Showing that they believe Chip Kelly the right coach to lead University of California at Los Angeles V Big Ten eraSchool officials on Friday extended Kelly’s contract by two years and an accompanying small allowance that will run through the 2027 season.
Under the contract reviewed by The Times, Kelly will earn $6.1 million over the 2023 and 2024 seasons – $300,000 more than previous amounts, which included $1 million in retention bonuses – before receiving an increase to $6.2 million per season in 2025, 2026 and 2026. 2027. His contract was restructured to add money to his yearly salary while removing retention bonuses.
The new contract rewards Kelly for posting a 17-8 record over the last two seasons while keeping a reasonable buyout in case the Bruins struggle to move to the Big 10 in August 2024.
Kelly’s buyout requires him to receive $8.5 million if he is fired before December 2023 and $4.27 million if he is fired before December 2024. This amount will drop to zero in December 2025.
Kelly, who turns 60 in November, will owe the school $3 million if he leaves before the end of this season and $1.5 million if he leaves before the end of the 2025 season.
Athletic director Martin Jarmond cited the team’s improvement in each of Kelly’s five seasons as a long-term commitment. The Bruins went 9-4 last season, finishing fifth in the Pac-12 Conference before losing to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl. They were ranked 21st in the latest Associated Press poll.
“I am delighted with our football program under Coach Kelly and his talented staff,” Jarmond said in a statement. “The football program is on the rise both on the field and in the classroom. Coach Kelly and his staff have done a great job of developing young people, as evidenced by their academic success.”
Kelly’s offense has always been elite, but the Bruins’ defense has struggled, and that’s the main reason the team has gone 27-29 since his arrival. UCLA to have third defensive coordinator in as many seasons in 2023 after being hired D’Anton Lynn replace Bill McGovernwho is moving into an administrative role after missing five games last season due to unspecified health issues.
Hopes for a breakthrough next season with a freshman are high Dante Moore, the highest ranked quarterback prospect in school history, is likely to spearhead another dynamic offense that will include transfer guard Carson Steele and high-profile receivers J. Michael Sturdivant and Kyle Ford. The defense will be led by returning winger Layatou Latu, transfer midfielder Oluvafemi Oladejo and defender Jordan Anderson.
Kelly’s new contract includes additional bonuses, including $1 million to play in the college football championship playoffs (was $200,000), $800,000 to play in the CFP title game (was $150,000), and $600,000 for participation in the CFP semi-finals (was $100,000). Kelly will earn $400,000 for winning the New Year’s Six Bowl (up from $100,000) and $200,000 for appearing in the New Year’s Six Bowl (up from $100,000).
Kelly’s win bonuses have doubled, with the coach receiving $50,000 if the Bruins achieve nine wins and another $50,000 for 10 wins plus an additional $100,000 for 11 and 12 wins.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
