NEIL CORNRICH & NC SPORTS: MANAGING THE CAREERS OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY

SEARCH NEILCORNRICH.COM

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Stoops is college football's $5 million man





Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops speaks during a press conference last January. OU Regents announced Stoops will make almost $5 million in 2011.

By GUERIN EMIG

June 24, 2009


ARDMORE -- Bob Stoops will make nearly $5 million as Oklahoma football coach in 2011, should he remain that long, according to his revised contract approved Wednesday by the OU Board of Regents at their annually scheduled meeting in Ardmore.

The regents also approved raises for OU basketball coaches Jeff Capel — his guaranteed salary increases from $1.05 to $1.5 million — and Sherri Coale, as well as baseball coach Sunny Golloway and softball coach Patty Gasso. Members of Capel’s, Coale’s and Stoops’ staffs were given raises as well.

Stoops’ reworked deal, which was extended two years through Dec. 31, 2015, allows for a current guaranteed $2.975 million. It also calls for a $700,000 annual stay bonus, first payable Oct. 1. Meaning, when Stoops takes the sideline for the next OU-Texas game, he’ll be making $3.675 million.

An additional bonus, termed in the contract an “Additional Stay Benefit,” of $800,000 will be paid following Jan. 1, 2011. Factoring in the $700,000 bonus already in place, as well as the automatic $200,000 annual private-funds bump also built into the contract, Stoops stands to make $4.875 million in 2011. And that’s before performance-based bonuses also included in the deal. Should the Sooners compete for the Big 12 championship and a BCS bowl that season, as is typical under the coach, Stoops would clear the $5 million mark.

All told, his seven-year pact is worth $30.125 million.

“This university is so fortunate to have a terrific leader, an outsanding football coach, a person with impeccable character like Coach Stoops,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said after the regents adjourned, “with a proven record of success. With Jeff Capel and Sherri Coale, you see there’s a common thread of characteristics ... We feel just as grateful to have them leading our programs. We’re grateful that our president and our board show the leadership and demonstrate their support for what we’re trying to achieve.”

Capel, who last season coached the OU men to 30 victories and their first Elite Eight appearance since 2003, had his contract extended two years through June 30, 2016. As with Stoops’ contract, there are annual bumps built in — $50,000 through the 2011-12 season, then $70,000 through 2013-14 and $80,000 through 2015-16 — and two tiers of bonus money allowed.

Capel receives a stay bonus of $1.1 million following June 30, 2014, and what is termed a “supplemental” stay bonus of $400,000 following June 30, 2016. Should he remain OU coach through the 13-14 season, Capel is in line to receive $2.84 million. As it stands, his current guarantee of $1.5 million makes him the third-highest paid coach in the Big 12 Conference, behind Kansas’ Bill Self and Texas’ Rick Barnes, whereas before he ranked sixth. It also symbolizes what Castiglione hopes is a preemptive strike against programs who have shown interest in the 34-year-old coach after OU’s past two seasons.

“What he is attempting to build with the program is outstanding,” Castigloine said of Capel. “It’s important for continuity, because people around the country are seeing Oklahoma basketball in a very special way. He and our team have opened people’s eyes, and hopefully made it attractive to be part of this program and its growth and where it’s headed...

“We are very grateful that he has expressed his passion to stay and build this program, and create it as a destination job.”

Coale, who steered the OU women to their first Final Four since 2002 last season, closed in on the $1 million mark Wednesday. Regents approved a $60,000 guaranteed income hike to $900,000, with performance-based bonuses built in as well. Coale’s contract continues through July 1, 2017.

Golloway, whose Sooners bounced back from two straight shaky seasons to win 44 games and host an NCAA regional last year, was given a three-year extension through the 2013 season. He’ll make a guaranteed $201,000 under terms of the new deal.

“You don’t always reflect on one year,” Castiglione said when asked if Golloway’s extension was a result of his ‘09 success, “although it does validate things are being done the right way. I think this year established some momentum in our program that we haven’t had in a while.”

Among OU staffs. Capel assistants Mark Cline, Oronde Taliaferro and Ben Betts all received $12,000 raises in guaranteed income. But the raises issued Stoops’ assistants varied.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was given the highest bump, $100,000, to a guaranteed $385,000. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables was next at $50,000, to $395,000.

Quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, perhaps cashing in on the success of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, received a $44,000 raise, to $200,000.

Other staff raises ranged from $25,000 (Jay Norvell) to $15,000 (Cale Gundy, Jackie Shipp and James Patton) to $10,000 (Bobby Jack Wright and Chris Wilson).

In other action, the regents bumped Gasso’s salary to $133,000 and approved contracts for new coaches Ryan Hybl (men’s golf, $100,000) and John Roddick (men’s tennis, $99,800).

Popular Posts