FAU’s new coach will be its highest paid employee — ever.
Howard Schnellenberger used to be the highest paid, raking in $400,405 per year — he founded the football team in 2001 and was its only coach since. Two days after Schnellenberger’s final game on Dec. 3, FAU has officially announced his successor: Carl Pelini.
Pelini’s contract was released today.
The former Nebraska defensive coordinator will be making a minimum of $450,000 a year. The contract begins on Dec. 5 and lasts for five years. Every year, Pelini will receive a 5 percent increase in his annual base salary, landing him at a base of $546,977 by 2016.
FROM THE CONTRACT
The Clause:
“The Program will be required to play a sufficient number of games to generate at least $2,000,000.00 in guaranteed game revenues during each year of this Agreement.”
What it really means:
Pelini will be required to play game guarantees each year — games where FAU is essentially paid to lose. Pelini will have to play enough of them to generate $2 million annually.
How’d we do in 2011?
This past year, FAU played three game guarantees — against Florida, Michigan State, and Auburn — and made $1.64 million. The Owls lost by a combined 115-17 in the three games.
Schnellenberger equivalent:
In Schnellenberger’s agreement, he was required to play enough game guarantees to make $1.4 million per year.
The Clause:
“Coach acknowledges and agrees that he is responsible for the Program maintaining the minimum Academic Progress Rating (“APR”) required of Division I men’s football programs by the NCAA. The university acknowledges that it also plays an important role in the Program being successful in maintaining the minimum APR standards set by the NCAA.”
What it really means:
The APR score measures how well student-athletes are doing in the classroom. 925 is the minimum NCAA requirement for APR scores. If FAU violates the rule, the NCAA will take away scholarships.
How’d we do in 2011?
Earlier this season, the UP reported that FAU football and Howard Schnellenberger were penalized for not meeting the minimum APR score (925) for five straight years. Since 2006, FAU has been docked nine scholarships for low scores.
Schnellenberger equivalent:
Howard Schnellenberger was also required to meet minimum APR scores — he’s failed to do so since 2006.
The Clause:
“Coach acknowledges and agrees that his responsibilities also include, without limitation: making fundraising appearances for the University’s athletics department at least twenty (20) times a year.”
What it really means:
FAU’s athletic department needs help making money, and because of that, it requires its coaches to make fund-raising appearances to help. While the new stadium might help bring in donations, it still cost $70 million to put it up.
How’d we do in 2011
As of press time, the UP was unable to reach FAU’s athletic media relations to verify.
Schnellenberger equivalent:
Schnellenberger was also required in his contract to make 20 fundraising appearances per year.
The Clause:
“Receiving a top 10% NCAA APR recognition: $10,000.00”
“Receiving a top 25% NCAA APR recognition: $7.500.00”
What it really means:
Pelini gets a cut if his team does really well on its APR report.
How’d we do in 2011:
FAU football has never had an APR score above 925. The data, though, only goes up to 2009-2010, so next year’s report might reveal otherwise.
Schnellenberger equivalent:
Schnellenberger’s contract called for bonuses of $7,500 and $5,000 respectively for the same APR achievements.
The clause:
“If Program season-ticket sales exceed 12,000, Coach shall be entitled to a one-time lump sum bonus in the amount of $100,000.”
What it really means:
If Carl Pelini can convince Boca that his football program matters, he will get paid. A lot.
How’d we do in 2011:
The last two home games in the stadium had 12,044 and 15,171 tickets sold. As of press time, FAU’s athletic media relations has not been available to comment on the amount of season tickets sold to date. Athletic Director Craig Angelos has been adamant that his stadium needs 12,000 sold tickets per game to remain afloat financially. Each year the university is required to pay $2.5 million per year to Regions Bank — to whom FAU owes $44.5 million in a loan it took out to build the stadium. Last year, at Lockhart Stadium, FAU sold 1,300 season tickets.
To view the contract in its entirety, click here.
