Cal, Sonny Dykes finalize $9.7M, five-year deal

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- California has announced the details of new coach Sonny Dykes' contract: a $9.7 million, five-year deal that lasts through the 2017

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- California has announced the details of new coach Sonny Dykes' contract: a $9.7 million, five-year deal that lasts through the 2017 season.

The terms released by the university Friday contain several performance and academic bonuses. Dykes also received a $594,000 signing bonus, which is approximately the buyout from his contract at Louisiana Tech.

The coach's average annual salary is $1.94 million.

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

Cal hired Dykes on Dec. 5 to replace Jeff Tedford, the school's career wins leader with an 82-57 record. Tedford was fired in November after going 3-9 last season. Tedford and the university agreed to a $5.55 million buyout for the final three seasons of his contract on Feb. 4.

The 43-year-old Dykes had a 22-15 record with the Bulldogs, improving their win total each year. At Berkeley, he will receive a raise each year as the Golden Bears hope each season brings more wins - and more ticket sales - at remodeled Memorial Stadium.

Dykes' annual base salary is $250,000, plus additional talent fees, which are customary. In all, his annual salary before bonuses will be $1.8 million this season and in 2014, $2 million in 2015 and 2016, and $2.1 million in 2017.

Among his performance bonuses for his first three seasons: $25,000 for seven regular-season wins, $30,000 for eight, $35,000 for nine, $40,000 for 10, and $45,000 for 11.

Those numbers decline in the last three years of his deal to $10,000 for seven-regular season wins, $20,000 for eight and $30,000 for nine. He would still earn $40,000 for 10 regular-season wins and $45,000 for 11.

If Cal makes the Rose Bowl, Dykes earns a $60,000 bonus. He gets $50,000 for taking the Bears to any other BCS bowl. Dykes also would receive a 40,000 bonus for making the Alamo Bowl and $30,000 for the Holiday Bowl. He gets $25,000 for getting to any bowl game.

Should the university dismiss Dykes before Dec. 31, it would owe him $3.75 million. Cal would be obligated to pay Dykes $3 million if it relieved him before Dec. 31, 2014, and the amount continues to decline by $750,000 for each year before his deal is done.

Dykes has a buyout option for the same amount each year he stays at Cal, starting at $3 million this year, $2.5 million next year, $2 million in 2015, $1 million in 2016 and $750,000 in 2017. The money would need to be paid by either side within 60 days of the contract's termination.

There are also academic-based bonuses, including $23,000 each for an annual team grade-point average above 3.0, an Academic Progress Rate greater than 980 and a Graduation Success Rate better than 90 percent. Dykes would get $20,000 each for a GPA above 2.85, APR above 970 and GSR better than 80 percent. He'd earn $10,000 each for a GPA above 2.7, APR above 20,000 and GSR better than 70 percent.

Dykes also will be entitled to four premium season tickets in addition to the number he is allowed under departmental policy, and five parking passes to all home games. He will receive a membership to Claremont Country Club for the duration of his contract, and the university also is expected to pay for his moving costs.