by Martin J. Greenberg and Steven D. Gruber, The Gamebreakers, LLC
In the college-coaching world, the current job environment can be summed up by the often-quoted adage “you get hired to get fired.” This notion has never been more accurate. Job security is essentially a misnomer, as coaches are routinely fired or forced to resign or retire. As such, it is of great importance for all parties involved in a college coaching contract to truly understand the pertinent agreement and its potential repercussions. Specifically, meticulous and calculated “back end” contractual protection is imperative for the university and the coach alike. This “back end” protection refers to the concept that procedural and monetary implications of termination at the “back end” of the contract are just as important as the upfront dollars and cents.
The business of college coaching is a big business, and contracts are as easily broken as created. The statistics with respect to turnover are quite telling and undoubtedly represent an endemic problem. It is important to note that many “resignations” are actually forced resignations in which a financial buyout agreement is reached between the university and the coach in exchange for a voluntary resignation…
The Gamebreakers are career advocates, athletic consultants, and contract advisors for NCAA coaches, athletic directors, and senior university officers. They have strategies to help any coach at any college, and are highly recommended by Tudor Collegiate Strategies. Click here to visit their website.