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USF Offers Leavitt Extension

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt has been offered a two-year extension through 2014 by Athletic Director Doug Woolard that would increase Leavitt's salary by at least $500,000 a season, The Tampa Tribune has learned.

The proposed contract, obtained by the Tribune in a public records search, would pay Leavitt $12.7 million during the next seven seasons through 2014. In November 2005, Leavitt signed a seven-year deal worth $7 million.

Leavitt would not comment on the proposed contract Thursday night.

"I'm buried with recruiting right now," he said.

Woolard initially spoke with Leavitt about the new contract Nov. 29 - five days after USF ended the regular season by defeating Pittsburgh.

Besides increasing Leavitt's annual salary - he would make $2.2 million in 2014 - the proposed deal also features an increased buyout if Leavitt left USF, provides him the use of an additional automobile, adds new incentive rewards and increases previous incentives, and increases his assistants' salary pool.

Woolard could not be reached and USF sports information director Chris Freet did not return calls seeking comment.

Among the changes in the proposed deal, Leavitt would be guaranteed the following amount each season: 2008 ($1.5 million), 2009 ($1.6 million), 2010 ($1.7 million), 2011 ($1.8 million), 2012 ($1.9 million), 2013 ($2 million) and 2014 ($2.2 million).

Leavitt's buyout would be $1 million if he leaves before Dec. 31, 2008 - an increase of $600,000. The buyout decreases $100,000 each year to $600,000 on Dec. 31, 2012.

Leavitt's buyout if he leaves in 2013 or 2014 is $500,000.

Leavitt's proposed deal has three additional incentives not in his current contract: a $250,000 bonus for winning the BCS national title; a $200,000 bonus for reaching the BCS national title game but not winning the national title; and $50,000 for finishing in either the final AP or USA Today/coaches polls.

Leavitt's compensation for winning the Big East would double from $50,000 to $100,000. Other incentives stay the same: being Big East Coach of the Year ($50,000), playing in a BCS bowl game ($75,000) and playing in a non-BCS bowl ($25,000). Leavitt also would get two courtesy cars or $900 a month as an automobile allowance. He now gets one car and $450 a month.

Another change in the proposed contract is an increase to the assistants' pool. The current pool, which pays USF's nine full-time assistants, was set to increase from $950,000 to $1,050,000 in 2008. The proposed contract would increase the pool to $1,250,000 in 2008.

The proposed assistants' pool will increase $100,000 each year until 2012, when it caps at $1.65 million.

Leavitt still will receive a $75,000 bonus to pay his assistants or administrative staff if USF plays in a non-BCS bowl. If USF reaches a BCS bowl, Leavitt would have $180,000 to distribute to his staff.

Leavitt began USF's program in 1997. He is 79-47 in 11 seasons and has guided the Bulls to three consecutive bowl games. Last year's club started 6-0, reached No. 2 in The Associated Press and BCS rankings, and finished 9-4 but unranked. USF lost to Oregon 56-21 in the Sun Bowl.

In December, USF agreed to a five-year, $1 million deal for Under Armour to be the athletic department's apparel supplier. Under Armour will provide apparel, accessories, footwear and uniforms for the football, baseball, softball, men's and women's soccer, golf and tennis teams.

The $1 million may be used by the athletic department however Woolard wants and could be used toward helping pay Leavitt's new contract. Woolard also will receive $2,000 worth of Under Armour apparel for his personal use.

If Leavitt agrees to the new deal, he would be the fourth Big East coach - along with Pittsburgh's Dave Wannstedt, Cincinnati's Brian Kelly and UConn's Randy Edsall - to receive contract extensions in the past two months.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

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