A look at Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Fox’s contract

Mark Fox became the next Men’s Basketball coach at the University of California, Berkeley earlier this spring. AD Jim Knowlton told the media at Fox’s introductory press conference that it was a five-year deal, but other than that the terms of the contract were not announced. After the contract was signed earlier this month, we were able to obtain a copy of the agreement. Let’s take a look at the terms of the deal and where that puts Cal in relation to the rest of the Pac-12.

Length

Fox’s contract begins April 1st, 2019 and ends on March 31, 2024. April 1st marks the start of a new contract year from 2020 onward.

Salary

Fox’s starting salary for the upcoming season is at $1.5 million (which is made up of a base salary and a talent fee). His talent fee then increases $75,000 every year for the duration of the contract. His salary for the final year of the contract will be $1.8 million.

Incentives

Fox’s contract also includes some bonuses for achievements on and off the court. Fox could receive a bonus of $345,000 for on-court success and awards if he were to succeed in every accomplishment. These include: winning 20 games, winning the Pac-12 regular season, winning the Pac-12 tournament, NCAA tourney selection, wins at the NCAA tourney, winning the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award, and winning the National Coach of the Year award.

Fox has bonuses for keeping the student athletes in-check with their academics. He can earn up to $50,000 if the team maintains a GPA at or above 2.70. He is also eligible for a bonus of up to $45,000 if the APR is at or above 960.

Fox received a $100,000 hiring bonus and has two retention bonuses if he is retained halfway through years three and five of the contract.

Termination of Contract and Buy-Out

If Fox decides to leave for another job or quit, then he (or the next employer) is responsible to buy out his contract by paying Cal; this begins at $3 million after year 1, becomes $2 million after year 2, $1 million after year 3, and $500,000 after year 4. If he were to be fired without cause, he would receive 100% of his salary the contract year he was fired and the year after. If more than two years remain on the contract, the percentage shrinks to 75%, then 50%, and then 25% for each subsequent year.

Pac-12 Comparison

The list below is from USA Today’s release of Men’s Basketball Coaches salaries in 2019. If these salaries were to hold, Fox would be the second-to-lowest paid HC on the list.

*USC and Stanford do not have to report their salaries as private institutions

#1: Utah’s Larry Krystkowiak: $3.6 million

#2: Oregon’s Dana Altman: $2.8 million

#3: Arizona’s Sean Miller: $2.7 million

#4: UCLA’s Steve Alford: $2.65 million (fired)

#5: Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley: $2.4 million

#6: Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle: $2.1 million

#7: Washington’s Mike Hopkins: $1.9 million

#8: Colorado’s Tad Boyle: $1.8 million

#9: Washington State’s Ernie Kent: $1.4 million (fired)

#10: Cal’s Wyking Jones: $1 million (fired)