Golden Nuggets: Cal Releases Art Kaufman's Contract Details

As TwistNHook helpfully illustrated last year, Andy Buh's fully guaranteed contract turned into a financial nightmare for Cal.  Art Kaufman's contract details have been released and I'm pleased to see that the days of fully guaranteed DC contracts have come to an end!  Despite the $1 million we owe Buh over the next two years, the staff gave Kaufman a hefty, competitive salary.

Kaufman, 55, who came to Cal from Cincinnati, will cost Cal more in the short term, but less if the two part ways before his two-year contact ends.

Kaufman will earn $225,000 in base salary each season, plus a $325,000 talent fee. He will receive the entirety of his $550,000 annual salary if fired anytime before the end of his first season, but only $340,000 if dismissed prior to the end of the second season.

If Kaufman decides to leave Cal prior to April 30, 2015, he must pay the university $75,000.

Kaufman’s salary is line with others at his position in the Pac-12 Conference. He’ll earn more than new Washington defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski ($485,000), but less than UW paid Justin Wilcox ($750,000) in 2013. Wilcox left Washington after last season, following coach Steve Sarkisian to USC.

Kaufman can earn bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 if the Bears play in various bowl games. He will earn $25,000 if Cal’s 2014 defense is ranked among the nation’s top-50 in fewest points per game allowed, and $25,000 if the ’15 squad is ranked among the top-25.

Like fellow coordinator Tony Franklin, Kaufman is only on the books through 2015.  This will put Cal in a better financial situation should Cal decide to part ways with Sonny Dykes and company after next season.

Volleyball

• The Bears lost to Slovenia in the opener of their four-team tournament.  Cal plays the Chinese Junior National Team on Tuesday morning.

Crew

• Ten members of the women's team earned Pac-12 All-Academic honors.  In order to qualify, members must have a significant role on the team and earn a GPA above 3.0.
• The women's team won the varsity four national title but finished second to national champion Ohio State.
• The men's team boasts 13 Pac-12 All-Academics.
• The men's team won national titles in second varsity eight and third varsity eight, but fell four points shy of overall champion Washington.

Golf

• Cal Golf alumni James Hahn, Michael Kim, and Eric Mina fell short of qualifying for the U.S. Open.  They were among 10 Golden Bears (past, present, and future) in the qualifying round.

Baseball

• Nick Halamandaris earned a First-Team Pac-12 All-Academic nod.

Rugby

• Cal defeated the Golden Bears of Kutztown to capture the programs second CRC 7s national championship.
• Have an extra 15 minutes? Watch the championship match here!

Basketball

• Travis DeCuire has returned to his alma mater to coach the Montana Grizzlies.  He will earn $140k per year for three years.
• 22 Feet Academy point guard Brandon Chauca signed with Cal.

Football

• Uncle Ted ponders how Cal's defense (along with Oregon State's defense and Wazzu's defense) can rebound in 2014.
• What did Uncle Ted and Cousin Kev get right in their 2013 preseason predictions? Is it possible that they managed to overrate Cal?