Strong gets new contract from Louisville
Louisville's Charlie Strong is getting a raise that could move him in the ranks of the 10 highest-paid coaches in college football.
The school approved a new eight-year contract Wednesday that guarantee Strong an annual income of $3.7 million plus performance bonuses that include $1.25 million plus a $1 million annuity if he is still coach on June 30, 2015, another $1 million in 2016 and $200,000 in 2017 and 2018.
Other bonuses are $50,000 for being ranked in the Top 10 and $100,000 for making a BCS bowl and $75,000 for a team GPA of 3.0 or better.
The contract includes a buyout that requires Strong to pay in the event that he leaves early -- as much as $5 million if he should do so in 2013 -- for another job.
Strong's previous base pay was $2.3 million per year.
After leading Louisville to an 11-2 record in 2012 and a Sugar Bowl victory over Florida, Strong was pursued by Tennessee and reportedly was offered a contract valued at $3.5 million per year.
