Bayno gets five-year contract

This was not Bill Bayno's idea. Even though he stands to greatly benefit from it.

The UNLV basketball coach received some significant job security in the form of a new five-year contract, even though it wasn't overwhelmingly endorsed by the Board of Regents.

Bayno, who has compiled a three-year record of 52-39 and has led the Rebels to consecutive postseason appearances, received a 5 percent increase on his base salary to $136,500 and will be employed through 2003.

Attendance incentive clauses could be worth an additional $100,000. Bayno's number of complimentary tickets also was increased, from 18 to 34.

"(Athletic director) Charlie (Cavagnaro) came to me," Bayno said in defense of his new deal. "I didn't come to Charlie. We talked after the season but it got put on the back burner."

By a 6-2 vote, the regents agreed to UNLV president Dr. Carol Harter's request that Bayno's rollover deal, which had four years to run, be torn up in favor of a five-year deal. All employee contracts beyond three years must be approved by the regents. Bayno was extended a year ago from his original three-year contract.

Las Vegas regent David Phillips, who was one of the two dissenting votes (Reno's Howard Rosenberg was the other), argued that Bayno was trying to leverage the school into more money and all but accused Bayno of thievery.

"I'm in a criminal trial right now where the definition of robbery is taking something by force, fear or intimidation," Phillips, a lawyer, said. "He negotiated the contract with us. And now we want to give him more money?"

Rosenberg said: "(According to the press) his income is $430,000 with shoe contracts and other things. It's because he coaches at UNLV. We're sending the wrong signal."

Bayno said he was dismayed by Phillips' and Rosenberg's remarks.

"Yeah, it hurt," Bayno said.

"I can understand why some of the regents were concerned, but I don't think I'm trying to rob or hold the school up. It's basically a one-year extension and none of the money, other than the cost of living, is guaranteed.

"We're just trying to be on par with the people we're competing against and Charlie is trying to get me closer to what (New Mexico's Dave) Bliss and (Utah's Rick) Majerus are making. Right now, it's not even close. Bliss just signed an eight-year deal and Majerus has what is essentially a lifetime contract."

Bayno said stability is essential to the success of the program. To be able to walk into a recruit's home, look him in the eye and tell him he'll be the coach during the player's collegiate career is invaluable.

"Recruiting is like politics," Bayno said. "You give someone one bit of ammo and they're going to use it against you."

In defending her coach, Harter said Bayno has generated additional income to UNLV based on the team's performance the past two years, the most recent culminating with the school's first trip to the NCAA Tournament in seven years. She even had support from Nevada-Reno president Joe Crowley.

"The request is not out of order," Crowley told the regents. "This is the way you operate in this business. People are looking at Bill Bayno from all over the country."

Bayno said he had been contacted about several openings but never pursued them, an indication of his desire to stay at UNLV.

"I'm not looking to leave," he said. "Essentially, this gives me and the program some stability."

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