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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Details of Akey’s deal released

A nearly $100,000 raise -- that is what's in store for Idaho football coach Robb Akey, who negotiated a new contract with UI after the team's most successful season in 11 years.

Keep reading for all the details of the five-year deal, which will pay Akey more than $355,000 this year if the State Board approves.

The Idaho State Board of Education is meeting today and Thursday in Idaho Falls, and one item on the agenda is Akey's deal. According to details released by the State Board in its agenda for the meeting, Akey will get a new five-year deal starting July 1 that will pay him a base salary of $165,796.80. Media compensation will be $190,000 this year (making his total salary $355,796.80 in 2010) and increase to $230,000 in 2014.

Akey's buyout ranges from $400,000 if he leaves before July 1, 2011, to $165,000 if he leaves before Dec. 16, 2014. Potential bonuses include $12,753 if UI wins or shares the WAC championship; another $10,000 if Akey is national coach of the year; $5,000 if he is WAC coach of the year; $100,000 if the Vandals earn a BCS bid. Akey can also get separate $12,753 bonuses if UI reaches seven regular season wins or finishes in the top 25 of the final ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. Lastly, he'll receive $5,000 if UI's APR exceeds the FBS average.

That last potential bonus is particularly interesting given the team's struggles surpassing the minimum APR in recent years. It lost six scholarships for the 2010 season because of its substandard aggregate APR score.

No word yet on contracts for Akey's assistants. We'll see if they get raises as well.



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