Saturday, May 05, 2001
Tubby gets $1 million bonus
Enquirer staff, wire reports
LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith's six-year contract includes a $1million bonus should he remain for the length of the deal.
The contract is worth about $1.5million annually, and it was approved Friday by university president Charles Wethington. Smith signed the contract Wednesday, nearly a month after athletic director Larry Ivy announced an agreement. “As I've said on numerous occasions, this is the best job in college basketball, and this is where I want to coach,” Smith said.
Smith signed a five-year contract to succeed Rick Pitino before the 1997-98 season. After leading the Wildcats to their seventh national championship in his inaugural season, the school ex tended the contract another year.
The new contract replaces the two years remaining on his old deal, worth $1.2 million annually.
“We know we've got one of the best coaches in America, and we're glad he's here,” Ivy said.
In his four years at Kentucky, Smith has compiled a 110-33 record and won three Southeastern Conference titles. The Wildcats finished 24-10 last season, falling to Southern California 80-76 in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.
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