DMN Contract extensions up for DD, RV by Regents

[OldTimer]

Extensions considered for Dickey, Villarreal

09:13 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 17, 2005

By BRETT VITO / The Dallas Morning News

DENTON – The UNT Board of Regents will consider new provisions in the contracts of football coach Darrell Dickey and athletic director Rick Villarreal this week.

The board will consider adding one year to Dickey's contract that is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2008. The new contract would include a $100,000 payment if Dickey serves the entire length of the deal. Dickey's base salary of $170,000 is scheduled to increase by five percent on Sept. 1 under the provisions of his old contract and would not change under the new deal.

The board will also consider a one-year extension to Villarreal's contract that is set to expire on May 31, 2009. Villarreal's proposed contract would include raises of $15,000 to his base salary of $155,000 on Sept. 1 and June 1, 2007.

Race for safety slots wide open

Six players are locked in a battle for two starting spots at safety in the Mean Green's defense, UNT coach Darrell Dickey said this week.

The Mean Green lost starters Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton after they earned first- and second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors, respectively, last season. Roderick Cotton and Cliff Higgs opened fall practice as UNT's starters, but have been challenged by a host of newcomers, including Aaron Weathers. The former Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout has earned playing time with the first-team defense.