After ‘real’ interest from UCLA, Gophers give P.J. Fleck significant retention bonuses

Three weeks after being linked to UCLA, the Gophers have awarded head football coach P.J. Fleck with a contact amendment that includes annual retention bonuses worth $5.7 million over the six years remaining in Fleck’s term.

The Bruins reached out to Fleck in early February for their vacant head coach position, but the following day, Fleck publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the Gophers.

The U said Friday, pending Board of Regent approval, Fleck will now receive bonuses on top of his total salary, which remains at $6 million per year. Last year, he received a seven-year contract extension, and that length remains: through the 2029 season.

Fleck, who posted a 6-7 record in 2023, will now receive substantial retention bonus for each year of the contract. (Year 1 starts the day the deal is approved by regents and ends Dec. 31, 2024.)

Year 1 (2024): $700,000

Year 2 (2025): $800,000

Year 3 (2026): $900,000

Year 4 (2027): $1 million

Year 5 (2028): $1.1 million

Year 6 (2029): $1.2 million

Fleck’s salary, including retention bonuses, currently ranks ninth in the 18-team Big Ten Conference, according to U documents.

The contract also calls for a $500,000 increase in a salary pool for assistant coaches/staff. Recent Gophers coordinators Joe Rossi and Kirk Ciarrocca left Minnesota in the last two years and received significant salary raises at their next schools — Michigan State and Rutgers, respectively.

The contract amendment also changes the buyout, if Fleck were to leave for another coaching position at any level, or for a job in broadcasting.

Year 1 (2024): $7 million

Year 2 (2025): $5 million

Year 3 (2026): $4 million

Year 4 (2027): $3 million

Year 5 (2028): $2 million

During Year 6 (2029): $0

Fleck’s buyout for 2024 was $5 million.

The contact also includes bowl bonuses: $500,000 for College Football Playoff national…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/real-interest-ucla-gophers-p-205600681.html

Author : Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Publish date : 2024-03-01 20:56:00

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