Mike Hamilton

Doc: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ANNOUNCES NEW CONTRACTS FOR FULMER AND PEAR

KNOXVILLE — Mike Hamilton thinks the University of Tennessee athletic department is “blessed.”

“We have two of the best coaches in the nation,” the UT athletic director boasted Wednesday afternoon.

Two of the highest paid, any way.

UT announced seven-year contracts for football coach Phillip Fulmer and men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, designed to keep both at the school through 2014. That commitment will come with at a minimum $34.8 million price tag — $20.95 million for Fulmer and $13.85 million for Pearl. That doesn’t include potential bonuses for on-field success for each.

“I think this signifies the success that they’ve had,” Hamilton said. “I think it signifies our belief in them, in what they’ve accomplished, and what we think they will accomplish. I think it signifies their value to the University of Tennessee.”

Thanks in part to drastic salary increases across the Southeastern Conference, that value has never been higher. Still, Fulmer’s nonbonus salary of $2.4 million next season likely is just the seventh-highest in the SEC. Pearl will receive a $1.5 million upfront retention bonus, but his $2 million nonbonus salary for this season is believed to be third in the conference. The Times Free Press could not confirm either statistic because Vanderbilt, a private institution, is not required to release its salary information.

Fulmer’s base salary will increase all but one season, and he is due a $1 million longevity bonus in 2012, pushing his nonbonus average to $2.99 million. Pearl’s base will augment every season, and he is due $500,000 longevity bonuses in 2010 and 2013, bumping his nonbonus average to $1.98 million.

Freedom of Information Act requests have been made for copies of the full contracts, and UT officials said they would release them after all were signed.

Fulmer, the active dean of SEC football coaches, said he was pleased with his new deal. The Vols overcame a slow start to win last season’s SEC Eastern Division, though they lost their third conference championship game since 2001. Of coaches with at least 10 years experience, Fulmer is the nation’s leading coach in terms of winning percentage, but this season could become his 10th consecutive without an SEC title.

FULMER CONTRACT

Pearl has revived the UT hoops program back into the national spotlight, taking the Vols to Sweet Sixteen appearances the past two seasons. His team took the program’s first No. 1 national ranking for one week after winning at then-No. 1 Memphis.

“I’ve worked my whole life to be in a situation like this — a coach at a place like Tennessee,” Pearl said. “I’m all about commitment on both ends, and when you look at our facilities, and now this contract — that’s significant commitment.

“It’s never been my intention to go anywhere. I’m the coach at the University of Tennessee, and now it’s my job to go earn this money. I know this isn’t a great time financially for our state and our institution, so we’ll work as hard as we can to maintain our revenues and live up to this contract.”

Hamilton said both contract negotiations were “absolutely” handled with class on each side, and the coaches agreed. Memphis native Jimmy Sexton is Fulmer’s agent, while Pearl was aided only by his attorney.

“Both of these coaches we’re talking about here are very good people,” Hamilton said. “They’re good to work with. They are not hired guns. They love the University of Tennessee, and they value their opportunity to be at the University of Tennessee. They value the support they get from our athletic administration and the athletic administration.

“As a result, we have open, frank discussions.”

UT president John Petersen released a statement praising all sides involved with the negotiations, adding there are “ongoing” discussions regarding Lady Vols’ basketball coach Pat Summitt’s pending contract extension.

“I can say unequivocally that we have two of the best coaches in America,” Petersen’s statement said of Fulmer and Pearl. “I am excited to know they will continue to be ambassadors of our great university for many years to come. Their roles in the community, as fundraisers for both athletics and the university itself are unparalleled.

“UT athletics has a tremendous economic impact on our University, city and state. These coaches and their respective programs have helped put UT and Knoxville on the map.”

Hamilton said the contracts were negotiated “independent of each other,” with a sport-specific emphasis.

“It is a great deal of money,” Hamilton said. “It’s symbolic of where sport is in society right now in America. Our salaries and our ticket prices tend to follow lower than professional leagues. Those have escalated over the years, and ours have, too. It’s basic supply and demand, and evaluating the markets, and what the market will bear; what the fans are willing to pay for.

“They are significant dollars, but it’s also where the market is.”

Fulmer’s assistant coaches will receive a total nonbonus salary of nearly $1.94 million, up more than $200,000 from last season. Defensive coordinator John Chavis and offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will receive $340,000, while offensive line coach Greg Adkins and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell, who recruits the Chattanooga area, will receive $200,000.

The other football money was divided as follows: $190,000 for defensive line coach Dan Brooks; $175,000 for defensive backs coach Larry Slade; $170,000 for running backs coach Stan Drayton and tight ends coach Jason Michaels; and $150,000 for wide receivers coach Latrell Scott.