Mark Helfrich has signed a five-year extension at Oregon
Mark Helfrich has signed a five-year, $17.5 million extension to remain at Oregon, the school announced Monday evening. That's $3.5 million a year reaching for your smart phone calculator apps.
"Mark has provided tremendous leadership of our football program and the values and character that he insists upon are in line with our mission as an institution," athletics director Rob Mullens said in a statement. "The success of our student-athletes on the field and in the classroom will continue with Mark's leadership and we are thrilled that he will stay at home in Oregon for a long time to come."
In terms of slam-dunk extensions, this one feels like Dirk Nowitzki re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks time and time again. It's two sides recognizing their artisan-crafted match in the other.
Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman also reported Mullens has signed a six-year extension of his own. In a news-y day for the Ducks, Oregon also announced the transfer of All-American Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams.
Helfrich earned an even $2 million in 2014 before incentives according to USA Today's coaching salary database, good for 51st nationally - one spot below Colorado's Mike MacIntyre. The new deal elevates Helfrich to $3.15 million in 2015, which would've ranked 22nd nationally in 2014, between Clemson's Dabo Swinney and Baylor's Art Briles. Helfrich's pay will rise to $3.8 million by 2019, with an automatic one-year rollover should he lead the Ducks to an 11-win season and a New Year's Six victory.
Should Helfrich take another job, he'd owe $3 million for leaving in 2015-16, $2 million after the 2017 season, and $1 million thereafter.
Helfrich's 24-4 start is the best in school history and second-best in Pac-12 history.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
