New deal benefits both FAU and Kiffin
Profile of university raised as coach turns around program.
BOCA RATON — On the eve of his second season at Florida Atlantic, head football coach Lane Kiffin finally has his new contract.
Kiffin, 43, was joined by school President John Kelly and Athletic Director Brian White in finalizing a six-year contract extension this week. The contract, which goes through 2027, is loaded with incentives that would significantly boost his pay if the Owls can repeat last season’s record-breaking campaign in the years to come.
Kiffin initially verbally agreed to a contract extension on Dec. 19.
In the wake of Kiffin’s contract extension, FAU fans were rightfully curious about what the transaction means for their football coach and the university going forward. Here are some of the key details fans need to know and consider when discussing Kiffin’s new contract.
■ What does this mean for Lane Kiffin?
For one thing, the new contract means a chance at Kiffin earning more money thanks to incentives for postseason appearances, Top 25 poll finishes, and how the team performs academically. Kiffin could go from a $950,000 base salary this season to making over $1 million if FAU repeats as Conference USA champions and qualifies again for a bowl. There is also a $1 million bonus for winning the College Football Playoff tossed in.
A high-ranking athletic department source perhaps put it best when it was verbally agreedupon six months ago: Unless he has a major scandal or “forgets how to coach,” the Owls’ success last season, in effect, earned Kiffin a lifetime deal by transforming a team that hadn’t posted a winning season since 2008 into a C-USA powerhouse.
Kiffin has been forthright in acknowledging he enjoys living in