Meyer's Contract Filled With Incentives

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Coach Urban Meyer has extra incentive to win and to stay at Florida. Meyer could earn up to $450,000 in bonuses by winning the Southeastern Conference, the national title and some postseason coaching awards in the same year, according to his contract released Friday.<br> <br> He also has a longevity clause that would pay him a total of $2.1 million for remaining at the school for the duration of the seven-year, $14 million contract he agreed to in December, but didn&#39;t sign until April 20.<br> <br> Although Meyer&#39;s deal is fairly similar to the one former Gators coach Ron Zook signed in 2002, most of the perks are more sizable.<br> <br> Meyer received a $500,000 signing bonus, which was $375,000 more than Zook got.<br> <br> Meyer will get a $60,000 annual expense account, triple the amount Zook received.<br> <br> The new coach will get $100,000 annually for family education expenses, something Zook didn&#39;t even have in his contract.<br> <br> But the biggest difference might be the longevity clause, another incentive Zook didn&#39;t have.<br> <br> Meyer would get a $250,000 lump sum payment for staying through the end of the 2006 season. He would get an additional $500,000 after 2007, $250,000 after 2008, $500,000 following the 2009 season and then $600,000 for sticking around through 2011.<br> <br> Meyer also has better bowl bonuses than Zook had.<br> <br> Meyer would earn $75,000 for winning the SEC championship game, $100,000 for going to the Bowl Championship Series, $150,000 for making the BCS title game and $250,000 for winning the national championship game.<br> <br> He also has incentives for being named SEC or national coach of the year by The Associated Press, and for finishing in the top 10 in either the AP or coaches&#39; poll.<br> <br> Meyer&#39;s contract also allows him a small window from the end of the regular season until Jan. 2 to pursue another job, and he can walk away without having to pay Florida any compensation. Should the school fire Meyer, though, he would receive $1 million for each year remaining on his contract.<br> <br> Meyer&#39;s base salary begins at $225,000 for the 2005 season and increases about $7,000 each year thereafter. He also receives $500,000 a year for his apparel contract, $300,000 annually for his radio and television contract and $200,000 annually for speaking to the school&#39;s booster clubs.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/5/135229