Sarkisian agreed to the four-year extension in February, which bumped his yearly salary to more than $10 million. His contract also had built-in incentives based on the Longhorns’ performance.
The bonuses aren’t cumulative, but the appearance alone netted Sarkisian $150,000. If Texas would’ve stopped Trevor Etienne’s game-winning touchdown and gone on to win the game, Sark would have been paid the full $300,000 bonus.
Sarkisian also has another tier of bonuses tied to bowl games and playoff appearances for Texas, which can’t exceed $1.25 million.
Since Texas is currently scheduled to play in the first round against the Clemson Tigers, Sark guarantees himself at least another $250,000, regardless of the outcome. Here’s how the full postseason bonuses breakdown:
The final tier of potential bonuses is tied to any awards Sark could win for his coaching. Sark could earn a final bonus based on any recognition he gets. Here’s how that breakdown:
- $200,000 for any contract year for being named National Coach of the Year for any of the following: Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, George Monger Coach of the Year, Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, Home Depot Coach of the Year, Associated Press Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year; and Gene Stallings Coach of the Year.
- $100,000 for Conference Coach of the Year (Coaches’ Vote)
Sark is already on the watch list for the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year award but faces stiff competition in other awards from the likes of Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, Colorado’s Deion Sanders, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee and Oregon’s Dan Lanning.
