UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn and the UCF Athletic Association have agreed to a new contract that extends the term through the 2027 season.
Executive Summary of Gus Malzahn Contract (2023-28)
Term
--Five years: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028 (2023 season through 2027 season)
Guaranteed Annual Compensation*
2023 $4,000,000
2024 $4,000,000
2025 $5,000,000
2026 $5,500,000
2027 $5,500,000
* Base salary of $600,000 (eligible for annual merit pay increase to be determined by AD)
* $1,700,000 for radio/television appearances for 2023 and 2024 seasons; $2,200,000 for 2025 season; $2,450,000 for 2026 and 2027 seasons (paid quarterly)
* $1,700,000 for personal services/NIL/speaking/equipment and apparel endorsements for 2023 and 2024 seasons; $2,200,000 for 2025 season; $2,450,000 for 2026 and 2027 seasons (paid quarterly)
Performance Bonus Compensation
Maximum bonuses are capped at $500,000 for 2023; $700,000 for 2024; $750,000 for 2025; $800,000 for 2026 and 2027.
Bonuses:
* $75,000 for participation in conference championship game
* $50,000 for conference championship
* $200,000 for College Football Playoff championship
* $25,000 for participation in non-CFP bowl game
* $25,000 for win in non-CFP bowl game
* $100,000 for participation in CFP New Year’s Six game or $150,000 for appearance in CFP national semifinal game (2023 only)
* $100,000 for win in CFP New Year’s Six game or $150,000 for win in CFP national semifinal game (2023 only)
* $100,000 for participation in CFP-affiliated bowl/playoff game (beginning in 2024)
* $100,000 for win in CFP-affiliated bowl/playoff game (beginning in 2024; first-round bye is deemed a win)
* $25,000 for each season with final top-25 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with final top-15 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with final top-10 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with conference coach of the year honor
* $50,000 for each season with national coach of the year honor (any one of AFCA, AP, Bobby Dodd, Paul “Bear” Bryant or Walter Camp)
* $25,000 for each season with final top-20 FBS ranking for:
--explosive run plays (12 yards or more)
--explosive pass plays (15 yards or more)
--offensive yards per play
--lowest percentage of explosive run plays allowed
--lowest percentage of explosive pass plays allowed
--lowest yards per play allowed
--scoring offense
--scoring defense
* $20,000 for each year with APR score of 980 or higher
* $20,000 for each year team meets or exceeds 3.0 grade-point average
Buyout
--By UCF (termination without cause by UCF): 75% of guaranteed compensation, coach has a duty mitigate buyout amount (buyout offset based on new employment, dollar for dollar)
--By Gus Malzahn (termination by coach): $7,000,000 if terminated on or before June 30, 2024; $6,000,000 if terminated on or before June 30, 2025; 25% of guaranteed compensation if terminated on or after July 1, 2025
Executive Summary of Gus Malzahn Contract (2023-28)
Term
--Five years: July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028 (2023 season through 2027 season)
Guaranteed Annual Compensation*
2023 $4,000,000
2024 $4,000,000
2025 $5,000,000
2026 $5,500,000
2027 $5,500,000
* Base salary of $600,000 (eligible for annual merit pay increase to be determined by AD)
* $1,700,000 for radio/television appearances for 2023 and 2024 seasons; $2,200,000 for 2025 season; $2,450,000 for 2026 and 2027 seasons (paid quarterly)
* $1,700,000 for personal services/NIL/speaking/equipment and apparel endorsements for 2023 and 2024 seasons; $2,200,000 for 2025 season; $2,450,000 for 2026 and 2027 seasons (paid quarterly)
Performance Bonus Compensation
Maximum bonuses are capped at $500,000 for 2023; $700,000 for 2024; $750,000 for 2025; $800,000 for 2026 and 2027.
Bonuses:
* $75,000 for participation in conference championship game
* $50,000 for conference championship
* $200,000 for College Football Playoff championship
* $25,000 for participation in non-CFP bowl game
* $25,000 for win in non-CFP bowl game
* $100,000 for participation in CFP New Year’s Six game or $150,000 for appearance in CFP national semifinal game (2023 only)
* $100,000 for win in CFP New Year’s Six game or $150,000 for win in CFP national semifinal game (2023 only)
* $100,000 for participation in CFP-affiliated bowl/playoff game (beginning in 2024)
* $100,000 for win in CFP-affiliated bowl/playoff game (beginning in 2024; first-round bye is deemed a win)
* $25,000 for each season with final top-25 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with final top-15 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with final top-10 CFP ranking
* $25,000 for each season with conference coach of the year honor
* $50,000 for each season with national coach of the year honor (any one of AFCA, AP, Bobby Dodd, Paul “Bear” Bryant or Walter Camp)
* $25,000 for each season with final top-20 FBS ranking for:
--explosive run plays (12 yards or more)
--explosive pass plays (15 yards or more)
--offensive yards per play
--lowest percentage of explosive run plays allowed
--lowest percentage of explosive pass plays allowed
--lowest yards per play allowed
--scoring offense
--scoring defense
* $20,000 for each year with APR score of 980 or higher
* $20,000 for each year team meets or exceeds 3.0 grade-point average
Buyout
--By UCF (termination without cause by UCF): 75% of guaranteed compensation, coach has a duty mitigate buyout amount (buyout offset based on new employment, dollar for dollar)
--By Gus Malzahn (termination by coach): $7,000,000 if terminated on or before June 30, 2024; $6,000,000 if terminated on or before June 30, 2025; 25% of guaranteed compensation if terminated on or after July 1, 2025
