COLLEGE FOOTBALL Ohio St. replaces Tressel's contract

He still isn't the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has signed a new six-year contract that will pay him at least $1.3 million the first year and escalate to $1.8 million in the final year.
Tressel still will be earning less than several top coaches, including a couple in the Big Ten Conference, but he said Monday, "Shoot, I couldn't be happier."
The new deal comes after Tressel, in his second year at Ohio State, led the Buckeyes to their first national championship since 1968 with a 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
The deal, which replaces his contract that would have expired after the 2005 season, includes a base salary of $285,700 that increases to $405,300 in the sixth year.
Tressel will earn $420,000 from radio, television and public relations and $335,000 from the university's deal with Nike in the first year. Both amounts will increase yearly. The contract includes a signing bonus of $200,000.
Ohio State President Karen Holbrook's salary is $325,000 a year.
Incentives
Tressel had a base salary of $205,000 for 2002. With his pay for doing TV and radio shows, summer camps and other benefits, his total salary was conservatively estimated at more than $645,000.
The new contract contains bonuses tied to the academic performance of the team, but at Tressel's request, the only athletic bonus is an additional $200,000 if the Buckeyes play in the BCS championship game. His old contract had several athletic bonuses, including additional money for winning the Big Ten championship and for winning nine games.
"I just would rather not have a whole bunch of incentives," Tressel said Monday. "I've got enough incentive. I love Ohio State, and that's enough for me."
Around the Big Ten, several coaches are known to have higher annual compensation, including Wisconsin's Barry Alvarez, at $1.4 million, and Michigan State's John L. Smith, $1.5 million. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is paid around $800,000 per year.
"My biggest thing is I want to work hard and make sure I do a good job with what I've been blessed to sign a contract for," Tressel said. "What other guys do, I'm not going to worry too much about that."
Tressel has compiled a record of 21-5 in his first two years at Ohio State, including an NCAA-record 14-0 last year. Several organizations named him national coach of the year.
The contract could be extended for three years if agreement is reached by March 1, 2006.