Times staff, wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn's Gene Chizik received a hefty new contract that makes him one of college football's highest-paid coaches.
The deal is worth $3.5 million a year through 2015, with incentives worth $1 million more, the school said Friday. Chizik, 49, a Clearwater native, was rewarded for leading the Tigers to their first national title since 1957 in just his second season.
He made $2.1 million last season but received $1.3 million in bonuses after the 14-0 season.
"We believe that we have the best coach in college football," athletic director Jay Jacobs said.
Chizik, a former Auburn and Texas defensive coordinator, is 22-5 in two years with Auburn.
"I want to thank president (Jay) Gogue and Jay Jacobs for their leadership and vision and believing in the direction that we have established for the Auburn football program," Chizik said.
The raise doesn't quite push Chizik close to Alabama's Nick Saban, who makes $4.7 million a year with bonuses. Other well-paid coaches (all yearly): Texas' Mack Brown ($5 million), Oklahoma's Bob Stoops ($4.3 million), LSU's Les Miles ($3.75 million) and Arkansas' Bobby Petrino ($3.56 million).
Stewart out at W.Va.: West Virginia coach Bill Stewart resigned over "conduct detrimental to the university," and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, considered the coach in waiting, will be promoted, the school said. Stewart is part of an NCAA infractions case against the program, charged with "failure to monitor."
Ex-Gator Myles dies: Godfrey Myles, 42, a Miami native who played linebacker and safety for Florida from 1987 to 1990, died Friday after suffering a massive heart attack Wednesday, UF said. Mr. Myles was a team captain and first-team All-SEC selection at safety in his senior season in 1990 after being a Sporting News honorable mention All-American at linebacker in 1989. He was a third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 and was primarily a special teams player and backup linebacker with them until 1996.
Pryor saga: The relationship between former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Columbus businessman Dennis Talbott, who is accused of giving Pryor money for signed memorabilia, dates to at least 2008, ESPN reported. Pryor and Talbott played golf together several times that year, before Pryor began his first season with the Buckeyes. It wasn't clear who paid for the $80- to $100-a-round guest fees at the private course at which Talbott was a member, but it would be an NCAA violation if Talbott had. On Tuesday, Pryor gave up his senior season amid an NCAA investigation.
Michigan: Receiver Darryl Stonum was sentenced to two years probation for operating while visibly impaired. Stonum, suspended indefinitely after his arrest May 6, was ticketed for driving with a suspended license Thursday.
Troubled programs: Outgoing athletics director Mike Hamilton, former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former football coach Lane Kiffin are part of a Tennessee contingent that will meet with the NCAA's Committee on Infractions today to defend themselves and the university against 12 charges of major violations after two years of being investigated. Pearl was fired in March, and Hamilton said Tuesday that he will resign this month. Kiffin left Tennessee in January 2010 after news of a possible investigation into the football program was made public and is now coaching at USC. … Boise State met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions to discuss violations by its football program, men's and women's tennis and track and field. The school issued self-imposed penalties over 22 infractions.
Basketball: Missouri will play Missouri Southern in an exhibition Oct. 30 in Joplin, Mo., to benefit victims of a tornado May 22. Proceeds from the "One State, One Spirit Classic" will support rebuilding efforts.
Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.