With the signatures of Ohio President Roderick McDavis and new men's basketball coach Jim Christian, the OU basketball program officially ushered in a new coaching era Monday.
Christian, formerly of Texas Christian University, was announced as the Bobcats’ coach this spring, but technicalities kept him from officially signing on as head of the program.
Christian and McDavis inked their names beside Ohio Director of Athletics Jim Schaus, who had signed five days prior, on a five-year, $425,000 deal.
Christian will make $325,000 in base salary, and the remaining $100,000 will come from TV, radio and public appearances.
He will earn an additional $10,000 if the Bobcats were to win the Mid-American Conference Championship, regular-season crowd or an NCAA Tournament game.
At the end of each season, Christian will earn a “longevity bonus” of $100,000.
Each of Christian’s potential salary additions would be received within 30 days of the season’s conclusion, and would be one-time payments.
Ohio will pay at least $292,000 annually for Christian’s coaching staff, which includes three assistant coaches and a director of basketball operations.
The contract also protects both sides should the agreement be terminated early.
