Arizona baseball coach Jay Johnson has received a contract extension through 2023, an annual bonus and more shares in a “longevity fund” once reserved for Arizona’s top-earning coaches and athletic director.
The Arizona Board of Regents approved the new contract on Friday.
Johnson will receive a $10,000 raise on his $500,000 base salary on July 1, and will receive an additional $10,000 every year until his current deal expires. Johnson was originally under contract through 2022 under the terms of a five-year extension signed a year ago.
Johnson, 41, also receives an extra 10,000 units in a longevity fund once earmarked for athletic director Greg Byrne and football coach Rich Rodriguez. Johnson will vest in 10,000 units per year through 2023; should he leave the UA before that time, Johnson would receive the cash value of the units he has earned.
The 60,000 shares of Andeavor Logistics stock would be worth $2.6 million if sold off today. Johnson will vest in $434,700 worth of stock this year. Johnson first agreed to the longevity fund deal when he signed his extension a year ago. Friday's reworked contract adds another 10,000 shares to his allotment.
Johnson is 121-67 in three seasons as Arizona's coach, and has made one appearance (2016) in the College World Series. Johnson, the former head coach at Nevada, led the UA to a 34-22 record this year as the Wildcats failed to make the postseason.
Still, Johnson produced six players selected in the first 10 rounds of baseball’s amateur draft. Standouts Kevin Ginkel, Cal Stevenson, Cesar Salazar and Alfonso Rivas all signed pro contracts, with more expected to follow suit.
Arizona is 70-20 at Hi Corbett Field since Johnson replaced Andy Lopez following the 2015 season.
Johnson contract includes new language regarding his obligations under Title IX, the federal gender-equity law. The contract states that Johnson is a “responsible employee," meaning he has an obligation to report Title IX violations and participate in Title IX training. The new language is now standard in all UA coaches’ contracts.
Johnson cannot leave Arizona for another Pac-12 school, the contract states. He also receives use of a company car and phone, a health or country club membership, access to UA tickets and the use of Hi Corbett Field for youth baseball camps.
