Gainesville native Damon Evans will get a bonus totaling that amount from the University of Georgia this month as he prepares to take over as athletic director on July 1, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
The payment is ``in recognition of the additional efforts you will undertake in preparing for your new position,'' according to a Dec. 18 memorandum of understanding that accompanied the university's job offer to Evans.
In addition to $50,000 up front, Evans will receive an annual base salary of $250,000 when he succeeds Vince Dooley on July 1, plus incentives up to $50,000. His salary will increase to $300,000 on Jan. 1, 2005, and additional increases may be given based on performance, according to the memo.
Although his five-year contract is still being finalized by the university, the financial agreement means Evans' salary will immediately top the base salary of his mentor, Dooley, who will retire in June after 40 years with the athletic department.
Dooley's annual base salary is $214,925 in addition to $85,000 in radio and television compensation and $13,500 as a football bonus plus perks and benefits that include a car provided by the UGA Athletic Association and $88,000 for housing expenses, according to his most recent contract.
The perks and benefits that Evans will receive were not outlined in the memo.
Dooley said Thursday he is not familiar with Evans' contract but the salary is not surprising.
``I'm realistic enough to know that it's just a sign of the times,'' said Dooley, who added that his first contract as a football coach was for only $12,000 a year.
Evans said he has not yet received his $50,000 bonus, but expects to see the payment and a contract soon.
``The concept of the money, I think it's a very fair contract but I just don't focus on that aspect as much,'' Evans said. ``Now, don't get me wrong, I know it's a significant amount of money, but I never thought about it compared to what coach Dooley was making. I just looked at it and I thought what was presented to me was fair.''
UGA spokesman Tom Jackson said the contract will be finalized by the time Evans takes over as athletic director, and it is subject to approval by the University System Board of Regents.
Mike Cleary, executive director of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, said that the $250,000 base salary is the norm for a Division I-A school.
The $50,000 payment Evans will receive this month is ``sort of new to me'' he said. He said he believes it's a ``thank you for being patient during the interview process.''
The 34-year-old Evans has been UGA's senior associate athletic director for internal affairs since 2000. UGA President Michael Adams named Evans as Dooley's replacement Dec. 19.
Adams last summer turned down a request by Dooley, 71, for an extension to his current contract, which expires June 30.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/1/166129