Houston gives Tom Herman $1.45M annual boost in first season
HOUSTON (AP) No. 17 Houston announced a new deal Friday for first-year football coach Tom Herman, saying he had agreed to a contract that locks him up through the 2020 season and raises his annual compensation to $2.8 million.
The Cougars (11-1, 7-1 American Athletic) are having a standout season under Herman, who was the offensive coordinator for national champion Ohio State last year. Houston hosts No. 20 Temple (10-2, 7-1) for the league championship Saturday.
Herman was previously earning $1.35 million per year in base and non-salary compensation under a five-year contract, so his raise amounts to $1.45 million.
''My family and I are excited to renew our commitment to the University of Houston Football program,'' Herman said.
The amended contact shifts the buyout of $2.25 million end date from Feb. 28, 2018, to Feb. 28, 2019, with an increased buyout of $2.5 million for prior to Feb. 28, 2017. The $2.5 million buyout would be reduced by 25 percent if a planned $20 million indoor facility project is not approved by the Board of Regents by Sept. 1. The $2.25 million buyout would be cut in half if the indoor football practice facility is not at or near completion by Dec. 1, 2017, and reduced by 75 percent if that's the case a year later.
''As we've said in the past, we want Tom Herman to be the head football coach at the University of Houston well into the future,'' said Hunter Yurachek, the school's vice president for athletics. ''The head football coach at the University of Houston is a destination position and not a stepping stone, and a successful coach like Coach Herman's can build and maintain a nationally relevant, championship program in the city of Houston.''