UC, Fickell set to agree on $13.4M contract
Tom Groeschen , tgroeschen@enquirer.com Published 3:48 p.m. ET Feb. 17, 2017 | Updated 6 hours ago
Cincinnati Bearcats head football coach Luke Fickell addresses the media.
(Photo: The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar)
New University of Cincinnati football coach Luke Fickell is expected to have his six-year, $13.4 million contract approved by the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees at its next meeting Tuesday
Fickell will make an average salary of $2.23 million, slightly more than the $2.2 million average of previous UC head coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville resigned this past December, after UC slipped to a 4-8 record in the 2016 season. Former Ohio State assistant coach Fickell was hired Dec. 10 by UC.
According to the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between UC and Fickell, the coach will make a base salary of $1.9 million this year in his first Bearcats season. The salary will rise to $2 million in 2018, then $2.3 million in 2019. Then, Fickell will make $2.4 million each year from 2020-2022.
Fickell will earn a $250,000 bonus if UC plays in a New Year’s Day bowl game, and $75,000 for any bowl appearance.
Other bonuses include $50,000 each for an appearance in the Top 25 CFP (College Football Playoff) ranking, winning a conference regular season title and winning a conference championship game. Any bowl win will bring $25,000.
The deal includes buyout numbers for both parties. For instance, Fickell would owe $3.5 million to UC if he leaves before Dec. 31, 2017. That number would decrease annually, to a $750,000 payout by the sixth year of Fickell’s contract.
In turn, Fickell would be owed an $11 million buyout if UC terminates him before Dec. 1, 2017. That number also decreases annually, to a $1.2 million buyout by the sixth year of Fickell’s contract.
UC is scheduled to begin spring football practice March 6.
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../98049780/