UA trustees agree to Anderson extension
FAYETTEVILLE — It’s been a pretty good week for Mike Anderson, the Arkansas Razorbacks’ men’s basketball coach.
On Tuesday night, the Razorbacks rallied from a 16-point deficit at Georgia and won
80-77 in double overtime for their first road victory of the season.
Things got better for Anderson when the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville announced on Friday the Board of Trustees has approved a contract extension and raise for him.
Anderson’s contract was extended two years through the 2021-2022 season and he received a $100,000 raise in annual total compensation to $2.55 million from $2.45 million.
Anderson will receive $2.35 million in salary from the UA and $200,000 in a personal services contract with the Razorback Foundation. He also is eligible for up to $1 million in bonuses
annually tied to the team’s performance academically.
The buyout Arkansas will owe Anderson if he is fired or that he will owe the UA if he leaves for another job remains at $1 million for the remaining five years on the contract.
Anderson has a 142-80 record in seven seasons at Arkansas — including 14-7 this season and 4-4 in SEC play — going into today’s game against Oklahoma State in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. He led the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2017 and the NIT in 2014. He never has had a losing season in 16 seasons as a college head coach, and his overall record is 342-178.
“I am appreciative of this meaningful expression of support for the continued direction of the Razorback men’s basketball program,” Anderson said in a statement. “Our entire staff and our student-athletes are committed to competing and winning in the Southeastern Conference and nationally.
“We are also making a difference in helping mold young
men and pointing them toward their college degree. We have made significant progress, but we still have work left to do. I’m confident, with the passionate support of the Razorback fans, we can reach our goals.”
Arkansas Associate Athletic Director Jon Fagg, the men’s basketball administrator, said discussions on Anderson’s contract extension began last April after the Razorbacks lost to eventual national champion North Carolina 72-65 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Razorback men’s basketball is on the rise,” Fagg said in a statement. “Our team is among the best in the SEC this season, and the upcoming recruiting classes are among the best in program history. We are excited about the future and partnering with Coach Anderson and his staff as we take our program to new heights.”
Arkansas had a six-player signing class in November to replace the six seniors on this season’s team.
It is the second contract extension for Anderson. He also received an extension during the 2014-2015 season.