Mark Fox, Georgia Bulldogs Finalize New 5-Year Deal

Mark Fox and the University of Georgia finalized a 5 year contract extension worth $2 Million annually to keep Fox in Athens through the 2020 NCAA season.

Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald first broke the news of the new 5 year, $10 Million deal for Georgia Bulldogs HC Mark Fox to stay in Athens through 2020.

Though the extension was originally announced back on May 21st, the Athens Banner-Herald made an open records request earlier this week to see the finer details of the contract extension before the start of the Men’s 2015-16 regular season.

Mark Fox has done a terrific job rebuilding a long-struggling Georgia Bulldogs’ Men’s Basketball Program, winning over 20 games three times in six seasons (2011, 2014-15) and taking the Dawgs to the NCAA Tournament twice in his tenure at Georgia (2011, 2015).

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This contract extension reveals several important things: 1. Athletic Director Greg McGarity doesn’t want money to stand as the reason for Mark Fox to leave Athens. 2. Fox would not have to pay a buyout should he leave the program. 3. UGA’s buyout of Fox’s deal would decrease should McGarity and President Jere Morehead want to make a change at Head Coach. 4. There are several new and enticing incentives placed within the life of the 5-year deal.

What McGarity is getting it is that should Mark Fox ever leave Georgia for another program, financial reasons wouldn’t serve as the main reason. The $2 Million a year contract boosts Fox’s pay over $300K annually and for two more seasons. Essentially if Fox were to ever leave Athens, it’s because of an opportunity to restore a historically strong brand, not an overwhelming boost in pay.

Since this is Mark Fox’s second contract with the Georgia Bulldogs, McGarity is showing more trust in Fox by not having him to pay a buyout should he leave UGA. Mark Richt has the same clause in his deal with the Football Program. It’s a testament to McGarity and the rest of the athletic department appreciating all the hard work Fox is putting into revitalizing the UGA Men’s Program.

Coincidentally, this pay increase for Fox also lowers the amount of money the University of Georgia would have to pay Mark Fox should they have to buyout the life of his contract. Georgia would have to pay $2.3 Million with four years left on the deal, $1.7 Million with three, $1.1 Million with two, and $500K with one.

There are many exciting incentives in Mark Fox’s new contract with the Georgia Bulldogs. He can earn up to an additional $850K, including bonuses that increase with how far the Dawgs go in the NCAA Tournament. $50K to make it, $100K for a Sweet Sixteen, $150K for a Final Four, and $250K for a National Championship.

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