Monthly Archives: August 2024

Regents meeting document spells out incentive-laced contract for UTSA coach Austin Claunch

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A five-year contract for new UTSA basketball coach Austin Claunch includes possible annual compensation “in excess” of $1 million, including a base salary of $400,000, supplemental income including $150,000 for media and fundraising appearances and a bonus package worth up to $500,000, according to a UT System Board of Regents document.

Here is a summary of terms published on pages 241 and 242 of the board’s meeting agenda this week:

Agenda item No. 44: U. T. San Antonio: Approval of terms of Employment Agreement for new Head Men’s Basketball Coach James Austin Claunch

The following terms of the Employment Agreement for new Head Men’s Basketball Coach James Austin Claunch have been approved by the Chancellor, the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and the Vice Chancellor and General Counsel and are recommended for approval by the U. T. System Board of Regents.

If the terms are approved, the possible annual compensation could be in excess of $1 million.

The Agreement references the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, any intercollegiate athletic conference of which The University of Texas at San Antonio is a member, the Regents’ Rules and Regulations, and the policies of The University of Texas at San Antonio. A violation of the provisions of such constitution, bylaws, rules, regulations, or policies may be grounds for suspension without pay and/or dismissal.

Proposed:

Guaranteed compensation:

Base Salary: $400,000 annually

Supplemental Compensation: $150,000 annually (for participation in media and fundraising events)

(Editor’s note: The contract also spelled out details covering a courtesy car, country club membership, spouse travel, tickets, moving expenses, transitional housing and summer basketball camps).

Incentives

Maximum of $500,000 annually

(a) $50,000 in any contract year if Team achieves Conference record of 0.500 or above winning percentage; and
(b) $25,000 in any contract year if Team achieves 20 NCAA Division I wins, or $50,000 in any contract year if Team achieves 25 NCAA Division I wins; and
(c) $50,000 in any contract year if Team wins Conference Regular Season Championship; and
(d) $50,000 in any contract year if Team wins Conference Tournament Championship; and
(e) $50,000 in any contract year if Team receives NCAA Tournament At-large Berth; and
(f) $25,000 in any contract year if Team wins NCAA First Four round game; and
(g) $50,000 in any contract year for each NCAA Tournament game win (excluding First Four round); and
(h) $25,000 in any contract year if Coach is named Conference Coach of the Year; and
(i) $100,000 in any contract year if Coach is named National Coach of the Year; and
(j) $50,000 in any contract year if Team is ranked in Top 25 in final AP poll

Liquidated damages

For early resignation

(a) Resignation prior to March 31, 2025: 100% of remaining Base Salary
(b) Resignation prior to March 31, 2026: 75% of remaining Base Salary
(c) Resignation prior to March 31, 2027: 50% of remaining Base Salary
(d) Resignation prior to March 31, 2028: 25% of remaining Base Salary
(e) Resignation after March 31, 2028: None

Source of Funds: Intercollegiate Athletics

Period: April 9, 2024 through March 31, 2029

Ouch: Hand/wrist injuries have plagued two all-star quality MLB players from the S.A. area

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By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay

Two major league ball players from the San Antonio area, both of them with All-Star credentials, have suffered from rotten luck in general and hand/wrist fractures in particular this season.

For Josh Jung and Jordan Westburg, their seasons were unceremoniously interrupted when they failed to avoid inside pitches that veered into their hands as they prepared to hit.

Westburg, a Baltimore Orioles infielder who once played at New Braunfels High School, had to be removed from a home game Wednesday when he was hit on the hand in the fifth inning against Toronto.

Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that he hopes Westburg can return to the lineup by the end of the season.

“They just X-rayed it,” Hyde said Wednesday in an Associated Press story. “How it heals and those type of things is way beyond my expertise.”

It was a tough break for the Orioles and for Westburg, who debuted in the MLB All-Star game a few weeks ago. The 25-year-old Westburg is batting .269 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is now on the 10-day injured list.

Jung, a Texas Rangers infielder who played in high school at MacArthur in San Antonio, has suffered misfortune in both of his two seasons in the majors.

Last season, as a rookie, he hit 23 home runs, made the All-Star squad and won a World Series title. But he missed much of the second half with a fractured thumb that he hurt while fielding a ball at third base.

Just as this season was getting underway, the dark clouds of bad luck converged again. Batting in a game at Tampa Bay, he was hit by a pitch. After a lengthy rehabilitation from a fractured wrist, Jung was activated Tuesday.

Notable

All Star Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers also fell victim to an errant inside pitch in June. He broke his left hand when he was hit during the seventh inning of a June 16 game against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium, according to an AP story. Manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that Betts could be back by mid-August, according to mlb.com.