University of Houston in planning stages to upgrade Tom Herman's contract
Tom Herman
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Less than a year after the University of Houston gave head coach Tom Herman a five-year contract with an annual base salary of $3 million, school officials are already in the planning stages to upgrade his deal.
“We have a football program that’s 6-1, coming off of a 13-1 Peach Bowl year,” said Hunter Yurachek, UH vice president for intercollegiate athletics . “We’re ranked 11th in the country. We have what I consider to be one of the hottest coaching commodities in all of college football in Tom Herman as the head coach.
“It’s my job as the athletic director here at the University of Houston to continue to do my due diligence and work with (UH President) Dr. (Renu) Khator and chairman (of the UH Board Tilman) Fertitta to put together parameters for what potentially could be a new contract offer for Coach Herman as we look toward the future in retaining him as our head coach.”
Yurachek defined his talks with Khator and Fertitta as “very general,” and has not discussed this with Herman.
“There have been no official discussions with Coach Herman,” Yurachek said. “Coach Herman’s number one focus, and I think he’s told everyone in the media right now, is to continue the special season that our program is having right now, and concentrate on those young men that are members of our football team.
While Yurachek works toward a potential extension for Herman, he said the value of any new deal is not the only thing his football coach is concerned with.
“I don’t think it’s all about salary for Coach Herman,” Yurachek said. “I think Coach Herman wants the ability to compete for championships year-in and year-out, and have the ability to recruit the student athletes that can help this program win and compete for championships.”
Herman is pleased to hear the school is already working on parameters for a new deal for him.
“It’s flattering to know that the administration believes in you,” Herman said. “It gives you renewed energy to go out and coach hard and prepare to win football games, but we’re a long ways away from any finalization, but it is nice to know our staff and our program are that well thought of by our administration.”
A key component for the buyout in Herman’s contract is the construction of a new indoor football facility, which is expected to be ready in time for the 2017 season.
Herman’s contract current has a $2.5 million buyout through February of next year.
Yurachek’s thoughts on Herman’s contract were first reported by @SBNation1560.