Report: NCAA probation triggered extension in Penn State coach's contract

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien reportedly has received an automatic four-year contract extension that was triggered by the university being placed on probation this week by the NCAA.

The first-year coach negotiated a clause in his contract gave him a longer deal for every year the school lost bowl eligibility or had scholarships reduced, according to ESPN.com, which obtained a copy of the agreement.

The contract, which was originally a five-year deal, states the former New England Patriots assistant coach will get 2016 compensation for 2017-20 seasons as a result of the sanctions handed to Penn State this week. The school received a four-year bowl ban and a 20-scholarship reduction during that period.

The penalties were in response to the Freeh Report, an independent investigation that found the athletic department had no institutional control and allowed free reign to convicted child-sex abuser Jerry Sandusky.

The deal was signed Jan. 6, after O'Brien was hired to replace longtime coach Joe Paterno but after the arrest and investigation of Sandusky, a former assistant coach at Penn State.