OSU B-Ball Coach To Stay
Ohio State men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien will receive over $833,000 a year in a contract that's been extended four years through the 2007 season.
Now in his third year with the Buckeyes, O'Brien broke a string of five losing seasons at Ohio State with a 27-9 record in 1998-99.
After an 8-22 record in 1997-98, Ohio State finished second in the Big Ten last year and advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1968. The Buckeyes lost 64-58 to eventual national champion Connecticut.
The new agreement will pay O'Brien a base salary of $175,000 a year. Additional income from radio and television work, Nike and camps raises the compensation to $833,275.
His contract could be extended by one year each season for accomplishments such as winning the Big Ten championship or reaching the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State's climb to the Final Four last year gave O'Brien an additional $62,100, and another year added to his original contract.
O'Brien, who came to Ohio State from Boston College, has a record of 270-248 over 17 seasons as head coach, including 35-31 at Ohio State.
A week ago, Ohio State announced agreement on a contract extension with football coach John Cooper that will pay at least $1.1 million annually and run through the 2004 season.
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