SEATTLE — College sports have become big business in the U.S., and University of Washington fans got a stark reminder of that over the past few weeks.
Former head coach Kalen DeBoer left UW for Alabama to replace Nick Saban, arguably the greatest college football coach of all time. UW swiftly replaced DeBoer with Jedd Fisch, who more than doubled his salary after coming to Seattle from the University of Arizona.
KING 5 has acquired the details of Fisch's first contract with the school and found some interesting notes worth highlighting.
Fisch more than doubles his 2023 salary
As much as Arizona fans lament their coach leaving them after just three seasons and just a year after signing a contract extension, it is hard to imagine many people would turn down a 150% increase in base pay.
Fisch was due to make $3.4 million in 2024 from Arizona per FootballScoop and will now make $7.5 million in his first season with the Huskies. That number will go up by $75,000 for each year of the contract, although head coach contracts frequently are re-negotiated every few years.
In the extremely unlikely event that Fisch remains on the same contract for the entire duration of the seven-year deal agreed to this month, Fisch will earn just under $8 million in base pay for the 2030-31 season.
Bonus structure
DeBoer reportedly earned over $1 million in bonuses after all of UW's success in 2023, and Fisch will have a similar opportunity to earn extra cash depending on his team's performance.
Fisch will earn a tiered bonus based on the team's Academic Progress Rate (APR), which was created by the NCAA to hold schools accountable for the performance of their players in the classroom. He could earn as much as $125,000 if UW reaches a certain mark on the APR scale.
There is a $150,000 bonus if the Huskies qualify for the Big Ten Championship Game under Fisch, and he would earn an additional $200,000 if Washington wins said championship game.
With the new 12-team postseason structure coming in 2024, Fisch will earn $300,000 if UW qualifies for the College Football Playoff. An extra $175,000 will be warranted for every win Fisch has in the CFP as well, all the way up to the national championship game.
Buyout
The University of Alabama had to pay $12 million to acquire DeBoer's services from UW. If Fisch ends up taking a job elsewhere before Jan. 8, 2025, his new employer would have to send the same amount to UW to buy out Fisch's contract.
The buyout amount decreases as the contract ages, with it being $10 million if Fisch leaves before 2026, $6 million before 2027, $5 million before 2028, $3 million before 2029 and $1 million before 2030.
Fisch has spent an average of 1.5 years at each of his coaching roles over his career, so it wouldn't be too surprising to see him exit within the next seven years and require a buyout.
Although UW received the $12 million payment from Alabama, just under half of that will have to be conveyed to Arizona for Fisch's buyout from his contract there, which was $5.5 million.
Additional perks
In addition to the seven-figure salary, head coaches at major universities also tend to have extra benefits included in the contract.
Fisch will have access to up to two courtesy vehicles from UW for personal and professional use. The coach would have to pay the insurance on the vehicles, per the contract language.
Access to a country club membership is also included, with dues and expenses to be paid by the university when the membership is used for professional purposes. The contract says any "personal expenses" will be Fisch's responsibility.
UW also agreed to cover travel expenses for Fisch's immediate family to all non-conference, conference and post-season competitions, as well as other potential travel at the discretion of the athletic director.
Fisch will receive a lump sum of $200,000 for relocation expenses as well. UW provided the initial flight and temporary accommodations for Fisch and his family for up to 90 days. Fisch will have to return the money to the University if he leaves the position or is terminated with cause within a year after receiving the relocation money.