Sonny Dykes to Make $9.7M over five years as Cal Football Coach

by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Berkeley, CA

Cal football head coach Sonny Dykes will earn $9.7 million from the five-year contract that he signed recently, based on the official terms announced by the university.

The contract, which will run through 2017 and signed by Dykes on Feb. 7, will pay him an annual base salary of $250,000 with a talent fee for media obligations.

The deal also includes additional bonuses for on-field and academic performances.

"Sonny Dykes is the right person to lead our football program," Cal Athletics Director Sandy Barbour said. "I'm pleased to say that we have concluded this process, so we can focus on 'winning everywhere' in our football program."

Dykes will earn bonuses ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 depending on the team's academic performance. For on-field bonuses, Dykes will receive bonuses if the team wins more than seven games.

The contract also has a one-time lump sum of $594,000, which was given to Dykes on Feb. 15. The bonus is approximately the amount Dykes was required to pay for exiting his previous job as the head coach of Louisiana Tech.

If Dykes is fired by the university before the end of 2013, he will receive $3.75 million. In the subsequent years, that figure will be reduced by $750,000 per year until 2016.

If Dykes leaves the university voluntarily before 2013, he is required to pay $3 million. This figure will reduce in subsequent years.

Sonny Dykes to Make $9.7M over five years as Cal Football Coach