WKU FB coach gets contract with 1A clause

[MeanGreen61]

Post from Sun Belt board by galojay

Coach's contract adds I-A pay raise

One WKU regent says football moving toward promotion without discussion

By BRIAN WHITE, The Daily News, bwhite@bgdailynews.com/783-3243

Thursday, January 19, 2006 12:16 PM CST

FRANKFORT - The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents approved football coach David Elson's new contract Wednesday, but not before one regent raised concerns over the possibility of a move from Division I-AA to I-A.

Elson's contract contains two large raises - one in 2007 and one in 2008 - that will go into effect should the Hilltoppers become a I-A team. I-A is the most competitive level of college football.

That provision caught the attention of Regent Robert Dietle, the faculty's representative on the board.

He asked Western President Gary Ransdell and Athletics Director Wood Selig if the provision meant Western is committed to becoming a I-A team.

Ransdell and other officials have demurred on the issue for some time, Dietle said. He said there should be public discussion of any switch before it happens.

“The actions suggest we're moving pretty rapidly in this discussion,” Dietle said.

Ransdell and Selig said no definite plans are in place for such a move, and that the raise provision is in place so Elson would be appropriately paid if he becomes a I-A coach.

“I prefer to have a contract with a coach that prepares for all contingencies,” Ransdell said.

If the team does not become I-A, Elson's raises will be based on a review of his performance.

Although the football team has a standing invitation from the Sun Belt Conference to join as a I-A program, Western is not close to making that decision, Ransdell said after the meeting.

Ransdell said he is not trying to hide discussions about such a move, but that he would prefer to talk about it if an actual plan was being considered.

“I'm happy to discuss anything, but I'd rather discuss specifics,” Ransdell said.

Dietle voted against Elson's contract because of the I-A provisions, the only regent to do so.

“I can't support anything that will make that more likely until we have a more open discussion on campus,” Dietle said after the meeting.

Regent Larry Zielke abstained from the vote, saying he supported the contract, but was philosophically opposed to arbitration clauses, which Elson's contract contains. The clause states that any disputes over Elson's contract will be settled by arbitration.

Elson's new contract also contains a provision that would give him a piece of land on Barren River Lake if he remains as football coach until June 30, 2010.

The land, one of about 60 parcels donated to the university, was an incentive to ensure continuity for the football program, Ransdell and Selig said.

Elson's new contract expires on June 30, 2009, but it contains a provision that allows it to be extended one year at a time through the 2012 season.

Most of the land parcels, which are undeveloped, are to be sold to support the football program, Ransdell said.

All but about 20 have already been sold, raising $515,000, according to the quarterly gift report given at the meeting.

Elson's new contract was negotiated in the middle of his original contract, which did not expire until 2007.

Elson's original contract had a base salary of $95,000 for the 2003 season, with raises based on performance reviews.

The new contract, retroactive to the 2005 season, raised his pay for that season to $130,000, an increase of nearly 37 percent from 2003.

The new contract raises his salary by 15 percent to $150,000 in 2006.

If the football team does become Division I-A, he will receive a nearly 17 percent raise to $175,000 in 2007 and an 11 percent raise to $195,000 in 2008.

The I-A provisions start in 2007 because that is the first season that the team could conceivably rise to that level, Selig said.

Selig said the new contract was negotiated because of Elson's performance on and off the field.

“He's done a real good job beyond just coaching the team,” Selig said. “He's done a real good job marketing and selling the team to the community.”

In addition to Elson's leading the Hilltoppers to a 9-4 season in 2003, 9-3 in 2004 and 6-5 in 2005, Selig said season ticket sales have grown by 50 percent and average game attendance has risen by 4,500 since Elson took over.

[MeanGreenBuzz]

I wouldn't mind adding WKU to football. I think they have alot of upside and would really help MTSU in attendance.

[DeepGreen]

“He's done a real good job marketing and selling the team to the community.”

Are coaches suppose to do this?

[EagleD]

“He's done a real good job marketing and selling the team to the community.”

Are coaches suppose to do this?

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Only the ones worth their weight.

GO MEAN GREEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GreenEddieNT]

I wouldn't mind adding WKU to football.  I think they have alot of upside and would really help MTSU in attendance.

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I think WKU is reading the tea leaves. CUSA will probably have at least one opening by 2010 but they won't add anyone who does not play 1-A football. If the hilltoppers move to 1-A they have as good a chance as anyone at being invited to CUSA because of their basketball tradition, fan support, and facilities.