The Kansas Jayhawks have awarded head football coach Lance Leipold a new contract. His new deal will reportedly pay him over $6 million per year, putting Leipold in the top three in average salary in the Big 12. This is about three times his salary when he came to Kansas in 2021. The new contract is strictly salary-based, as it didn’t add any additional years to his previous contract. The Jayhawks also added more money to Leipold’s assistant coaching pool. The projected contract details are below.
The Contract Details
- Duration: The new contract spans six years, running through April 30, 2030.
- Annual Compensation: Leipold will earn approximately $6.2 million each year.
- Assistant Coaches and Strength Staff: A total of $6 million has been allocated for Leipold’s assistant coaches and strength staff.
- Salary Structure: Dec. 1, 2023 – April 30, 2025: $7,791,667
- May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026: $5,560,000
- May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027: $5,800,000
- May 1, 2027 – April 30, 2028: $5,950,000
- May 1, 2028 – April 30, 2029: $6,100,000
- May 1, 2029 – April 30, 2030: $6,250,000
Bonuses and Incentives
- Retention Bonus: Leipold will receive a $500,000 retention bonus for each year he remains as head coach at KU. These payments are contingent on his tenure as of February 1 in the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029, and after the completion of the 2029 season (including the Big 12 Championship Game, if applicable).
- Season Finish Bonuses: Top 25 Ranking: A $50,000 bonus if the Jayhawks finish ranked in the Top 25 of the USA Today, AP, ESPN, Coaches’, or College Football Playoff polls.
- Regular Season Wins: $50,000 for achieving seven regular-season wins and a whopping $200,000 for nine or more regular-season wins.
- Private Aircraft Access: Leipold gains access to a private aircraft company of his choosing for personal use, for $20,000 per month.
Buyout Clause
Should Leipold decide to leave Kansas, the buyout clause comes into play:
- Now – April 30, 2024: $6 million
- Decreasing Annually: The buyout decreases by $1 million each year until May 2028.
Leipold’s recent success with the Jayhawks undoubtedly sparked the new contract. In his three seasons with Kansas, he’s gone 17-21. Given the history of the football program, this is a huge upside. He also has put the Jayhawks in back-to-back bowl games. Including a win the the Guaranteed Rate Bowl this past season. Kansas is becoming a solid contender in the Big 12, making the investment in Lance Leipold and the future of Jayhawks football a wise one.