Moos’ salary historic

PULLMAN – When Bill Moos takes over as Washington State’s athletic director sometime before May 1, he’ll become the highest-paid person at the position in school history.

At Moos’ introductory press conference Wednesday, WSU president Elson S. Floyd wasted little time in relaying the particulars of Moos’ seven-year agreement.

Floyd prefaced his remarks by saying the average guaranteed compensation for Pac-10 athletic directors is $400,000 a year, according to a study.

Moos will be guaranteed $455,000, Floyd said, along with some bonuses and incentives.

“It is over the average,” Floyd said. “I want it to be over the average. We are not an average institution, so we don’t pay at that level.

“It’s reasonable, it’s fair, it’s appropriate.”

Moos said the bonuses and incentives are based on graduation rates, fundraising, retention and postseason play.

“They are pretty standard in the industry,” Moos said.

By comparison, WSU men’s basketball coach Ken Bone will make $650,000 in guaranteed money this year, while football coach Paul Wulff will earn $600,000 if his deferred money is added in. Both have bonuses and incentives built into their contracts.

Floyd was paid $625,000 in 2009 according to published reports. University of Washington athletic director Scott Woodward was paid $337,092 in 2009 according to the State of Washington’s office of financial management salary survey.

Former WSU athletic director Jim Sterk’s compensation package totaled nearly $300,000.