Herman, one of coaching's hottest names, signs deal to stay at Houston

By Bruce Feldman
Published

Tom Herman, one of the hottest names in coaching, has signed a new five-year deal to remain at Houston.

The deal, made official Friday, extends Herman's contract through the 2020 season.

The contract is for $2.8 million a year and contains guarantees for significant program improvements and facility remodels. His buyout will be at $2.5 million for next year.

Herman was previously earning $1.35 million per year in base and non-salary compensation under a five-year contract, so his raise amounts to $1.45 million.

"My family and I are excited to renew our commitment to the University of Houston Football program. We live in one of the greatest cities, and combined with a Tier One University and with the commitments to our program, it provides a great atmosphere for a championship culture," Herman said. "We are thrilled, and we are completely focused on tomorrow’s American Championship and representing the city of Houston on the national stage once again."

On Wednesday, Herman was named the American Athletic Conference's co-coach of the year. In his first season, Herman has led the Cougars to 11-1 overall record and spot in Saturday's league's championship game against Temple.

The amended contact shifts the buyout of $2.25 million end date from Feb. 28, 2018, to Feb. 28, 2019, with an increased buyout of $2.5 million for prior to Feb. 28, 2017. The $2.5 million buyout would be reduced by 25 percent if a planned $20 million indoor facility project is not approved by the Board of Regents by Sept. 1. The $2.25 million buyout would be cut in half if the indoor football practice facility is not at or near completion by Dec. 1, 2017, and reduced by 75 percent if that's the case a year later.

"As we've said in the past, we want Tom Herman to be the head football coach at the University of Houston well into the future," said Hunter Yurachek, the school's vice president for athletics. "The head football coach at the University of Houston is a destination position and not a stepping stone, and a successful coach like Coach Herman's can build and maintain a nationally relevant, championship program in the city of Houston."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.