MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) – When coaches are let go, its college football programs left to pay them to leave. Since 2004, it has cost universities more than a billion dollars to pay coaches not to coach. The most recent season was record-breaking, with more than $200 million written into fired coaches’ contracts.
Badgers’ head football coach Luke Fickell’s contract buyout would have ranked as the fifth-highest among head coaches fired without cause had he been let go this season, according to an investigation into the Wisconsin football coach’s employment agreement.
If Fickell were fired by April 1, his buyout would cost the University of Wisconsin roughly $25 million, which represents 80% percent of his remaining initial contract.
The contract would require Fickell to actively search for a comparable or better job, such as a coaching position at another NCAA Division One school or the NFL. The university would pay him about $353,000 each month through the end of his contract. He has received two one-year extensions, putting his current contract out to 2032.
If he signed a new contract with a comparable role, the university would only have to pay for the difference in salary. However, he does not have to take a job that ultimately would not be good for his career.
Fickell declines contract extension
Fickell requested not to have his contract extended this season. His contract stipulates that a one-year extension with a $100,000 salary increase is due following the athletic director’s performance review if his work is found to be satisfactory and the athletic board approves it. The overall buyout amount is not impacted by the extension increases.
Performance incentives and other benefits
Like other coaches around the country, Fickell receives incentives to perform, with bonuses totaling up to $1.45 million. Winning the Big Ten Championship gets him a $350,000 bonus. He gets a $200,000 bonus for making it to the playoffs, another bonus of $400,000 if the Badgers qualify for the semifinals, and one more bonus of $500,000 for taking home the national championship.
Assistant coaches, coordinators, and other coaches have their own bonus pool to benefit from these postseason wins.
Fickell also receives travel and entertainment fringe benefits amounting to $125,000 each year, two car allowances of more than $10,000 per year, a family country club membership, and a Camp Randall Stadium suite and additional tickets.
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