UNR football coach up for $75,000 raise

By Anjeanette Damon

Published Wednesday, March 9, 2011 | 11:25 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, March 9, 2011 | 4:05 p.m.

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As the Nevada Higher Education System is preparing for cuts that, as Chancellor Dan Klaich recently put it, would seriously undermine the mission of the Nevada’s colleges and universities, the Board of Regents will consider a contract extension for UNR’s football coach that includes a $75,000 raise over the next two years.

The salary increase is a provision in Ault’s existing contract, UNR president Milt Glick said today.

“We live up to our contract commitments,” he said.

Glick acknowledged the university could have reconsidered the contract in light of the budget crisis faced by the state, but opted not to.

“We made the contract decision before we saw Gov. Sandoval’s proposed budget, which was much worse than anything we expected,” Glick said.

University officials decided to pursue the contract extension in December, shortly after Nevada won a key game against Boise State. Under the extension, Ault will make $518,000.

Ault led the team, ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press’s final poll, to a 13-1 record.

According to the Associated Press, his salary is less than the conference average and he was the only Top 25 coach to make less than $1 million.

Still, the raise comes as Glick is deciding cuts that he believes will devastate the university’s academic standings.

This week, both campuses announced significant cuts needed to meet Sandoval’s proposed budget.

In Southern Nevada, UNLV is planning to eliminate 315 positions, including 120 faculty positions; eliminate 12 department and 33 degree programs; and make substantial cuts to the law and dental schools.

In Northern Nevada, UNR would eliminate most foreign language instruction, close the College of Agriculture. CORRECTION: The College of Agriculture was slated to close last year, but was reorganized instead. It is not proposed to be closed under the most recent round of budget cuts. Glick has proposed cutting degree programs in French, dance and theater. Significant funding would be reduced for student services and the university would cut 225 positions.

Glick is also proposing to cut the athletics department by $500,000.

Ault’s contract will be taken up at the Board of Regents meeting Thursday and Friday.

Klaich said the salary increase is “not consistent” with the way he’s approached contracts for the system’s college and university presidents. He noted he’s holding Western Nevada College Carol Lucey’s contract until “we know what the budget will be.”

Glick acknowledged there may be some debate at the Board of Regents over Ault’s contract.

He also noted Ault’s salary would be subject to the 5 percent cut proposed by Sandoval should the Legislature approve it.