Despite his health problems, an NCAA investigation regarding inappropriate contact with a recruit, and a disappointing season on the court, Jim Calhoun has signed a new 5-year, $13 million contract to remain the head coach at UConn. Nothing especially odd in this, but there are a few unusual terms and conditions in this contract. For instance, he will forfeit $100,000 if the school loses an athletic scholarship due to a poor academic performance rating by his team. Also, he can retire at any time after next season, and will in that event receive either $1 million or a 5-year job with the athletic department (washing jockstraps, maybe?). The contract further stipulates that Calhoun can be removed from his job (without compensation?) if there is an NCAA or Big East violation which he is aware of, and for which he does not act to correct said violation within 10 days. How the administration thinks they can know, much less prove, such a prior knowledge or lack of reaction . . . well, it beats me.
By in large, I find nothing wrong in principle with terms such as these being included in every coach's contract. However, it does strike me as strange that UConn would be moved to pioneer this type of control. Do they know something we do not?
