Home › Football
Contract extensions on tap for K-Mac, Hawkins
Salaries for CU football assistants on par with pay at NU, Mizzou
Contract extensions for Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins and women's basketball coach Kathy McConnell-Miller are expected to be discussed by the Board of Regents at its meetings today and Thursday.
STORY TOOLS
RELATED STORIES
More Football
- Young Buffs face pivotal test at KU
- Kansas not just a hoops school under Mangino
- Buffs' offensive line gets Goree
Share and Enjoy [?]
Hawkins' extension is expected to include a $200,000 pay raise, while McConnell-Miller is not expected to receive more money.
The extensions will keep both of them in Boulder for another five years and prevent rivals from being able to use contract status as a negative recruiting tool against either program.
The extensions are expected to be approved barring unexpected opposition.
Hawkins is in his third year leading the Buffs and is under contract through the 2010 season. He earns a guaranteed salary of at least $850,000 annually, but his contract includes multiple incentives that could push the total value to about $1.6 million if all were reached in a single year.
Hawkins new contract would amount to a two-year extension through the 2012season. A buyout clause in the deal also is likely to be renewed, giving the school some protection if Hawkins leaves for another job.
CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard confirmed the regents will discuss the contract proposals but the school will not release the details of any changes until the contracts have been finalized and signed by Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson.
Hawkins said earlier this spring he is not interested in receiving a significant raise with any extension, but he hopes the school will provide raises for his assistant coaches, all of whom are at-will employees and don't have the protection of multi-year contracts.
The perception in recent years has been that CU assistant coaches are underpaid in comparison with their counterparts around the country and in the Big 12. That was more the case during former coach Gary Barnett's tenure, but CU assistants' salaries improved when Hawkins was hired in December 2005.
For instance, offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and defensive coordinator Ron Collins are scheduled to earn $208,000 this year. Five of Hawkins' assistants will make more than $180,000 and eight will make at least $130,000.
Running backs coach Darian Hagan has the least coaching experience but is one of the staff's strongest recruiters. He is paid $88,400.
Hawkins' nine full-time assistants are being paid a total of $1,465,560 for the 2007-08 fiscal year. They are eligible for raises July 1. That total is competitive when compared with the Buffs' arch rival Nebraska.
The nine full-time assistants at Nebraska will make $1,575,000 during their first year under new coach Bo Pelini. When Missouri won its first Big 12 North Division title last year, its nine assistants earned a total of $1,451,396.
McConnell Miller recently began her fourth year at CU. She has a five-year deal set to expire April 28, 2010 and is paid about $370,000. Her new deal would run through the 2013 season.
McConnell-Miller flirted with the possibility of leaving CU earlier this year when she interviewed for the head coaching job at UCLA. Extension talks with CU began shortly after that revelation.
Her contract does not include a buyout clause and she would not have owed CU anything if she took another job.
McConnell-Miller was hired away from Tulsa in 2005 to take over for Ceal Barry, who retired from coaching to take a job as senior women's administrator in the CU athletic department.
McConnell-Miller's team has improved each year with its overall record but hasn't come close to a winning record in conference play, leading some to question whether granting an extension is the right move.
CU athletic director Mike Bohn has said McConnell-Miller has earned a new deal and is making satisfactory progress with her team.
McConnell-Miller was paid a base salary of $158,000 for her first year in Boulder during the 2005-06 season. The contract calls for "salary adjustments" every year on July 1, meaning her base salary now is likely more than what she was paid during her first year.
McConnell-Miller also receives $50,000 annually for radio and television appearances and $64,500 for outreach efforts in the community, $40,000 for work with Nike, Inc. and $35,000 for summer camps.
Football staff base salary
Mark Helfrich, offensive coordinator, $208,000
Ron Collins, defensive coordinator, $208,000
Jeff Grimes, asst head coach/offensive line, $190,000
Kent Riddle, tight ends/special teams, $187,500
Eric Kiesau, wide receivers/passing game, $186,160
Greg Brown, secondary, $137,500
Brian Cabral, asst head coach/linebackers, $130,000
Romeo Bandison, defensive line, $130,000
Darian Hagan, running backs, $88,400
Subtotal, $1,465,560
Jeff Pitman, strength and conditioning, $110,000
Robert Tucker, director of football operations, $65,000
Total, $1,640,560
Posted by flabuff227 on June 4, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
im not sold on collins? i think cabral needs to be promoted.
does anybody know why he hasnt been more than a linebackers coach?
Posted by nwbuff32 on June 4, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Considering that the AD that supported Callahan was fired has very little to do with Hawk's situation.
Once again, FAIL!
Posted by extrapoint on June 4, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"its not an obsession"
"eerie isnt it"
Posted by rodrigo on June 4, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Tall said Hawk needed to win 9 games this season or he'd face the fire?
Guess someone forgot to tell Bohn and the BofR.
Do we need any more evidence that Tall doesn't have a clue about what's going on within the CU football program?
Posted by archalon on June 4, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hagan needs to be paid more - add recruiting coordinator to his title and bump him to 100k
Cabral ? Maybe he doesnt want to be more than a position coach - but if he does, promote him. He deserves it
Tall is an idiot - dont listen to him. The Pedersen\Callahan love fest was dysfunctional at best. Real NU fans didnt want either.
Hawk will be in boulder for a long time and will win - alot
Posted by archalon on June 4, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sad - poor kid was close to turning his life around and went and did something very stupid
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143...
Posted by mainebuff on June 4, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
agree with archalon ... Hagan needs to make at least $100K ... developing as a coach and a GREAT recruiter ... also, an ambassador for the program
Posted by homeontherange on June 4, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hagan should be paid at the level of position coach which looks about 130k. The guy is an asset to the program. The legislature needs to allow long term contracts for the state universities assistant coach positions as well.
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is really sad for Kaufusi. What is up with UTAH pulling pulling out before the kid is even charged? thats just lame I think. Maybe I'm wrong, but shouldn't there be a resolution in the case before you tell a kid he can't come to school
Posted by smokey on June 4, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With Cabral turning down any consideration for the HI head coach position I think the guy is just one of those down-to-earth cats that like working in a "hands on" environment. After AJ Cristoff left back in the day Cabral declined to interview for the d-coordinator spot. I think he'd make an excellent d-coordinator (and I too am not sold on Collins), but i think he just likes where he's at. I bet the guy gets calls from the NFL all the time too.
And here's my impression of Tall: "NU has a athletic program, CU has a athletic program. Nebraska is located in the United States, Colorado is too....."
Posted by flabuff227 on June 4, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
apples and oranges tal. Do you read yor posts after you write them? They have to be jokes in your mind. Know one could be this stupid.
Posted by BEL on June 4, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cabral did get promoted earlier this year. Besides being a linebackers coach, he is also the Associate Head Coach (not the Assistant Head Coach which is the title that Jeff Grimes holds). So, with that promotion Cabral is now the number 2 man in the football program.
Posted by BuffTime on June 4, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He isn't being paid like the no.2 man in the program. I'm not sure that is what "Associate Head Coach" means. Either way he and Hagan are way underpaid.
Cabral showed signs before that he wanted to be a head coach some day. He applied for the Northern Colorado position a few years back. Taking his name out of the Hawaii position had many reasons behind it. First, he saw a program in disrepair and the AD isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Not exactly the dream job everyone assumed it would be for him. Plus he publicly stated that he was excited about the near future for CU and wanted to play his role in it (especially with the incoming recruits who he helped land).
As for Hagan, the guy can recruit. Every program needs their star recruiter. Pay the man. He's loyal and puts it all out their for the program.
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
couldn't agree more. I for one am stoked to see hawkins getting an extention. 5 year? lets make it 10!
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall- Why exactly are you posting that if Hawk doesn't have a good season he should be fired... why do you care? If you think he is so bad , wouldn't you want us to keep him around so that "Bo knows defense" can whoop on him in the near future... time to wake sir. you want him gone because you are scared of what he is doing with our program. you are scared that Nebraska will continue to slide while we are on the rise. the proof is there. get the corn out of your eyes and take a look.
Posted by BEL on June 4, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The salaries published in this article were probably taken from the old budgetary plan and don't necessarily reflect what will occur when a new budgetary plan has been completed.
It is common parlance to use differing titles to identify rank and seniority in the academic community, e.g. Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Professor Emeritus, etc. That being said, an "associate" has a higher rank than an "assistant".
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall- So you claim to be a buff fan and not a husker? are you kidding me????? you are pathetic
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you are a joke... get off our blog and go bother someone else. don't you have a field to farm somewhere in the armpit of america???? GET TO IT and quit spewing your filth
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on June 4, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall - You seem like a guy who's a Buffs fan but not a Hawkins (coach and son) fan and I can respect that. We don't all drink the same Kool-Aid.
Seriously, and maybe you already answered this sometime in the past, who do you think should have been picked as the Buffs head coach?
Posted by extrapoint on June 4, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
of course Tall is a buff fan
after the OU game he went bowhunting out of season.
a lot of us might agree with your Cabral selection but most of us all realize you are now pandering.
too bad you cant go to the doctor and get a character injection
Posted by SnowBuff on June 4, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are such a Troll JESUS
Posted by BuffSteve on June 4, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If everyone dislikes tallisall and thinks he's an idiot then why do you all keep reinforcing his posts by responding to them? He's probably sitting at his computer laughing his a** off because he's getting under your skin and getting you all fired up. Which is likely exactly what he wants. Pretty funny in my opinion!
Posted by MarquetteBuff on June 4, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's stupid about these contract extensions is that they are so one-sided. Not that he would, but if Hawk wants to leave for another school, the contract extension won't stop him. On the other hand, if Hawk doesn't work out, CU has to pay him a multi-million dollar settlement to get rid of him. I would love to see a multi-million dollar buyout clause to deter other programs from trying to lure him away.
Posted by BEL on June 4, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MarquetteBuff, if you reread the article again, you will see that CU does have a buyout clause in effect. If Hawk wants to voluntarily depart and jump to another school, he will have to indemnify CU. On the other hand, if CU takes the initiative to terminate Hawk, CU will probably have to pay for a severance package. However, the severance package will not even remotely approach the $3 million that Barnett walked away with. CU has learned its lesson well. Mike Bohn is no Dick Tharp, the former AD who handed out bonuses like candy -- often without linking bonuses to performance goals.
Posted by skipples4u on June 4, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thought you all would enjoy this new video....
bleed black and gold baby!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP8ijG...
Posted by montanabuff on June 4, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks, skipples4u, for the link, it is outstanding! Did you put that together, or can you tell us who did?
It's time to get psyched for the season - the number of posts on the Buff stories this week are a good indication that we are ready.
Go Buffs!
www.cuatthegame.com
Posted by thustra on June 4, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Tali, I have one for you:
Q: What does the "N" stand for on the Nebraska helmet?
A: "Nowledge"
GO BUFFS!
Posted by skipples4u on June 5, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Montana- No i didn't put it together, wish I did though. Im not sure who did, just found it on Youtube.
Posted by archalon on June 5, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What's to talk about Cabral ? If he wanted the job, he'd have said so or left. Leave they guy alone. Not everyone in coaching wants to be the top guy. Until Cabral makes it known he wants something else, let him be.
Posted by dabuffs50 on June 5, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Tall is trying to insinuate that Cabral is in some way unhappy. If that were the case, he would have jumped ship to Hawaii this offseason. Cabral is sticking around for a reason.
Posted by smokey on June 6, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're just anxious, Tall. I am too. We all are. It takes time to re-build an entire athletic department from the ground up. We're only beginning year 3 of the football project. At this point the positives are now outweighing the negatives (MUCH better recruiting, facilities enhancements, depth, being one of the first big-name programs to truely rebuild in the new era of the now-regulated NCAA, etc.)
Cabral is arguably the best developmental linebacker coach out there (college or pro). But neither he, nor his colleagues have ever put him on the track to become a D1 head coach. He and Hagen SHOULD be paid more; but we all get the sense that (as BEL stated) the associate titles/promotions in alignment with the new budgetary plan put Cabral (hopefully hagen too) in a position where they will be well taken care of. As things stand CU has, at the very least, a sustainable model in place. And it's looking a whole lot like one that can be very successful as well.
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.