Tulsa football coaches agree to contract changes
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Sunday, December 30, 2012
12/30/12 at 8:16 AM
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham confirmed on Saturday that Golden Hurricane football coach Bill Blankenship has agreed to the terms of a contract adjustment.
While it is believed that Blankenship was awarded a new contract, Upham would not divulge whether the coach did receive a new contract or an extension of the five-year contract Blankenship signed after being promoted to the head-coaching position in January 2011.
"You know we don't talk about the details of this," Upham said. "We're in a comfortable place with Bill that illustrates a longer-term commitment. I don't want to say more than that."
As a private school, TU is not obligated to release contract details or compensation figures. It is believed that Blankenship's original pay level was substantially below that of Todd Graham, who coached the Golden Hurricane in 2007-10. According to figures submitted by TU to the Internal Revenue Service, Graham's 2010 compensation amounted to $1.08 million in salary and $36,684 in additional income.
It also is believed that Upham approved raises for each of Blankenship's nine assistant coaches.
"I don't know which documents have been signed," Upham said, "but everything has been agreed to."
Blankenship's 2012 Hurricane team captured the Conference USA title and has a 10-3 record entering Monday's Liberty Bowl meeting with Iowa State.
Upham's assessment of Blankenship's two seasons as the head coach: "Are you kidding? He has done everything that we've asked, and a hundred times more. He's an outstanding coach. He is a remarkable field general and a wonderful human being. We couldn't ask for anything more."
Original Print Headline: Coaches agree to contract changes
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
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