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YSU extends Wolford’s contract
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford signed a one-year contract extension on Tuesday that will keep him with the Penguins through next season.
Although technically a two-year agreement retroactive to March 1, the contract only extends Wolford for one season since he was already under contract this fall. The extension expires on Feb. 28, 2016.
Wolford will be paid a base salary of $213,894 along with $50,000 in marketing compensation for things like television and radio shows, speaking engagements and sponsorships.
Wolford made $200,000 in the first year of his original contract, signed in 2010, but he has since received raises, increasing his salary to roughly the $214,000 amount. As in his original contract, Wolford can receive performance bonuses. The new contract calls for a $3,000 bonus if he wins a league title, $3,000 for each playoff game and $20,000 for a national championship.
The contract, which was provided to the Vindicator on Friday, allows YSU to buy out Wolford’s final season for $100,000 if he finishes with a 7-5 record or worse. The buyout increases to $150,000 if he goes 8-4 with no playoff appearance, $200,000 if he goes 9-3 with no playoff appearance and his $213,894 base salary if he makes the playoffs. In each case, the university would be required to pay his marketing compensation and bonuses, if applicable.
Wolford is 24-21 in four seasons at YSU, including a career-best 8-4 mark in 2013.