Top Terrapins Coaches Guaranteed $2M, $1.9M
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- The new head coaches of the University of Maryland's football and basketball teams are guaranteed $2 million and $1.9 million a year, according to contracts released by the school in response to a Public Information Act request from The Daily Record.
The $2 million salary for Randy Edsall, who was named as Ralph Friedgen's replacement on Jan. 3, puts him in the middle of the pack for college football coaches.
The $1.9 million guaranteed to Mark Turgeon, who replaced Gary Williams on May 10, would rank him in the top quarter of coaches that made the NCAA Division I basketball tournament in 2011.
Both coaches got raises from their previous jobs to come to College Park, but both are also guaranteed less than their predecessors, according to the contracts released Wednesday.
Edsall, whose contract is dated June 27, was guaranteed $1.5 million last season at the University of Connecticut, where he coached for seven years. Edsall also received a bonus of $114,583.
In 2010, Friedgen, who was fired by Athletic Director Kevin Anderson in December with one year remaining on his contract, made $36,000 more than Edsall will make this year.
Edsall's agent, Gary O'Hagan of IMG World based in New York, could not be reached for comment.
Turgeon, who signed his contract June 24, made $1.6 million at Texas A&M in 2010, and received a bonus of $166,668, according to research by USA Today based on college and university documents. Williams made $2.3 million in 2010.
The guaranteed compensation for both coaches includes $400,000 in base salary, $400,000 for radio and television appearances on behalf of the university and $400,000 for fundraising activities.
Edsall will make $400,000 for equipment and apparel endorsements, while Turgeon will receive $300,000 for such endorsements.
The coaches were also given performance goals to achieve as part of their contracts, and for each goal attained, the coach receives more money. Starting in the fall 2012 through spring 2013 academic year, University of Maryland will pay Edsall $75,000 if the graduation rate of the men's football program is greater than or equal to 85 percent; $50,000 if the rate is less than 85 percent but higher or equal to 75 percent; and $25,000 if the rate is between 65 percent and 75 percent.
Turgeon will receive $50,000 if the graduation rate of the men's basketball team is 50 percent or higher.
The coaches will also be eligible to receive up to an additional $50,000 each year for strong academic performances, based on a rating percentage.
Being competitive on the field or court will also give Edsall and Turgeon a financial benefit. Edsall could receive up to $625,000 for winning championship games, bowl participation and individual awards, such as ACC Coach of the Year. Turgeon's top bonus is $200,000 for each National Championship won, and $150,000 for each Final Four appearance made. Other compensation goals for Turgeon range from $10,000 to $100,000.
Edsall also has ticket sales goals in his contract. If ticket sales increase by 25 percent, he will receive $100,000. If luxury suite sales increase by 50 percent, Edsall earns $100,000.
When he joined Maryland, Edsall said that part of his duty was to bring more fans to the stands.
The Terrapins drew 235,007 fans to six games at Byrd Stadium last season, a drop of 24 percent from the prior year and the lowest total since 2000, when they drew 204,775. The average home attendance this season at the stadium, which seats 54,000, was 39,168, and no games were sold out.
Turgeon signed for an eight-year contract, while Edsall signed for six years.
Officials from the University of Maryland's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics could not be reached for comment.
Information from: The Daily Record of Baltimore, http://www.mddailyrecord.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
