UConn releases details of Edsall's 5-year contract

2/26/2008 1:22 PM

STORRS, Conn. (AP) -The University of Connecticut released details Tuesday of the five-year contract given to football coach Randy Edsall following a season in which the Huskies won a share of the Big East title.

Edsall will receive an average of $1.5 million annually, including more than $1 million each year for speaking and media appearances.

UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who has two national titles, is to make $1.6 million in 2009-10, the final year of his contract. Women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who has brought five national championships to Storrs, is to earn $1.25 million next season, the final year of his deal.

Edsall's deal also includes perks such as a $15,000-a-year car allowance, a family membership at a country club, and tickets to UConn men's and women's basketball games.

The contract has a buyout clause that calls for the university to get back between $250,000 and $1.5 million if the coach takes a job with another school or professional league.

Edsall had been scheduled to make $995,000 next season and just over $1 million in 2009 under his current deal, which he signed in 2004.

No state tax dollars will be used to pay Edsall, the school said. The contract will be paid for from gate receipts, private fundraising, corporate partnerships, broadcasts rights fees, conference revenue and NCAA revenue.

Edsall is 50-55 in his nine years at Connecticut. The Huskies were 9-4 in 2007 and lost to Wake Forest 24-10 in the Meineke Bowl.

Edsall spoke in November to Georgia Tech about its head coaching job, but announced he would remain at UConn.