AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.—Air Force and Troy Calhoun have agreed to a five-year contract worth $4.175 million, a deal athletic director Hans Meuh hopes will keep his football coach from jumping to a higher-profile program.
Calhoun, 17-9 in two seasons at Air Force, was mentioned as a possible candidate for openings at Tennessee and Clemson. His name also came up in connection with several other openings after the Falcons went a surprising 8-5 and reached a bowl for the second straight season.
Calhoun, who made $560,000 last season, will be paid a base salary of $750,000 a year plus a benefits package worth more than $110,000 a year through 2013.
Like his previous contract, this one is a rolling deal that will be reviewed annually and, if both sides agree, another year will be added so that Calhoun always has five years remaining on his contract. The academy isn’t allowed to extend contracts beyond five years.
The rolling structure of the contract also keeps the buyout figure high. If Calhoun leaves for another coaching job, he or his new team would have to pay the Academy 25 percent of his remaining total base salary.
The pool of money for Calhoun’s nine assistants was increased from $885,000 to $1,117,000 annually.
“The academy’s purpose—to educate and develop young people of integrity and fortitude who serve as outstanding leaders for our country—is both unique and quite moving,” Calhoun said in a statement. “With regards to Air Force football, for over 50 years there have been many exciting moments, and we look forward to many more in the coming years.”
Calhoun coached for Ohio, Wake Forest, the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans before taking over the Falcons following longtime coach Fisher DeBerry’s departure.
