MSU’s top athletics official said Friday that a raise and contract extension given to head football coach Bobby Williams this week should help lead to a better Spartan season next fall.
Athletics director Clarence Underwood said the deal, which includes a $50,000 raise and “roll-over” clause, should help Williams recruit top-notch players for his team. Underwood said he expects the Spartans will improve from their 6-5 record this season.
“With who is coming back next year coupled with the incoming freshmen, we believe Bobby will have a team of great athletes with a much better record,” Underwood said.
Williams, in his second year as head coach, will be paid more than $500,000 next year, including endorsement packages and TV and radio deals, MSU officials said. The deal also includes a two-year contract extension and roll-over clause, ensuring the coach always has five years left on his contract at the university.
Underwood said the contract extension is an important element that should help Williams recruit incoming freshmen. He said coaches need to be able to tell recruits and their parents that they will be in charge of the program throughout the recruit’s college career.
Because Williams only had three years left on his contract, “that could be construed by some entities as being a negative,” Underwood said.
The deal also triples the amount the university would have to pay to buyout Williams’ contract in the event of his dismissal to a full year of Williams’ base salary - $214,800 including the pay raise.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson authorized the contract changes earlier this week after they were recommended by Underwood. The deal does not require the approval of the Board of Trustees, but trustees were notified of the contract changes, officials said.
Underwood said he was impressed by Williams’ performance this year. Despite being plagued by numerous injuries to key players, including sophomore cornerback Tyrell Dortch, Williams was able to coach his team to a 6-5 record and a bowl game.
The Spartans take on Fresno State on Dec. 31 in the Silicon Valley Classic.
“What he was able to do with so many young players takes a great deal of coaching,” Underwood said. “I don’t know of any Division I team with 17, 18, 19 freshmen playing on both sides of the ball that are still going for a bowl.”
Williams, 43, took the helm of the football team in December 1999 after a speedy search by MSU officials to replace former head coach Nick Saban before the Spartans’ Citrus Bowl berth. Saban abruptly left MSU to take over the football program at Louisiana State University.
Williams had worked as MSU’s running backs coach for 10 years prior to being hired as head coach.
His overall record as head coach stands at 12-11.
