College Sports: Auburn signs Tuberville to new 7-year contract

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has signed a new seven-year contract that will pay him $2 million this year and increase by $200,000 each successive year.

Tuberville and the school agreed in principle to the deal in December, about a week before the Tigers completed a 13-0 season with a 16-13 victory over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

The contract announced Thursday by the school will pay Tuberville a base salary of $210,000, with the remainder coming from endorsements and radio and television deals. Tuberville's previous package was worth $1.5 million.

"From the fan support, to the community, to the support of the administration, all the resources are in place to consistently win championships," Tuberville told The Birmingham News. "I am looking forward to many more successful seasons at Auburn."

Auburn's buyout and Tuberville's penalty for leaving is $7 million for the first two years of the contract, $6 million for 2007-08, $5 million for 2009, $4 million for 2010 and $3 million for 2011.

The contract also has incentives: $50,000 for 10 victories or more, $100,000 for an undefeated regular season, $100,000 for playing in the Southeastern Conference championship game, $150,000 for winning the SEC championship and $300,000 for winning a national title.

There are also incentives for achieving the NCAA's academic success rate and for graduation rates.

Tuberville is 51-24 in six seasons at Auburn. Last season, he led the No. 2 Tigers to the most wins in school history.

The Birmingham News reported Auburn also gave its eight returning assistant coaches raises making the staff one of the highest paid in the Southeastern Conference. The salaries for the assistant coaches range from $175,000 to $290,000 next season.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

ESPN

And to think, last year they were figuring on firing him. i guess they figured out he was a good coach, and good for them he's on my A list of college coaches. If they hadn't resigned him, there would have been a line out his office of teams ready to snatch him up.