Details of Jacobson contract released

CEDAR FALLS - The full terms and conditions of Northern Iowa men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson's new contract were released by the university on Tuesday, revealing specific incentives and considerations for the coach with the most wins in program history.

Jacobson's 10-year extension is worth an average of $900,000 per year, with bonuses available based on the performance of the Panthers in regular and postseason play.

UNI Athletic Director Troy Dannen worked with University President William Ruud and a number of boosters and program donors to fill out the raise Jacobson got from his $525,000 per-year deal he received after the 2013 season.

'It's the right thing to do. Like any other coach, you may be able to stand pat and the coach may stay. But it just gives him that much more incentive as soon as an opportunity comes along,” Dannen said in April when the extension was announced. 'It's the right thing to do for him. He's been with us for nine years now, and stayed with us in a time when he could've gotten more compensation going elsewhere. When we have the opportunity, it's absolutely the right thing to do.”

Financial terms broke down like this: Jacobson got a $125,000 signing bonus and is to be paid $400,000 in annual base salary through the 2024-25 season, with a $200,000 Media Fee (for coach's television and radio shows run by the university), and $125,000 in Longevity Pay starting with the 2016-17 season. He also gets a $50,000 Appearance Fee starting in 2015-16, which bumps up to $100,000 in 2016-17, then increases by $25,000 each year for the remainder of the deal, capping at $300,000 in the 2024-25 season.

Jacobson's guaranteed salary for the first year of his new deal will total $775,000, and will increase to 1,025,000 by the final year.

Bonuses are highlighted by team and individual accomplishments. Should he win another Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year award, Jacobson would get $10,000. A regular or conference tournament title would net him $15,000 apiece. An NCAA Tournament berth garners a $25,000 bonus, with $40,000 tacked on for each victory in the tournament and a $100,000 bonus should the Panthers reach the Final Four.

There's also a provision in which Jacobson will receive bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 based on average home attendance at McLeod Center.

Within the contract also lay specifics on scenarios in which Jacobson could or might leave UNI. Jacobson and his agent are not allowed, per the contract, to 'actively seek, discuss, negotiate for or accept other employment with a second educational institution during the term of this contract without first notifying the Director of Athletics, and thereafter keeping the Director of Athletics informed.” The contract does not specify anything in terms of a professional coaching vacancy.

Should Jacobson leave UNI before May 31, 2017 for another NCAA Division I coaching position, he would owe UNI 50 percent of the remaining guaranteed portion of his contract. If Jacobson leaves between June 1, 2017 and May 31, 2019 for another Division I school, he owes UNI 40 percent of the remainder. If he was to leave after June 1, 2019, it would be 30 percent.

Jacobson is also granted memberships to two golf courses in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area, Beaver Hills Country Club and Sunnyside Country Club. He's afforded a courtesy vehicle for personal or business use, and if there's not one available, he's to be given an allowance of $600 per month for one. He must pay insurance on the vehicle in either case.

There are also terms within the deal relating to his players and his assistants.

The university will ensure $150,000 in funding for a 'buy” game each season, as well as for participation in one 'multi-team event” - a non-conference season tournament, like the Cancun Challenge the Panthers won last season. UNI also will ensure funding for air travel for the team for MVC games more than 325 miles from Cedar Falls, as well as for two other charter flights at Jacobson's discretion each season.

UNI will ensure the full cost of attendance for all 13 scholarship players on the roster, as well as funding for summer school tuition for each player on scholarship - including stipends for room and board 'of no less than 66 percent of the maximum institutional rate.”

As for Jacobson's assistants, the contract stipulates the base salary pool for his assistant coaches will be among the top two in the MVC, and if Jacobson receives the aforementioned accomplishment bonuses, 25 percent of the total will be given to his staff.

Jacobson is 197-105 as head coach at UNI, with three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a third-round exit after finishing 31-4 this season.

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