The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

College Sports

October 13, 2012

WVU extends AD Luck’s contract, boosts pay to $550,000

By Cam Huffman Sports Editor

West Virginia University president Jim Clements is enjoying the school’s recent athletic success and taking every step toward making sure it’s maintained.

After extending football coach Dana Holgorsen’s contract in August, locking him up through 2017, the University, on Friday, extended the contract of the man who hired him, Director of Athletics Oliver Luck.

“Oliver Luck is a true leader,” Clements said in a release. “He has brought stability, momentum and energy to his position. He is someone we want on our team for many more year to go.”

Luck’s original contract, which began in 2010, ran through 2015. It has been extended through 2017, and his salary and incentives have been increased.

Luck’s new annual salary will be $550,000, with a maximum performance bonus caped at $150,000. Those incentives will be tied to those presented to WVU’s varsity coaches.

“I appreciate the confidence that President Clements has placed in me an the entire athletic department team,” said Luck. “We will continue to work hard as we transition into the Big 12 and will strive to represent this University and this State with the pride and passion each deserves. This is my alma mater, and I am thrilled to serve her.”

So with the head of the athletic department and the head of the football program in place, the attention turns to basketball.

The Charleston Daily Mail reported Friday that Luck is working with WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins to extend the deal he signed after the 2008 season. That contract was for 11 years and would pay Huggins $27.5 million over its length.

Luck did not give details on the reworked contract, which he said they hope to have completed by the end of the year, but he said they were considering adjustments to both the length and the compensation.

Huggins, 59, is one of just 20 Division I coaches to win 700 games. He led the Mountaineers to the 2010 Final Four. He’s taken WVU to the NCAA Tournament in each of his five years in Morgantown.

— E-mail: chuffman@register-herald.com

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