Here is how much Kentucky pays its head coaches in every sport for 2024-25 and beyond

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Another year of University of Kentucky athletics has arrived.

Several UK athletic contests in the 2024-25 season are already in the books, with plenty more to come over the next 10 months.

Who will be leading the Wildcats into these matchups?

Some UK head coaches have been mainstays in Lexington, while others are newcomers to the sideline.

With a new UK sports year already underway, here’s a look at each head coach at Kentucky, and their histories, notable accomplishments and contract details.

Coaches are listed in alphabetical order, sorted by their last name.

In August 2023, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart signed a contract extension that will keep him in charge of UK’s athletics department through June 2028. More information on Barnhart’s reworked contract can be found here.

A complete list of Kentucky athletic coaching contracts can be accessed here.

Blair Bergmann

Sport: STUNT.

Bio: Bergmann is the head coach of Kentucky’s newest varsity sport. STUNT — a head-to-head competition between two teams with a focus on the athletic and technical aspects of cheer — began competition in February 2022.

Bergmann — who cheered collegiately at Alabama — first came to UK in 2020 as an assistant cheerleading coach, before taking over as the head coach of UK’s then-club STUNT team.

Notable events: The first victory in UK STUNT history came in March 2022. The Cats went 3-14 overall during the 2023 season, but finished as the runner-up in the STUNT Division I national championship.

Last season: Kentucky went 19-8 overall and reached the STUNT Division I national championship game. This run included Kentucky’s first postseason STUNT win.

This marked the second straight season in which UK finished as the national runner-up.

Contract details: Bergmann’s contract with UK runs from July 2022 through June 2026.

The contract previously was set to expire at the end of June 2025, but Bergmann signed a one-year contract extension in August 2023.

For each contract year, Bergmann receives a base salary of $85,000. Bergmann also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

If UK wins the national championship in STUNT, then Bergmann would receive $5,000.

If Kentucky were to fire Bergmann without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Bergmann all of his remaining base salary.

Kentucky adds new varsity sport, set to begin competition in February

Golda Borst

Sport: Women’s golf.

Bio: A native of Sweden, Borst was hired as the Kentucky women’s golf head coach in the summer of 2010. Borst played college golf at Tennessee and was also an assistant women’s golf coach at LSU.

Notable events: With Borst as the head coach, the Wildcats have earned 10 NCAA regional appearances and eight team championships. UK also reached the NCAA championship finals in 2021.

From an individual standpoint, standout golfers Jensen Castle and Laney Frye have both excelled recently.

Castle won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur and has played three times in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Castle finished her five-year UK career second in Kentucky women’s golf history in career par-or-better rounds (54).

Frye was the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Stroke Play co-champion and has twice played in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Frye owns the two best single-season scoring averages in UK women’s golf history, and she is the program’s all-time leader in career par-or-better rounds (64).

Last season: Kentucky qualified for an NCAA regional for the 10th time in Borst’s 14 seasons as the head coach.

The Wildcats finished in eighth place at the NCAA East Lansing Regional.

UK’s team stroke average of 290.2 was the third-best single-season stroke average in program history.

Contract details: For the second time in less than a year, Borst reworked her contract with Kentucky when an updated deal went into effect in July 2023.

Borst’s contract with UK runs through June 2026. Last year, Borst received $180,000 in base salary.

This year, Borst will receive $190,000 in base salary. For the 2025-26 year, Borst will receive $200,000 in base salary.

Borst also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Borst’s contract with Kentucky also features several performance incentives.

▪ If UK wins an SEC regular season or SEC Tournament championship, Borst would receive $20,000.

▪ If UK participates in the NCAA Tournament, Borst would receive $10,000.

▪ If UK reaches the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, Borst would receive $25,000.

▪ If UK reaches the NCAA Tournament semifinals, Borst would receive $30,000.

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship in women’s golf, Borst would receive $35,000.

These incentives are not cumulative, and Borst is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

If Kentucky were to fire Borst without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Borst all of her remaining base salary.

Two golfers, one goal. How UK’s Castle and Frye plan to ‘push each other’ at U.S. Amateur.

Kenny Brooks

Sport: Women’s basketball.

Bio: Formerly the women’s basketball coach at James Madison and Virginia Tech, Brooks brings a strong track record of success to UK. He led Virginia Tech to the 2023 NCAA Tournament Final Four and the 2024 ACC regular season championship.

In 22 seasons as a head coach, Brooks has put together a 517-204 record and has reached the NCAA Tournament on 10 occasions.

Notable events: Since arriving in Lexington, Brooks has transformed the UK women’s basketball roster. This has been highlighted by the addition of fifth-year Australian guard Georgia Amoore, who previously played four seasons at Virginia Tech under Brooks.

Other notable additions to the UK roster for this season are Portuguese freshman center Clara Silva and high-scoring fifth-year guard Dazia Lawrence (Charlotte).

Last season: Brooks and Virginia Tech went 25-8 overall, claiming the outright ACC regular season championship for the first time. The Hokies’ season took a turn after three-time ACC player of the year Elizabeth Kitley tore her left ACL in the team’s regular season finale.

Virginia Tech lost at home in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Kentucky went 12-20 overall and lost in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Former head coach Kyra Elzy was fired after four seasons leading the Wildcats, which included a surprise run to the 2022 SEC Tournament championship.

Contract details: Brooks’ contract with UK went into effect March 26, 2024, and runs through March 2029.

Between base salary pay and multi-media agreements and endorsements through UK, Brooks is set to be paid the following amounts each season:

▪ 2024-25: $1.3 million.

▪ 2025-26: $1.4 million.

▪ 2026-27: $1.5 million.

▪ 2027-28: $1.7 million.

▪ 2028-29: $1.8 million.

Brooks’ contract also contains several potential non-cumulative bonuses for the following on-court benchmarks:

▪ Reaching the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 ($75,000).

▪ Reaching the Elite Eight ($150,000).

▪ Reaching the Final Four ($250,000).

▪ Winning the NCAA Tournament ($500,000).

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Johan Cedergren

Sport: Men’s soccer.

Bio: Cedergren, who is originally from Sweden, played college soccer at Cincinnati and worked in the financial industry for several years before he entered college coaching.

After five years as an assistant coach and an associate head coach at Dartmouth, Cedergren was hired at Kentucky in December 2011.

Notable events: Cedergren has built the Wildcats into a consistent NCAA men’s soccer power. This includes UK’s best-ever NCAA Tournament run in 2018, when the Cats reached the Elite Eight.

In 2022, UK posted an undefeated season that included both the Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships, and being named the top overall seed for that year’s NCAA Tournament. UK lost in that year’s Sweet 16.

Last season: UK — which was ranked No. 3 in the nation in last year’s United Soccer Coaches preseason poll — had to stage a late-season rally to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

UK finished with an overall record of 8-8-4 (W-L-D). The Wildcats were eliminated in the NCAA Tournament round of 32 by Notre Dame.

Contract details: Cedergren’s current contract with UK runs through June 2026.

▪ From July 2024 through June 2025, Cedergren’s base salary is $270,000.

▪ From July 2025 through June 2026, Cedergren’s base salary is $280,000.

Cedergren receives an additional $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Several on-field performance incentives exist for Cedergren as part of his contract.

▪ If Kentucky wins the conference regular season or tournament championship, Cedergren can earn $5,000 for each accomplishment.

▪ By reaching the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, Cedergren would receive $10,000.

▪ By reaching the Elite Eight, Cedergren would receive $15,000.

▪ By reaching the College Cup (the NCAA Final Four), Cedergren would receive $20,000.

▪ If Kentucky wins the NCAA championship, Cedergren would receive $30,000.

The NCAA Tournament-related incentives are not cumulative, and Cedergren is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount. The conference-related incentives are separate.

If Kentucky were to fire Cedergren without cause during the life of the contract, UK would owe Cedergren all of his remaining base salary.

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Troy Fabiano

Sport: Women’s soccer.

Bio: Fabiano has already begun his third season leading the UK women’s soccer program. Prior to coming to Lexington, Fabiano spent seven seasons as the head coach at Milwaukee.

Notable events: Kentucky hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament in women’s soccer since 2014.

Last season: Fabiano led the Cats to a 9-4-6 (W-L-D) record that included a record-setting 13-match unbeaten run to begin last season. UK, which last season also recorded its first win over a ranked opponent since 2016, narrowly missed out on the NCAA Tournament.

UK reached the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, which marked the first time the Wildcats played on that stage since 2014.

Former UK forward Jordyn Rhodes set a program record for all-time goals scored (45).

Contract details: Fabiano’s contract with UK was reworked in late February. His deal with UK now runs through June 2028.

For each of the remaining years on his contract — 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 — Fabiano will receive a base salary of $205,000 per year.

Fabiano also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

The performance incentives available to Fabiano include:

▪ If UK wins the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament championship, Fabiano will get $10,000.

▪ If UK qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, Fabiano will get $10,000.

▪ If UK reaches the Sweet 16, Fabiano will get $15,000.

▪ If UK advances to the College Cup (NCAA Final Four), Fabiano will get $20,000.

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship, Fabiano will get $30,000.

For the 2024 season, the SEC-related incentives and the NCAA Tournament-related incentives are separate for Fabiano.

Starting with the 2025 season, Fabiano would receive only the incentive equal to the highest amount.

If Kentucky were to fire Fabiano without cause during the life of the contract, UK would owe Fabiano all of his remaining base salary.

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Tim Garrison

Sport: Women’s gymnastics.

Bio: Formerly an assistant coach at Nebraska, Garrison has been the head coach at Kentucky for 13 seasons.

Notable events: Under Garrison, Kentucky made its team debut at the NCAA championships in 2018. Garrison’s time at UK has coincided with that of Raena Worley, a five-year standout for the Wildcats who is the second-most decorated gymnast in UK history.

Worley, a 13-time All-American and a four-time All-SEC honoree, will be an assistant coach at Kentucky this season.

Last season: Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, but UK failed to advance as a team to the NCAA championship.

The Wildcats sent two individuals, the aforementioned Worley (floor exercise) and Isabella Magnelli (balance beam), to the NCAA national championship.

Contract details: Garrison’s contract with Kentucky runs through June 2027.

He receives an annual base salary of $220,000.

Garrison also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

There are several non-cumulative bonuses on the table for Garrison, according to his contract. These include:

▪ A $30,000 bonus for winning the SEC championship.

▪ A $15,000 bonus for participating in the NCAA round of 16.

▪ A $25,000 bonus for participating in the NCAA semifinals, which also means a top-eight national finish.

▪ A $30,000 bonus for participating in the NCAA national finals, which also means a top-four national finish.

▪ A $35,000 bonus should UK become national champions in gymnastics.

If Kentucky were to fire Garrison without cause during the life of the contract, UK would owe Garrison all of his remaining base salary.

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Lonnie Greene

Sport: Cross country, track and field.

Bio: Greene, who is from The Bahamas and graduated from Murray State in 1989, was hired as the UK cross country and track and field head coach in summer 2018.

Before coming to Lexington, Greene was the head coach of Purdue’s men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams for six seasons.

Notable events: In 2022, the Kentucky women’s team finished in third place at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, equaling the best team finish at that competition in school history. Outdoors, the UK women’s team also finished in third in 2022.

With Greene as the head coach, several prolific track athletes have passed through Lexington, including Abby Steiner (who won three NCAA 200-meter championships and set a plethora of SEC, collegiate and American records) and Masai Russell, who won gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Last season: The Kentucky women’s track and field team finished 53rd at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The men’s team finished 20th . Keaton Daniel won the gold medal in the men’s pole vault.

In the NCAA Indoor Championships, the UK women’s team failed to score a point, while the men’s team finished 11th. Luke Brown earned the silver medal in the men’s triple jump. Daniel won the men’s pole vault gold medal.

Contract details: This summer, Greene reworked his contract with Kentucky.

Greene’s contract with Kentucky now runs through June 2029. He will receive the following base salary amounts.

▪ 2024-25: $385,000.

▪ 2025-26: $410,000.

▪ 2026-27: $435,000.

▪ 2027-28: $460,000.

▪ 2028-29: $485,000.

Greene also receives $15,000 each contract year from Kentucky’s multi-media deals and endorsements.

Greene’s new contract with Kentucky also calls for him to be paid a retention bonus on specific dates on which he is still the head coach at UK.

▪ Since Greene was still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2024, he is to receive a payment of $50,000.

▪ If Greene is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2025, he will receive a payment of $75,000.

▪ If Greene is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2026, he will receive a payment of $75,000.

▪ If Greene is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2027, he will receive a payment of $100,000.

▪ If Greene is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2028, he will receive a payment of $100,000.

▪ If Greene is still the head coach at UK on June 30, 2029, he will receive a payment of $100,000.

Greene’s contract also includes other potential bonuses based on finishes in NCAA and SEC competition, as well as for academic performance by his teams.

If Kentucky were to fire Greene without cause during the life of the contract, UK would owe Greene “all prorated amounts for (his) base salary and media and endorsements” for the rest of the contract.

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Shelley Jaudon

Sport: Women’s tennis.

Bio: Jaudon just completed her first season leading the Kentucky women’s tennis program. She was hired to her current post in May 2023, after former coach Carlos Drada resigned after 18 seasons.

Jaudon was previously the head coach at James Madison for five years.

Notable events: Jaudon’s first victory overseeing the Kentucky program came in January.

Last season: UK raced out to a 4-0 record last season before finishing with a 9-15 record and a 3-12 mark against SEC teams.

Contract details: Jaudon’s contract at Kentucky runs from June 2, 2023, through June 2028.

For each contract year, Jaudon will receive $150,000 in base salary. In addition, Jaudon receives $5,000 each contract year from UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

The following performance incentives are available in Jaudon’s contract:

▪ If UK wins the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament championship, Jaudon gets $20,000.

▪ If UK reaches the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Jaudon gets $20,000.

▪ If UK reaches the quarterfinals, Jaudon gets $25,000.

▪ If UK reaches the semifinals, Jaudon gets $30,000.

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship (as a team), Jaudon gets $35,000.

These incentives are not cumulative, and Jaudon is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

If Kentucky were to fire Jaudon without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Jaudon all of her remaining base salary.

Cedric Kauffmann

Sport: Men’s tennis.

Bio: Kauffmann played college tennis at Kentucky and was the first tennis player inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame. A native of France, Kauffmann was promoted from UK’s associate head coach to head coach in summer 2012.

Notable events: In 2022, Kentucky reached the NCAA Tournament title match for the first time.

Kentucky has made eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 in total under Kauffmann. In each of the last four seasons, Kentucky has hosted NCAA Tournament matches as a top-16 national seed.

Last season: The Wildcats went 27-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. UK went 12-0 in SEC matches.

That dominance in conference play included UK winning its third SEC Tournament title and winning the outright SEC regular season championship.

Contract details: Kauffmann reworked his contract with Kentucky last September.

Kauffmann’s deal with UK now runs through June 2028. He will make the following in base salary.

▪ 2024-25, $230,000.

▪ 2025-26, $235,000.

▪ 2026-27, $270,000.

▪ 2027-28, $275,000.

Kauffmann also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Kauffmann also has performance incentives.

▪ If UK wins the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament championship, Kauffmann is to receive $25,000.

▪ If UK reaches the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Kauffmann is to receive $20,000.

▪ If UK reaches the quarterfinals, Kauffmann is to receive $25,000.

▪ If UK reaches the semifinals, Kauffmann is to receive $30,000.

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship (as a team), Kauffmann will receive $35,000.

These incentives are not cumulative, and Kauffmann is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

Kauffmann’s contract with Kentucky also calls for him to be paid a retention bonus on specific dates if he is still the head coach at UK.

▪ Since Kauffmann was still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2024, Kauffmann is to receive $15,000.

▪ If Kauffmann is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2025, he will receive $20,000.

▪ If Kauffmann is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2026, he will receive $25,000.

If Kentucky were to fire Kauffmann without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Kauffmann all of his remaining base salary.

Kentucky’s historic men’s tennis season ends in NCAA Elite Eight

Rachel Lawson

Sport: Softball.

Bio: Lawson is just the third head coach in UK softball history. Lawson was hired in July 2007 after spending three seasons as the head coach at Western Kentucky.

Notable events: Kentucky’s only trip to the Women’s College World Series came under Lawson’s guidance in 2014.

Last season: The Wildcats went 31-24 overall and 8-16 in SEC games, which tied for 11th in the conference. UK went one-and-done in the SEC Tournament, but the Wildcats still qualified for the NCAA Tournament for a 15th straight season.

UK was eliminated at the NCAA regional stage.

Contract details: Lawson reworked her contract with Kentucky last fall.

Lawson’s deal with Kentucky runs through June 2028.

For the 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 years, Lawson will receive a base salary of $300,000. For the 2027-28 year, Lawson will receive a base salary of $400,000.

Lawson also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Lawson has several performance incentives as part of her contract.

▪ If UK wins the SEC regular season or tournament championship, Lawson will receive $40,000.

▪ If UK reaches the super-regional round of the NCAA Tournament, Lawson will receive $30,000.

▪ If UK reaches the Women’s College World Series, Lawson will receive $40,000.

▪ If UK makes it to the championship series of the Women’s College World Series, Lawson will receive $45,000.

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship, Lawson will receive $50,000.

These incentives are not cumulative, and Lawson is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

Lawson’s contract with Kentucky also calls for her to be paid a longevity bonus on specific dates if Lawson is still the head coach at UK.

▪ Since Lawson was still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2024, Lawson is to receive $50,000.

▪ If Lawson is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2025, Lawson will receive $100,000.

▪ If Lawson is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2026, Lawson will receive $100,000.

▪ If Lawson is still the head coach at UK on Aug. 1, 2027, Lawson will receive $100,000.

If Kentucky were to fire Lawson without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Lawson all of her remaining base salary.

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Bret Lundgaard

Sport: Men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

Bio: Formerly the Princeton University women’s swimming and diving head coach, Lundgaard was hired by UK in July 2023.

Lundgaard previously spent five years as an assistant coach and the director of recruiting at Tennessee.

Notable events: Lundgaard replaced former swimming and diving head coach Lars Jorgensen, whose tenure with the program has become marred by scandal and ongoing litigation.

A lawsuit has been filed against Jorgensen, UK athletics director Barnhart, former coach Gary Conelly and the university detailing sexual assault allegations against Jorgensen, who resigned from his post in June 2023.

Additionally, the NCAA recently announced that the UK swimming and diving program has been placed on two years of probation as part of a negotiated settlement with the university resulting from rules violations.

The NCAA case is separate from the lawsuit.

Last season: Kentucky finished ninth at the women’s SEC championships and 10th at the men’s SEC championships.

Kentucky sent two women, Bridget Engel and Grace Frericks, and three men, Ryan Merani, Levi Sandidge and Carson Hick, to the NCAA championships.

Contract details: Lundgaard’s contract at UK runs from July 25, 2023, until June 30, 2028.

▪ From July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Lundgaard will receive $188,700 in base salary.

▪ From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, Lundgaard will receive $196,200 in base salary.

▪ From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, Lundgaard will receive $203,700 in base salary.

▪ From July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028, Lundgaard will receive $211,200 in base salary.

Each contract year, Lundgaard will also receive $5,000 from multi-media rights and other “university agreements.”

If Kentucky was to fire Lundgaard without cause during this contract, the school would owe Lundgaard all of his remaining base salary.

Lundgaard’s contract also includes several performance bonuses. Some of the potential bonuses include for an SEC meet team championship ($20,000) and a first place team finish in an NCAA championship ($35,000).

These possible bonuses are not cumulative, but Lundgaard can earn separate bonuses for each of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, along with an additional bonus for winning the SEC meet team championship.

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Nick Mingione

Sport: Baseball.

Bio: Mingione was hired at Kentucky in June 2016 after a long spell at Mississippi State, where he rose to the title of assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Additionally, Mingione was an assistant coach at Kentucky for two seasons in 2006 and 2007.

Notable events: Kentucky’s only three trips to the super-regional stage of the NCAA Tournament have all come under Mingione in 2017, 2023 and 2024.

UK’s only trip to the College World Series came last season, after UK hosted (and won) a super regional in Lexington for the first time.

Last season: The Wildcats reached the College World Series for the first time in program history.

UK went 46-16 overall and 22-8 in SEC regular season games. UK shared the SEC regular season championship with Tennessee.

At the College World Series, UK won its opening game on a walk-off home run in extra innings over North Carolina State, before losing to Texas A&M and Florida.

UK set a school record with 46 wins.

Contract details: Mingione reworked his contract with UK last year.

Mingione’s contract runs through June 2028.

For each contract year, Mingione is paid $400,000 in base salary. Mingione also receives money each year from UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Combined, Mingione will make the following annual pay for each of his future contract years:

▪ 2024-25: $805,000.

▪ 2025-26: $905,000.

▪ 2026-27: $1,005,000.

▪ 2027-28: $1,105,000.

Mingione’s current deal with Kentucky calls for several performance-based incentives.

Mingione would earn $50,000 for reaching the super regional as a visiting team, $100,000 for hosting a super regional, $200,000 for reaching the College World Series and $250,000 for winning the College World Series. Those incentives are not cumulative, and Mingione is only to be paid the largest one earned in a season.

So for the 2024 season, Mingione qualified for the $200,000 bonus that comes with reaching the College World Series.

According to the contract, if UK fires Mingione without cause during the life of the deal, the school would owe Mingione his full remaining salary (both base salary and the money from UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements).

Mingione would owe UK the prorated balance of his remaining salary if he left for another job before the end of the contract.

With contract extension, Nick Mingione could soon make more than $1 million per year

Harry Mullins

Sport: Rifle.

Bio: Mullins, who was born in Germany, is the longtime leader of Kentucky’s college rifle dynasty. Mullins competed in rifle at Kentucky, winning the SEC smallbore championship while at UK in 1983, 1984 and 1986. He became the UK rifle head coach in 1987.

Notable events: Mullins has guided Kentucky rifle to four national championships (2011, 2018, 2021 and 2022). He is the second UK head coach (Adolph Rupp) to win a quartet of national titles. Mullins is about to begin his 37th season with the program.

Last season: Kentucky finished fourth at the 2024 NCAA championships.

The 2025 edition of the NCAA Rifle Championships will be hosted in March at Kentucky’s renovated Memorial Coliseum. This marks the second time in program history that UK rifle will host the NCAA championships.

The Wildcats also hosted the 2020 event, but the NCAA canceled the championship due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contract details: Mullins reworked his contract with Kentucky in summer 2023.

Mullins’ contract with UK now runs through June 2030. Mullins is set to make the following base salary in future years:

▪ 2024-25: $150,000.

▪ 2025-26: $155,000.

▪ 2026-27: $160,000.

▪ 2027-28: $165,000.

▪ 2028-29: $170,000.

▪ 2029-2030: $175,000.

Mullins also receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Several performance incentives are also in place for Mullins. This includes a potential bonus of $25,000 if Kentucky wins the NCAA championship in rifle.

If Kentucky were to fire Mullins without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Mullins all of his remaining base salary.

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Mark Pope

Sport: Men’s basketball.

Bio: A member of UK’s 1996 NCAA championship team, Pope spent the past five seasons as the head coach at BYU before being hired by Kentucky in April to replace John Calipari, who left the UK program after 15 seasons.

Prior to his time at BYU, Pope was the head coach at Utah Valley for four seasons. He also had stints as an assistant coach at BYU, Wake Forest and Georgia following a pro playing career.

Notable events: While at BYU, Pope led the Cougars to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, although he is yet to win a game in March Madness as a head coach.

Pope has put together a brand-new Kentucky roster that features nine transfer portal additions and three incoming freshmen.

Last season: Last season’s BYU team went 23-11 overall and earned a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament before suffering an upset loss to 11 seed Duquesne.

Calipari’s final Kentucky squad went 23-10 and finished second in the SEC, but lost both of its postseason games.

Contract details: Pope is on a five-year contract in Lexington that’s worth $27.5 million. For the 2024-25 season, Pope will receive $5 million, and his salary will increase by $250,000 each year through the 2028-29 season.

Should UK reach the Sweet 16 — a stage the Wildcats haven’t played on since 2019 — Pope’s deal with UK will be automatically extended by an additional season, with $250,000 added to his salary for each extra year as long as there are no more than five seasons remaining on the contract at that time.

On-court bonuses for Pope include receiving $100,000 for an SEC regular-season championship and $50,000 if the Wildcats win the SEC Tournament.

Other potential monetary bonuses for Pope include earning $50,000 for a trip to the Sweet 16, $100,000 for a trip to the Elite Eight, $250,000 for a Final Four appearance and $500,000 for a national championship. These potential bonuses are not cumulative.

Should Pope be fired by UK without cause before the end of his contract, he will be owed 75% of the remaining compensation on his deal.

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Craig Skinner

Sport: Volleyball.

Bio: Skinner was hired at Kentucky in December 2004 after previously being an assistant coach at Nebraska.

Notable events: Kentucky became the first SEC school to win a national championship in volleyball when the Wildcats won the 2020 NCAA Tournament (played in April 2021).

That national championship was part of a remarkable run for the UK volleyball program that is ongoing: Kentucky has won seven straight SEC regular season titles, and UK has reached the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA Tournament on nine occasions with Skinner as the head coach.

Last season: UK went 19-7 in the regular season and 17-1 in SEC matches.

Kentucky won first- and second-round NCAA Tournament matches at Rupp Arena, before losing to Arkansas in a five-set thriller in the Sweet 16.

Contract details: Skinner and Kentucky agreed to a reworked contract in September 2023. This new contract keeps Skinner at UK through June 2028.

Last year, Skinner was paid a base salary of $475,000.

Skinner’s base salary increases to $525,000 for each of the remaining years on his contract. This means that Skinner will receive a $525,000 base salary for the 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 years.

In addition to his base salary, Skinner receives $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Skinner also has several performance incentives as part of his contract:

▪ If UK reaches the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, Skinner receives $50,000

▪ If UK wins the NCAA championship in volleyball, Skinner receives $75,000.

These incentives are not cumulative, and Skinner is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

If Kentucky were to fire Skinner without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Skinner all of his remaining base salary.

Kentucky volleyball starts and hopes to end its 2024 season in Louisville

Mark Stoops

Sport: Football.

Bio: Stoops was hired as Kentucky’s football coach in November 2012, and his only head coaching job as been at UK.

Stoops is about to begin his 12th season leading the Wildcats. Stoops is the longest-termed active head coach in the SEC, and the sixth-longest in the nation.

Notable events: The Wildcats have qualified for eight straight bowl games, and Kentucky has defeated Louisville in the annual Governor’s Cup rivalry game five straight times.

While Stoops has overseen multiple 10-win seasons for Kentucky football, one of those has now been erased from the record books.

This summer, the NCAA announced the UK football program has been placed on two years of probation as part of a negotiated settlement with the university resulting from rules violations. UK had to vacate its 10 wins from the 2021 season as a result of eight ineligible players playing after being paid for hours they did not work at university hospital jobs.

Last season: For the second straight season, Kentucky posted a 7-6 record (with a 3-5 mark in SEC games) that included a postseason bowl game loss.

The Wildcats started 5-0 before sputtering, but the back end of the season was highlighted by a rivalry win at a top-10 ranked Louisville team.

Following that win at U of L, rumors swirled that Stoops would be departing Lexington for the open Texas A&M job, but Stoops stayed put.

Contract details: Stoops has reworked his coaching contract with UK several times, the most recent of which came in November 2022.

That deal keeps Stoops as UK’s head coach through the 2030 season. The deal runs through June 2031.

According to his contract, Stoops will receive a $9 million salary per year. This makes Stoops the highest-paid UK coach.

Stoops is set to be paid $300,000 if Kentucky participates in the College Football Playoff. Starting in 2024, the CFP is expanding from four teams to 12.

Should UK reach the College Football Playoff semifinals, his contract calls for that bonus to increase to $500,000. If UK reaches the national title game, that bonus jumps to $650,000. If the Cats win the national championship, that bonus for Stoops would increase to $800,000.

Stoops will be paid $100,000 anytime his team participates in a non-College Football Playoff bowl game. That bonus increases by $50,000 if Kentucky also wins at least eight games.

Currently, Stoops would have to pay Kentucky $3.5 million for a contract buyout.

Should Kentucky fire Stoops without cause, the cost to UK will be 75% of Stoops’ remaining salary. As of Dec. 1, 2024, that buyout would be just less than $44 million.

Mark Stoops comments on Kentucky football probation, vacated 2021 wins for first time

Gator Todd

Sport: Men’s golf.

Bio: Todd is now one season into his time as the UK men’s golf coach after a successful run at Vanderbilt, where he was the associate head coach. Todd was a collegiate golfer at Alabama.

Notable events: Recently, Alex Goff was a five-year standout for the Wildcats who posted a 70.55 scoring average during the 2023-24 season. This was the best single-season scoring average by a Kentucky men’s golfer since at least the 1993-94 season.

Last season: In April’s SEC Championship, UK finished 11th, which was the team’s best finish in the event since 2021. Goff was selected to compete as an individual at an NCAA regional: He finished in a tie for 29th at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, and made his PGA Tour debut in July at the ISCO Championship.

Contract details: Todd’s contract runs from June 1, 2023, until June 30, 2028. He was paid $190,000 in base salary for his first year at UK.

Todd will be paid $205,000 in base salary next year. He will be paid $220,000 for his third year (2025-26), $235,000 for his fourth year (2026-27) and $250,000 for his final year (2027-28).

Todd will also receive $5,000 each contract year as a result of UK’s multi-media rights and apparel agreements.

Potential bonus payments for Todd include the following:

▪ If Kentucky wins the SEC regular season or SEC Tournament championship, Todd earns $20,000.

▪ If Kentucky qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, Todd earns $10,000.

▪ If Kentucky reaches the quarterfinals, Todd earns $25,000.

▪ If Kentucky reaches the semifinals, Todd earns $30,000.

▪ If Kentucky wins the national championship (as a team), Todd earns $35,000.

These performance incentives are not cumulative, and Todd is to receive only the one equal to the highest amount.

If Kentucky were to fire Todd without cause during the life of this contract, UK would owe Todd all of his remaining base salary.

PGA Tour’s ISCO Championship a showcase for Kentucky golfers. Only one made the cut.