Cal Football 2022-23 Contracts: Defense
Reviewing the legalese of the staff contracts
Contracts have been underpinning human relations since the time of Plato wherein “The Laws” he wrote that:
"If a man fails to fulfill an agreed contract […] an action for such an unfulfilled agreement should be brought in the tribal courts, if the parties have not previously been able to reconcile their differences before arbitrators (their neighbors, that is)."
Of course, we won’t get into the realm of discussing the legal theory of football contracts or their ilk, today we will look at the 2022-23 contracts for the defensive staff. We will run down the fiscal size of the contracts as well as any interesting clauses or language. These contracts were obtained via a FOIA request by Write For California to the Cal AD.
Note: OLB coach So’oto’s contract was not included in the FOIA request since the request was made before his hire.
Some terms you will encounter in this piece:
Annual Base Salary: Annual base salary prorated monthly
Talent Fee: “
At the sole discretion of the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Coach may be assigned to speak at booster gatherings and related University and Alumni functions, appear on television and radio broadcasts of University sports games and sports shows dedicated to University sports as may be developed, and make other appearances as directed by the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics or Sport Supervisor. Such appearances shall include pre-game and post-game shows connected with game broadcasts.”
Retention Bonus:
“If Coach is employed by the University as Football Assistant Coach continuously for the period from February 1, 2022 through March 1, 2022, Coach shall receive a bonus payment.”
These three terms dictate the sum money amounts owed and paid when we talk about “buy outs” for each coach. Since all of these contracts are 1-year deals there are no annual structures we need to worry about the same way we think of the Wilcox deal.
Performance Bonus:
“Coach may receive the following enumerated performance bonuses for each Contract Year in which such performance is achieved provided Coach is and has been in compliance with the obligations set forth in the Contract, including Paragraphs 2 and 7 thereof, and provided that the team's four year average Academic Progress Rate is ≥ 930.”
We will begin with the general language that is present across all contracts, unless specified otherwise in a coach’s section:
Each contract for the 2022-23 season supersedes and replaces all previous contracts and agreements between the staff member and the University.
“The term of the Contract begins on February 1, 2022, and terminates on
January 31, 2023 subject to the early termination provisions set forth in the Contract.”
On top of football-related responsibilities and performance criteria, they are all charged with:
“relationships with external stakeholders (donors, sponsors, patrons), fulfill all required fundraising activity, and actively participate with Development staff and others to create a development community and support for the Department and the Football program.”
The conduct clause specifies that:
“The parties agree that, although this Contract is sports-related, the primary purpose of the University and its intercollegiate athletics program is educative. Thus, the educative purposes of the University shall have priority in the various provisions of this Contract. Coach’s conduct shall at all times be in a manner consistent with Coach’s position as an instructor of students.”
Buy-out/termination language:
“Except as set forth below, in the event the University terminates this Contract without cause […], the University shall pay to Coach as liquidated damages, in lieu of any and all other legal remedies or equitable relief, the following sum(s):
100% of the base salary, and talent fee, (and retention bonus only for DL Browning) for the remainder of the Term.”
100% of the base salary for the remainder of the Term. (DB Brown, DB Watson)”
Buy out in case a coach is hired by another program or the NFL and that position is a promotion (ex. DC to HC):
“Coach’s career advancement is in the best interest of both parties. Accordingly, the University waives any right to receive liquidated [sic] damages otherwise due pursuant to this Paragraph 13 if Coach terminates this Contract in order to accept any of the following employment position at another Football Bowl Subdivision institution or National Football League”
ex. Peter Sirmon would accept an HC (but not co-HC) position and not owe Cal any “buy out” money. Andrew Browning would accept HC/OC/DC (bot not co-.)position and not owe Cal money.
However, if the coach accepts a position within the Pac-12 and it is a lateral move:
“In the event Coach terminates Coach’s employment to accept another position, […] at another Pac-12 institution, Coach shall pay to the University 100% of the base salary for the remainder of the Term.”
This % goes down to 50% of the lateral move is outside of the Pac-12.
Finally, if a coach is to be released upon the resignation of HC Wilcox:
“If the University chooses to terminate Coach’s employment in such circumstances, University shall pay Coach, as liquidated damages, a lump sum equal to one month of Coach’s base salary and talent fee […], together with all compensation including performance-based compensation earned by Coach prior to the effective date of termination.”
Now, let’s go to the coach-specific details.
DC - Peter Sirmon
Annual Base Salary: $250,000
Talent Fee: $625,000
Signing Bonus: $10,000
Renewal Bonus: $25,000
Total Contract Value pre-performance bonus assuming all payments are made: $910,000
Termination by The University Buy-Out: $875,000
Performance Bonuses
Team Participates in the Pac-12 Championship Game: $15,000
Team Participates in the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, or Peach Bowl: $25,000
Team Participates in the National Championship Game: $10,000
Team Participates in a Bowl Game other those named above: $10,000
DL - Andrew Browning
Annual Base Salary: $250,000
Talent Fee: $55,000
Signing Bonus: $10,000
Retention Bonus: $20,000
Renewal Bonus: $25,000
Total Contract Value pre-performance bonus assuming all payments are made: $360,000
Termination by The University Buy-Out: $325,000
Performance Bonuses
Team Participates in the Pac-12 Championship Game: $15,000
Team Participates in the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, or Peach Bowl: $25,000
Team Participates in the National Championship Game: $10,000
Team Participates in a Bowl Game other those named above: $10,000
DB - Terrence Brown
Annual Base Salary: $175,000 (2022); $250,000 (2023)
Total Contract Value pre-performance bonus assuming all payments are made: $175,000 (2022); $250,000 (2023)
Termination by The University Buy-Out: $175,000 (2022); $250,000 (2023)
Performance Bonuses
Team Participates in the Pac-12 Championship Game: $15,000
Team Participates in the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, or Peach Bowl: $25,000
Team Participates in the National Championship Game: $10,000
Team Participates in a Bowl Game other those named above: $10,000
DB - Travion Watson
Annual Base Salary: $200,000
Hiring Bonus: $25,000
Retention Bonus: $170,000 (2021)
Signing Bonus: $10,000
Total Contract Value pre-performance bonus assuming all payments are made: $405,000
Termination by The University Buy-Out: $200,000
Performance Bonuses
Team Participates in the Pac-12 Championship Game: $15,000
Team Participates in the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, or Peach Bowl: $25,000
Team Participates in the National Championship Game: $10,000
Team Participates in a Bowl Game other those named above: $10,000
Summa Summarum
Total Contract Value pre-performance bonus assuming all payments are made for all defensive coaches sans So’oto: $1.85 million USD.
I really enjoy the "talent fee" that I pay to myself.
Anyone know if that 1-month retention bonus is a quirk of the UC system or a standard coaching thing?