BG adds 3 years to Brandon pact

2/9/2008

BOWLING GREEN - After months of speculation regarding his future, Bowling Green State University football coach Gregg Brandon received a three-year contract extension yesterday.

Brandon will receive an annual base salary of $200,000 and his income can increase through incentives and media and marketing opportunities.

Brandon's contract, in which he made $169,909 in base salary last year, will expire after the fall season. It was long believed Brandon would receive an extension as a reward for the program's turnaround after a disappointing season in 2006. BG improved from 4-8 two years ago to 8-5 in 2007, which included a win over Toledo and a berth in the GMAC Bowl.

"I am very appreciative to [athletic director] Greg Christopher for the extension," Brandon said. "It demonstrates a commitment not only to me, but the continued long term success of Bowling Green football. I definitely believe it is a privilege to be the head coach of the Falcons."

Brandon is 38-24 in five seasons at BG and has won two bowl games. The Falcons ended this year on the down side, losing 63-7 to Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl. Christopher however expressed a desire to offer Brandon an extension weeks before the bowl game.

"Gregg helped build the program and now he has sustained it," Christopher said in a statement. "We're excited about the future of BGSU football - everything is in place for success: a great group of young men, a first-rate coaching staff, top-notch facilities and tremendous fan support."

Brandon, who was hired in 2003 to replace Urban Meyer, signed a two-year extension at the conclusion of that season. His new deal will expire after what would be his ninth season at BG.

Brandon was considered the nation's best coaching bargain this year, according to USA Today, whose study compared the number of wins in relation to one's salary.

Brandon becomes the third Mid-American Conference coach to receive an extension this offseason. Central Michigan's Butch Jones signed an extension through 2012 worth $265,000 annually. Buffalo extended Turner Gill's contract by two years, which could keep the MAC coach of the year at the school until 2012. Terms of Gill's deal were not disclosed. Northern Illinois' Jerry Kill was hired in December and will be paid $340,000 per year - the highest salary in the MAC.

It is believed Brandon's new salary will be among the top five in the conference, though that is uncertain because it will not go into effect until 2009. Additional terms of the contract have not been released.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com