This article was in today's McDonough County Voice.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The University of South Dakota can't officially sign its new head football coach until the state Board of Regents temporarily suspends a longstanding policy prohibiting multiyear contracts. School officials announced the hiring of Western Illinois coach Bob Nielson in December, and Nielson has been busy assembling his staff after agreeing to a $255,000 annual salary, Athletic Director David Herbster said. But Nielson is seeking a long-term commitment, and current policy only allows one-year contracts for employees. On Friday, the board will consider approving a one-time suspension of its policy, the board's executive director Michael Rush said. Only after that, — and the regents' approval of Nielson's contract — will the length of it be known. "Ultimately, we don't have this contract approved yet," Herbster said. "He knows it, and that's what we're working on." Rush said he expects the board will approve the one-time suspension during its morning teleconference, and a separate vote would direct staff to develop a policy to deal with the matter in a more permanent basis. "I'm pretty confident that there will be a change in permanent policy to reflect kind of the realities of Division I athletics," he said. When Coyotes' coach Joe Glenn announced he was retiring in November, school officials decided they would go after someone coaching in the same conference — the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Glenn earned $147,000 last year, but the conference's average annual salary for head coaches has grown to $250,000, and Herbster knew any qualified candidate would want the security of a multiyear deal. Nielson, 56, led the Leathernecks for three years, including this past season's 7-6 record and an FCS playoffs appearance, earning him the conference's honor of Coach of the Year. It was the first playoff appearance for the Leathernecks since 2010. Herbster said the multiyear contract prohibition affected South Dakota's two major schools even when they played in the Division II North Central Conference alongside St. Cloud State, Minnesota State-Mankato and Minnesota-Duluth because those two were the only schools for the most part that didn't offer multiyear contracts. Herbster, who previously as athletic director for former NCC rival Nebraska-Omaha, said some schools used the policy issue in recruiting, telling prospective athletes that if they go to a South Dakota school there's no guarantee that coach would be around longer than a year. Rush said he's not sure if the issue has come up before the board before, as he's only served as executive director since July 1.
Bob Nielson contract status
Or maybe they will be. It'll set a precedent and the other schools will be able to do the same thing. I'd bet that the next time SDSU needs to hire or renew a BBall or FBall coach's contract, they'll get a multi-year deal also.vatusay wrote:Wow, if they get this to go through, I can't imagine jackrabbit fans will be very happy.
Scott Lawson - Board AdminWestern Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
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sealhall74
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Another way to look at is that their recent success (particularly in basketball) has been largely because coaches know they MUST produce each and every year.
Embrace the pace of the race.
If I was on board and it made sense to do the one year contracts, this is exactly the reason I would not let them do it is because once you let one person get away with it everyone wants that treatment.ST_Lawson wrote:Or maybe they will be. It'll set a precedent and the other schools will be able to do the same thing. I'd bet that the next time SDSU needs to hire or renew a BBall or FBall coach's contract, they'll get a multi-year deal also.vatusay wrote:Wow, if they get this to go through, I can't imagine jackrabbit fans will be very happy.
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sealhall74
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They seem to be doing just fine with one year contracts.
http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/a ... sionerscup
I would not change a thing. Good luck Bob being back on the street. LOL
http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/a ... sionerscup
I would not change a thing. Good luck Bob being back on the street. LOL
Embrace the pace of the race.
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Marine4life
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sealhall74 wrote:They seem to be doing just fine with one year contracts.
http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/a ... sionerscup
I would not change a thing. Good luck Bob being back on the street. LOL
They shouldn't cater to Bob.. once again, just shows how this guy is all about himself. Zero personality, and all about the $$. Good luck buddy, enjoy South Dakota. He is yesterday's news... Coach Fisher and his staff are busting the asses getting us some damn good recruits. Looking forward to the upcoming season!