Huggins to earn $800K per year from five-year contract

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas State basketball coach Bob Huggins will earn at least $800,000 per year in guaranteed compensation the first three years of his five-year contract, provided he does nothing "which results in material injury to the reputation of the university."


The 52-year-old Huggins signed a contract with the Wildcats on Friday, ending two months of haggling between Huggins' attorney, Richard Katz, and university officials.


The contract was obtained Monday by The Associated Press.


It will pay him $900,000 for the fourth year and $1 million in the final year and includes an additional $1 million annuity payable upon completion of the five-year deal "as an additional incentive" for Huggins to remain at Kansas State.


Huggins can also earn nearly $500,000 in bonuses, including $25,000 for conference regular-season and tournament championships; postseason incentives including $10,000 for each victory up to $100,000 for a national title; $50,000 for being named NABC or Associated Press coach of the year; and $25,000 if the program sells out all of its home games.


Fringe benefits include the use of two courtesy cars, membership in the Manhattan Country Club, playing privileges at Colbert Hills Golf Course and a signing bonus of $30,000.


"I never had any concern whatsoever that we wouldn't work out the details," Huggins said in a statement Friday. "I accepted the position of head men's basketball coach at Kansas State because of the people here and gave them my word. We've been working hard since that moment."


Huggins is 567-199 in 24 seasons, including going 399-127 at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1992 Final Four.


But after his run, Huggins was out of work for a year after Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher refused to extend his four-year contract rollover, citing image problems that he caused the university following his arrest and conviction for drunken driving in 2004.


Huggins, who had a heart attack in September 2002, received a $3 million settlement from Cincinnati when his contract wasn't renewed.


Kansas State can terminate Huggins' new deal if he is convicted of any criminal offense involving fraud, a felony or an act that causes harm to the school's reputation, although it does not discuss specifics or Huggins' past.


Huggins, who replaced Jim Wooldridge after a 15-13 season, has already had to deal with off-the-court issues involving his players.


Leading scorer Cartier Martin, a second-team All-Big 12 choice last season, was suspended from the team indefinitely for unspecified conduct violations. Mario Taybron, a reserve guard, was dismissed from the team for violating the policy on substance abuse.


But the contract also gives Huggins plenty of freedom, including the ability to build his own schedule.


He's already begun putting together a more demanding non-conference lineup, including games at Conference USA power Xavier and in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic in December.


Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press