Bearkat Bites: Breaking Down Phil Longo's Contract
Also, the first draft in CUSA football history?
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Friday Night Lights For The Bearkats
Sam Houston was originally slated to play LaTech on Tuesday, October 28th. That game has been moved to Friday, October 31st, and will serve as the Bulldogs’ homecoming game. Sorry, LaTech, but a Friday night in Ruston still isn’t enough to move you up in my road game rankings!
Phil Longo’s Contract Details
Bearkat fans are rightfully excited about the return of Phil Longo to Huntsville. But how did things officially end with his former employer, Wisconsin? And what does his agreement at Sam Houston look like? We now have those details and here are a few highlights.
Wisconsin was on the hook for $1.5million of Phil Longo’s salary
When the Badgers let go of Longo this past winter, they were paying him $1.25million per year. His new agreement with Sam Houston reduces Wisconsin’s' obligation to Longo to $675,000. That catches the Badgers up to when his contract would have ended in March of 2026.Longo is already getting a raise.
His initial prorated salary at Sam Houston stands at $600,000 but in September, that amount increases to $700,000. Not a bad chunk of change in Walker County.
How Long(o) is his contract?
Phil Longo signed his agreement with Sam Houston on March 11 of this year, and it runs through August 31, 2029.Steady Salary Increases
Longo’s salary climes $25,000 per year. If he stays for the full length of his contract, he will be making $775,000 for the 2028-29 fiscal year.Bonuses, Bonuses!
Longo can earn up to $225,000 per year in academic and on-field performance bonuses.TV Star
Longo gets $25,000 per year for being on a TV show produced by Sam Houston.
The Keeler Factor
Former head coach KC Keeler had a similar four year deal with a base salary of $625,000 and not to exceed #3.25million total. Keeler left in the winter to become the head coach at Temple, near where he grew up.
CUSA’s First Player Draft?
There may have been others like it, but down in Miami, FIU decided to hold a player draft as their way of picking rosters for their spring game.
Assistant coaches split up into Navy and White squads and off the draft went.
Head coach Willie Simmons said he has used drafts a his previous head coaching stops at Prairie View and Florida A&M. He said because starters and reserves were all mixed together things could “get a bit sloppy at times”.
A player draft and trades too?? What is happening to “my” college football?!