Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd will receive a 28% raise in total guaranteed compensation to $5.25 million next season as part of a revised contract through the 2028-29 season, pending Arizona Board of Regents approval.
The new five-year deal, which includes two additional years over his current deal that was completed in April 2022, would put Lloyd among the 10 highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
UA said donor funds “have been secured” to fully cover the increase of Lloyd’s university-paid compensation throughout the term of the deal, a total of about $5.8 million over what Lloyd would have been paid under his current salary structure through the five-year period.
Lloyd this season is receiving $4.1 million in total compensation, including $3.0 million in base pay plus $700,000 for additional duties from the university. He also receives $200,000 each from Nike and IMG.
Next season, UA said his $5.25 million package will include the Nike and IMG pay but did not specify if it would still be $200,000 from each firm.
The Zona Zoo student section hold up cutouts of dimes with a picture of head coach Tommy Lloyd on them after a Wildcat long range basket against USC in the second half on Jan. 17 at McKale Center.
In a contract finalized in April 2022, after he became a consensus national coach of the year, Lloyd was scheduled for $100,000 salary escalators after each season through 2026-27. He would have made a total of $4.2 million next season, including $3.8 million from UA, and was scheduled to receive a total of $4.4 million in the final season of 2026-27.
The new deal gives Lloyd an extra two seasons, 2027-28 and 2028-29, plus the salary bump over each of the five seasons. It was significantly higher than a proposal withdrawn from the Regents’ website last month that offered Lloyd only one extra year, 2027-28, at $4.5 million in total guaranteed pay.
The proposal initially submitted for Lloyd to the Regents said NCAA sanctions resulting from actions by UA’s previous coaching staff triggered a one-year extension for 2027-28, with Lloyd receiving his standard $100,000 annual salary escalator that season.
UA said Lloyd’s total guaranteed package now would rise to $6.0 million for the final season of 2028-29, implying an average annual escalator of $150,000 — though the school did not specify the schedule of raises in its news release Tuesday. A salary schedule isn’t likely to become public until UA files its request for approval to the Regents before their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd, right, hugs guard Caleb Love late in the second half of the Wildcats’ game against Colorado on Feb. 10 in Boulder, Colorado.
Buyout terms were not specified in the release for Lloyd or Arizona, but UA president Robert Robbins said, “We are thrilled that he will remain a Wildcat for years to come,” citing Lloyd’s proven success as a recruiter, leader and coach.
In an interview with the Star last month, Lloyd said an agreement had been made to pause negotiations for a contract extension, leading to the proposal’s withdrawal, and he expressed surprise when news broke last month that he had a new deal lined up. The proposal was posted to the Regents’ website on Jan. 22 before it was withdrawn late that afternoon.
“We had actually been negotiating a long-term extension that’s gonna keep me here long term, me and the University committed together,” Lloyd said later on Jan. 22. “Nothing has changed on that. … There is no extension at this time, but we’re working with the university on a long term extension, and we feel good about it. We’re positive. There’s no alarm.”
After Lloyd’s initial proposal was withdrawn, the Regents kept a private “executive session” discussion about Lloyd on the agenda for their meeting last month, while Lloyd said then that he expected talks would resume later this season.
Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd, right, hugs guard Caleb Love late in the second half of the Wildcats’ game against Colorado on Feb. 10 in Boulder, Colorado.
“We were like, ‘Hey, guys, let’s not do a one-year extension now, and then two months later, do another extension — let’s just do them all together at once so we don’t have to worry about the job market or looking at jobs,” Lloyd said. “I want to be here.”
When the agreement was finally announced Monday, Lloyd said he was “humbled and grateful” to receive the long-term extension.
“I am energized by the support of our fans, our players, our alumni, president Robbins, the Board of Regents and our donors,” Lloyd said in UA’s statement. “All of us are aligned on maintaining a highly competitive and nationally recognized basketball program that provides a great experience for the student athletes.”
Lloyd’s 2022-23 salary already ranked the 14th-highest on USA Today’s coaching database, and a $5.25 million package last season would have ranked sixth nationally — and below only Kansas’ Bill Self ($5.96) in the Big 12.
Self ranked No. 2 nationally in salary behind Kentucky’s John Calipari ($8.53 million) in 2022-23, according to USA Today. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo was third at $5.74 million, followed by Tennessee’s Rick Barnes at $5.45 and Auburn’s Bruce Pearl at $5.45 million.
<&rule>
Photos: Arizona pound on on arch rival ASU 105-60, Pac-12 men's college basketball
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) gives the forks down gesture as he and the Wildcat faithful celebrate his long-range three against Arizona State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) snares the defensive rebound from Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9), left, and guard Jamiya Neal (5) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) gets his put-back attempt foiled by Arizona State guard Jamiya Neal (5), left, and guard Jose Perez (12) at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona State guard Jose Perez (12) reaches in to keep Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) from putting up a shot under the bucket in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona State guard Frankie Collins (1) reaches in but can’t quite stop Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) on his drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) grabs a handful of Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) on his short range attempt in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) puts up a shot in a crowd of Arizona State Sun Devils including guard Jose Perez (12), bottom, and forward Bryant Selebangue (24) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) gets knocked sideways on his drive against Arizona State forward Alonzo Gaffney (8), left, and forward Bryant Selebangue (24) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) scrapes away a shot by Arizona State forward Bryant Selebangue (24) during the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) gets held up by Arizona State guard Adam Miller (44) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) has to force his way past Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) while driving the baseline in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) flexes for his teammates on the bench after dropping an acrobatic basket against Arizona State in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tomy Lloyd talks with one of the game officials during a break in play of the game against Arizona State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) finds some room to put up a long shot over the crowd in the second half against Arizona State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) puts up a short hook over Arizona State forward Bryant Selebangue (24) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson waves to the crowd as he subs out late in the Wildcats' 105-60 win against Arizona State at McKale Center.
Arizona State forward Bryant Selebangue (24) and Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) try to get to a loose ball late in the second half at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Paulius Murauskas (23) runs into the defense of Arizona State guard Braelon Green (2) in the final minutes of the Wildcats win at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) goes up for the defensive rebound between Arizona State guard Frankie Collins (1), left, and center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
ASU coach Bobby Hurley has some words with one of the officials as the game gets away from the Sun Devils in the second half of their Pac-12 contest against Arizona at McKale Center on Saturday.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis, left, sneaks in to knock the ball away from Arizona State guard Adam Miller while UA guard Caleb Love also defends in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) keeps Arizona State guard Frankie Collins (1) from scoring but gets charged with a foul in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) gets hit by Arizona State forward Alonzo Gaffney (8) trying to penetrate the lane in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets fouled by Arizona State forward Alonzo Gaffney (8) on his drive in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) swats away a shot by Arizona State forward Bryant Selebangue (24) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) forces a shot under the long arm of Arizona State forward Alonzo Gaffney (8) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Wilbur waves the A flag during player intros as Arizona gets ready to face off against arch rival Arizona State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) lets out a roar after starting the scoring with a big dunk against Arizona State in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona State center Shawn Phillips Jr. (9) clothes lines Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) on his drive in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) shoves his way to the basket past Arizona State forward Bryant Selebangue (24) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) pressures Arizona State guard Jose Perez (12) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) gestures to the Zona Zoo student section after throwing down an overhand dunk against Arizona State in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
Former Arizona center Christian Koloko talks with the media prior to be inducted in the Ring of Honor at the Wildcats’ game against Arizona State at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 17, 2024.
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball players Jaden Bradley and Keshad Johnson speak to assembled media after the Wildcats defeated rival ASU 105-60 Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at McKale Center in Tucson. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks to assembled media after the Wildcats defeated rival ASU 105-60 Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at McKale Center in Tucson. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
