UW Enriches Lambright’s Life Lucrative Contract Extension Keeps Football Coach In Seattle Through 2001
It pays to be a successful Pac-10 football coach.
Just ask Jim Lambright, who directed the Washington Huskies to an 8-4 record and an Aloha Bowl victory last season.
On Friday, he signed a contract extension through the 2001 season that could earn him $566,000 in 1998. That’s $167,000 more than he made this past season.
“This is a very exciting day for me,” Lambright said at a news conference.
“We’re tying to establish this as one of the top programs in this conference, and hopefully in the nation, and one of the things that you like to sell (to recruits) is your own security.”
“We have put together a compensation package for Jim that is one of the best in the Pac-10 Conference and the nation,” said Washington athletic director Barbara Hedges. “The extension is a way to say that the university is behind him as he continues the great tradition of Husky football.”
Lambright took over as UW head coach in August 1993 after Don James resigned. At the time, the football program was in the midst of sanctions levied by the Pac-10 for several rules violations.
In his five years as head coach, Lambright has posted an overall record of 38-19-1, tops among Pac-10 teams during that span. He has led the Huskies to bowl appearances the past three seasons.
Traditionally, the four-year contract that Lambright initially signed when he became head coach has been rolled over every year with modest annual salary and enhancement increases. But that didn’t happen last year as negotiations between Lambright and the university on a major enhancement took longer than expected.
“It just took a while to really talk through all the things that we really wanted to do because this was, as you can see, a major enhancement,” Hedges said. “The annuity portion probably took the longest.”
Hedges said Lambright’s compensation package is in “the top third” among Pac-10 coaches.
But is he worth all that money?
“Probably not,” Lambright acknowledged.
“But I’ve always had a problem with my wife spending what I make anyway. I don’t think anything’s gonna change.”
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: By the numbers Jim Lambright’s new contract includes: A base salary of $176,000 that could be increased upon annual review; $85,000 in additional compensation, including an annuity, car and travel allowance and country club membership; $201,000 in outside compensation, including radio/television fees and apparel contracts; Potential postseason compensation of $104,333.