Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kiffin confirms contract extension
Hours before his players took the field at the Boca Bowl, coach Lane Kiffin tweeted to confirm an ESPN report that FAU has extended his contract through 2027. Kiffin had four years remaining on his current contract, which paid him $950,000 a year to work in Boca Raton.
BOCA RATON — It looks like Florida Atlantic football coach Lane Kiffin will have more time to enjoy living in Boca Raton.
On Tuesday, Kiffin tweeted to confirm an ESPN report that he agreed to a contract extension at FAU that runs through 2027. Terms of the deal were not reported. Kiffin had four years remaining on his current contract, which paid him $950,000 annually to work in Boca, where has often said he enjoys living.
Kiffin retweeted the ESPN story with the words,
“#greatpresident #getsit #bocabowl7pmespn.”
“This is further proof of FAU’s unbridled ambition,” FAU president Dr. John Kelly told ESPN.
Kiffin’s original contract was attached to a $2.5 million buyout clause after the first year and decreased by $500,000 after each season he remains with the program. FAU did not confirm an agreement on an extension had been made. Calls to Kelly and athletic director Pat Chun were not returned. In his first season, Kiffin led the Owls to the second 10-win season in school history and their first bowl appearance since 2008. Reports of the new contract deal came hours before FAU was scheduled to play Akron on Tuesday night in the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium.
After starting 1-3, the Owls finished the season with nine straight wins for a 10-3 record. They defeated North Texas earlier this month in the Conference USA title game. It was just the football program’s second conference championship and the first in CUSA.
Kiffin led one of the best turnarounds in the nation. Before his arrival, the Owls had three consecutive 3-9 seasons.
“We are grateful that the president and university are this excited about what we are doing here at FAU and into the future, although our focus remains completely on the team and this historic season finale tonight on ESPN,” Kiffin told ESPN.