The 2011–12 season was likely the most successful in the history of Ohio Athletics, but the following summer was just as instrumental in securing future Bobcat success.
Within a five-day period in late July, Ohio Director of Athletics Jim Schaus signed the leaders of Ohio’s most prominent programs into contracts that last through 2017.
Though introduced almost four months earlier as the Bobcats’ new men’s basketball coach, Jim Christian signed the dotted line on July 30. Three days earlier, football coach Frank Solich agreed on a retooled deal that will keep him in Athens for five years longer than his initial contract stated.
“There is no better college football coach in the country than Frank Solich,” Schaus said in a statement released Thursday. “He is instrumental in building one of the most successful eras in Ohio Athletics history.”
Ohio has a lot invested in its two top coaches — a combined $870,000 in base salary, not to mention $150,000 in longevity and retention bonuses, some of which will begin following the 2013 season.
Solich, who may now be better known for his tenure on the Ohio sidelines than his time at the helm for Nebraska, will earn a $275,000 retention bonus on Dec. 31.
His new deal is worth $445,000 annually, and he will receive retention bonuses of $50,000 at the conclusion of each of the 2013–16 seasons.
Christian will earn $100,000 each season through radio, TV and public appearances in addition to his $325,000 base
salary.
At the conclusion of each season, he will pocket a $100,000 retention bonus, as well.
“We believe that there’s a certain market value that a head coach has,” said OU President Roderick McDavis in a previous Post article about Christian’s contract.
jr992810@ohiou.edu
