Spring Break
Our Take
Majority opinions of The Red & Black's editorial board
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Opinions
Coach's contract
Two clauses in Mark Fox's contract stand out as especially important.Upon further review of new men's basketball coach Mark Fox's contract, the editorial board both applauds and questions a couple of the clauses.
The first clause that came to our attention was clause No. 6, which says, "[Fox] will be provided with two cars," and that the Athletic Association will pay "a maximum of $3,000 annually for insurance and other expenses for both cars."
Two cars? We realize the Athletic Association is rolling in the dough and can shell it out on a whim, but this is unnecessary. We're sure Fox already has at least one car, if not two. Why does the Athletic Association feel obligated to provide him more?
And are these cars the University already owns, or is it going to actually buy two cars? The contract does not explicitly say either way, but still - we're just pointing out the extravagance.
One clause we do like, however, is clause No. 9 - the buyout clause.
If Fox resigns for any reason or if he pursues another job at a different school before his six-year contract expires, "he will be obligated to pay $2 million to the [Athletic] Association."
Talk about a protection clause. Fox's contract is worth only $1.3 million.
Although there is virtually no loyalty these days in college football and men's basketball, that is quite a clause - especially for a school with relatively no prestige.
He enters with almost zero expectations, and if he comes in and wins SEC titles within a few years, makes an NCAA Tournament or two and another school comes calling, Fox will think twice before leaving.
Although that does not seem likely, especially in a weak conference such as the SEC, it is not impossible, and if it happens, Evans will look like a genius.
- Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Winfield J. Abbe
posted 4/07/09 @ 6:47 AM EST
None of the faculty members at UGA have the courage to speak up, using their true identity, and express what they truly think about all this and basketball coaches and football coaches paid millions of dollars a year. (Continued…)
Paul Westerdawg
posted 4/07/09 @ 10:34 AM EST
The basketball coach at Kentucky makes over $4 million per year. The coach at Florida makes over $3.4 million per year.
Mark Fox gets a $1.3 million per year contract, and you find issue with an extra car which might be valued at $30,000? You might as well have said you don't like the font size of the contract document if you're going to debate such a minor point. (Continued…)
Sam
posted 4/07/09 @ 10:45 AM EST
True that, Paul. Fox's contract doesn't even compare to some of the lights-out deals that some coaches have. And if someone were to take offense to this NOW, they obviously haven't been paying attention to Athletics for the past twenty or so years. (Continued…)
Carey
posted 4/07/09 @ 2:44 PM EST
Just so you know, the cars provided typically do not cost the University anything. Having spent 4 years working at a car dealership in Gainesville (who provided cars to assistant football coaches) these cars are loaned to them in exchange for tickets, appearances at the dealership by the coach and other perks provided by the athletic association, it is really a great deal for the UGAA to offer a car to a coach as an incentive. (Continued…)
Bricks
posted 4/07/09 @ 6:21 PM EST
Considering UGA having so many top athletic programs in the country, the sports writing for the Red and Black is terrible.
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