Stoops excited about recommended contract extension
by John Moredich on Dec. 24, 2008, under SportsArizona Board of Regents may act within three months on Arizona request for deal through 2013
Mike Stoops, here celebrating at the Las Vegas Bowl last week, was given a contract extension through 2013.
Arizona football coach Mike Stoops is among the last-minute Christmas shoppers, but he didn’t seem to mind fighting the crowds.
Stoops, coming off a 31-21 Las Vegas Bowl victory over BYU, will have his contract extended through 2013 if UA gets its way, athletic director Jim Livengood said Tuesday.
“This is going to be a great Christmas,” Stoops said on his cell phone while shopping. “I’m thrilled, not only for myself but for my family, my staff and the players.
“It shows stability. Our coaches have been under siege and to have this shows the continual belief in what we are doing. It shows a real commitment. It is what we need and what we wanted. I’m very thankful.”
Stoops, who has a 25-34 record in five years with the Wildcats, was rumored to be on thin ice before beating Arizona State, and then headed to coach Iowa State, thanks to an erroneous radio report in Des Moines, Iowa, last week.
Financial considerations were not disclosed, and the contract must be approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. That should come within the next three months, Livengood said.
Stoops’ now makes almost $800,000 a year plus incentives.
“It is a win-win situation for everybody,” Stoops said. “It has never been the money with me It is always about being fairly compensated and I feel that I’m getting fair treatment from the University of Arizona.”
The 47-year-old coach said the extension is thanks for the hard work it has taken to rebuild a program that was 2-10 in 2003.
“This sends a message,” Stoops said. “It is a great relief. My family really loves it here and they have received so much support. We love Tucson. We know there are always going to be hurdles and until you do something there are always going to be questions. Some of those have hopefully been answered.”
Arizona’s staff, with 20 known oral commitments for the 2009 class, can recruit knowing it has secure jobs.
The Wildcats have endured plenty of negative recruiting talk through the years.
“All we have heard is that we were going to get fired, but the last recruiting class was one of the best we have had here,” Stoops said. “They didn’t listen to it and it has worked out. This just helps us.”
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MIKE STOOPS AT ARIZONA
Year Overall Pac-10
2004 3-8 2-6 (8th)
2005 3-8 2-6 (8th)
2006 6-6 4-5 (5th)
2007 5-7 4-5 (6th)
2008 8-5 5-4 (5th)
Total 25-34 17-26
