Eric Musselman turned down the Arizona Wildcats job and is getting a nice contract extension to return to Arkansas.
The Razorbacks on Wednesday shared details of Musselman’s contract. The 56-year-old coach will make $4 million per year through 2026. His contract includes one-year options for 2027 and 2028 based on Arkansas making the NCAA Tournament.
He also will received bonuses based on team performance. Here is the structure of the bonuses:
- $100,000 for winning the SEC tournament or regular season
- $50,000 for reaching the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32
- $250,000 for reaching the Sweet 16
- $350,000 for reaching the Final Four
- $500,000 for winning the national championship
Musselman would owe money in a buyout:
- $7.5 million buyout if he leaves before end of 2021-2022 season
- $2 million buyout if he leaves before end of 2022-2023 season
- $1 million buyout if he leaves after 2023-2024 season
- He would receive a $1.5 million retention bonus if he is still the head coach in 2026
The interest Musselman received helped make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
Musselman has coached the Warriors and Kings in the NBA. He had a successful four-year tenure at Nevada before taking the Arkansas job. The Razorbacks went 20-12 in his first season and 25-7 under him last season, reaching the Elite Eight. The Elite Eight finish was the best Arkansas has enjoyed since 1995.
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