SEC Eastern Division title and a win in the Outback Bowl.

He's said that hopes to win another national title -- and he has plenty of incentive to do so. His new contract includes several guaranteed raises and extensions based on his team's success.

An SEC Eastern Division title earns a $100,000 raise along with his annual $150,000 base pay increase. A BCS bowl appearance without winning the SEC would earn $150,000 more, an SEC title $350,000 more and a national championship $850,000. Those raises would not be combined in a single season; only the raise for the top achievement is given.

He will also receive bonuses of $37,500 to $250,000 based on level of achievement starting with an appearance in a non-BCS bowl. For every eight-win season, he'll also receive an extra year on his contract.

Fulmer said he was pleased to be rewarded for the stability his tenure has provided to the program and said he plans on coaching for many years to come.

"I am really proud of our university's commitment to myself and my staff and support group," Fulmer said. "I love my job, I love these kids and I love the University of Tennessee."

Hamilton indicated that the built-in pay raises for reaching certain benchmarks might prevent the need to renegotiate Fulmer's contract every year as has become the expectation.

"We've kind of gotten into this cycle as it relates to these coaches of having to address it annually," he said. "That helps mitigate some of those concerns and questions out of the gate every year."

Fulmer's base salary is worth $375,000. The rest of his compensation comes from media commitments, equipment and apparel fees and product endorsements.

Should Fulmer remain at Tennessee through the end of 2012, he'll also be rewarded with a $1 million longevity bonus to celebrate his 20th anniversary as head coach.

Fulmer's staff of assistants also received raises totaling $250,000. Defensive coordinator John Chavis will get a $15,000 increase to $340,000. New offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will also make $340,000, the same amount as his predecessor, David Cutcliffe.

The athletic department increased football ticket prices for the upcoming season to help pay for both salary increases and the rising costs to do business in a tougher economy.

"The fans want championships, they expect championships and in essence they pay for it," Hamilton said.

UT is also talking to Summitt about her deal since the UConn coach just recently signed a huge deal making him the highest paid women's coach.

What I found interesting was that Fulmers deal only makes him the 7th highest paid coach in the SEC.. not even top half but he is the dean of the SEC and still has the highiest winning % of all coaches.

Pearl on the other hand is now 3rd in the SEC among basketball coaches.

I also found it interesting that a football national championship is worth a 850,000 bonus to Fulmer but a
basketball national championship is only a 250,000 bonus to Pearl.

Fulmer has the top one percent of the big money donors in his back pocket. He's not going anywhere.