The Arizona Board of Regents approved multiyear contracts for Marcel Yates and Calvin Magee Friday morning, a move that could greatly affect the UA's ability to hire — and retain — top assistant coaches.
It is believed to be the first time any Arizona assistant coaches have received multiyear deals. The board made a policy exception for the Wildcats' offensive and defensive coordinators, as it typically offers only one-year contracts for service professionals. The Wildcats still must hire a defensive line coach; it's unclear if the new hire will also seek — or receive — a multi-year contract.
Yates, the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator, came to the UA last month from Boise State. Magee, who holds the title of associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach, has been on staff since December 2011.
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Yates will make $500,000 per year, approximately $170,000 less than predecessor Jeff Casteel earned last year.
Magee’s salary is $520,000, an increase of $20,000 over what he made a year ago.
The UA asked the board “to make an exception to Policy 6-303, which limits the contract term of a service professional to one fiscal year. The basis for this request is that multiyear appointments for football offensive and defensive coordinators are becoming common in the industry and are deemed necessary to maintain program competitiveness.”
The board agreed, passing the motion without comment.
The UA will also pay Yates' $75,000 buyout from Boise State.
