Football: WVU Signs Rodriguez to New Deal
December 21, 2002 06:42 PM | General
December 21, 2002
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University and its head football coach Rich Rodriguez have signed a new seven-year contract today which assures that Rodriguez will coach the Mountaineers at least through the 2009 season.
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| West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez signed a new seven-year contract Saturday to lead the Mountaineers through the 2009 season. |
Rodriguez’ new contract will pay him $700,000 next year with annual increases each year. This includes a $150,000 base salary and $550,000 in guaranteed promotional income (Mountaineer Athletic Club appearances, radio, television, Internet and endorsements). Rodriguez will also have the opportunity to earn additional compensation in incentives and summer camps. The incentives will include graduation rates, team grade point averages, bowl appearances, Big East championships and season ticket sales. This represents a $291,000 increase from his previous contract.
The new pact recognizes Rodriguez’ achievements during the 2002 season when the Mountaineers finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and a second-place finish in the Big East Conference. WVU, currently ranked No. 15, will face Virginia in the Continental Tire Bowl on Dec. 28.
“This new agreement recognizes the job that Rich has done at WVU which clearly establishes him as an outstanding national coach,” said Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong. “Rich is destined to be a great college coach for his alma mater and we are delighted that he will be with us for a long time.”
“We believe that the University is making a sound investment in the future of its football program,” President David C. Hardesty, Jr. added. “The compensation is based upon current market conditions and, with the athletic department’s self supporting status, will not be a burden on the University academic budget.”
“I appreciate confidence in the direction of the football program,” said Rodriguez. “West Virginia is my home. It’s a great place to play, a great place to coach and a great place to raise a family. I look forward to coaching at WVU for many, many more years.”
