Three of the University’s most well-known head coaches could be in for a huge pay-day if the Board of Supervisors approves new contracts this week. According to the most recent draft of his contract, the newest member of the group, baseball coach Paul Mainieri, will receive a 5-year deal worth $150,000 per year. In addition to that salary, Mainieri will be entitled to receive another $150,000 contingent on the former Notre Dame coach participating in University-approved radio, television and Internet programming. Mainieri was introduced as Smoke Laval’s replacement June 28. He still has two years left on his contract with Notre Dame. In the latest draft, the University or Tiger Athletic Foundation “will assume responsibility for the discharge of the direct obligation of [Mainieri] related to Mainieri’s termination of his employment contract with the University of Notre Dame up to an amount not to exceed $150,000.” Mainieri could be due to receive several post-season incentives if he finds success during his tenure as head coach. Among the incentives are $20,000 for an SEC regular season or tournament championship, $35,000 for an appearance in the College World Series and $75,000 for an NCAA National Championship. Mainieri spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Notre Dame. He led the team to 533 wins, nine Big East championships and a berth in the 2002 College World Series. A new contract is also on the table for basketball coach John Brady. The Associated Press reported June 15 that a new deal was in the works for Brady, but news pertaining to the deal had since been quiet. The most recent preliminary form of Brady’s deal runs through the 2010-2011 season. His salary will remain at $250,000 per year, but his benefits from radio and television programming will increase from $415,000 per year to $650,000 for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. That amount will increase by $50,000 each fiscal year through 2011, giving Brady the possibility of earning $3.75 million solely through appearances in University-sanctioned media programs. Brady, who in April led the University to its first Men’s Final Four appearance since 1986, could also receive supplemental compensation of $25,000 for being named SEC Coach of the Year and $50,000 for being named National Coach of the Year. Brady has a 167-111 record in nine seasons as head basketball coach. He has made two Sweet 16 appearances and won two SEC titles and three SEC West titles during his tenure. The most financially lucrative deal out of the three goes to head football coach Les Miles. Miles’ new agreement commences on New Year’s Day 2007 and runs through the end of 2010. He’ll be paid $300,000 per year. For media programming appearances, Miles will receive $950,000 in 2007 and 2008 and $975,000 in 2009 and 2010. The coach will also make an additional $50,000 in the event the GPA of the football team is 2.80 or higher. Like Mainieri and Brady, Miles will receive monetary benefits depending on the success of his team, benefits including $50,000 for an appearance in any post-season bowl game, $75,000 for an appearance in the SEC Championship game and $175,000 if the University participates in the BCS National Championship game. The Chancellor of the University has the authority to extend the agreement for one year, 2011, for no less that $1.85 million.
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