Jeff Choate has signed a five-year, $5.775 million contract to be Nevada's new head football coach, according to the contract obtained Tuesday by Nevada Sports Net via a public records request. The deal, effective Monday, is the largest for a Nevada football coach and the second largest in school history for any coach in Wolf Pack history. The deal includes a number of potential bonuses. Here is an overview of the contract.
Longevity
The contract starts Dec. 4, 2023 and runs through Dec. 31, 2028 or after the program's last game of the 2028-29 season, including bowl games, making this a five-year agreement, the standard length of contracts for college football coaches. The contract also states Choate is allowed to serve out his role as Texas' co-defensive coordinator through the 2023-24 College Football Playoffs.
Base salary
Choate will make $300,000 in base salary, the same figure as Nevada's last two football coaches (Jay Norvell and Ken Wilson).
Guaranteed money
Choate will earn additional guaranteed money in equal monthly installments for media and public appearances, broken down as follows:
2024: $750,000 ($1.05 million total salary)
2025: $80,0000 ($1.1 million total salary)
2026: $850,000 ($1.15 million total salary)
2027: $900,000 ($1.2 million total salary)
2028: $950,000 ($1.25 million total salary)
That makes this a five-year, $5.775 million contract when including a one-time signing bonus of $25,000 due within 30 days of the contract's finalization.
Mountain West comparison
Choate's $1.05 million in guaranteed money for the 2024 season would have ranked ninth out of 11 Mountain West coaches' 2023 salaries ahead of only Hawaii's Timmy Chang ($600,006) and New Mexico's Danny Gonzales ($700,000). While Air Force's Troy Calhoun's salary is unknown, he certainly makes more than Choate will, putting the Wolf Pack coach 10th out of 12 MW coaches in annual compensation.
Wolf Pack rank
Choate's $1.05 million total salary will make him the highest-paid football coach in Nevada's history, surpassing Wilson's high-water mark of $$950,000 the last two seasons. Norvell topped out at $625,000. Choate becomes the second-highest-paid coach in school history behind men's basketball coach Steve Alford, who is making $1.25 million this season and will top out at $1.5 million annually at the end of his 10-year contract, which is worth $11.6 million. Choate's average annual salary of $1.15 million is also the second highest in school history after Alford ($1.16 million per year). He is the third $1 million coach in Nevada athletics history (Eric Musselman was the first after signing a five-year, $5 million deal in 2017).
Athletic performance bonuses
As long as Nevada hits a single-season APR of 940 in the immediately preceding academic year, Choate is eligible to earn the following athletic performance bonuses. His total bonus compensation can not exceed $475,000 per fiscal year. Amounts below are cumulative.
Coach of the year
* Winning conference coach of the year ($25,000)
* Winning national coach of the year ($50,000)
Conference championship (only highest of following two)
* Playing in conference championship game ($25,000)
* Winning conference championship game ($50,000)
Postseason (only the highest of the following)
* Playing in a bowl game ($10,000)
* Winning a bowl game ($25,000)
* Playing in a New Year's Six bowl game ($50,000)
* Winning a New Year's Six bowl game ($100,000)
* Playing in a College Football Playoff ($100,000)
* Advancing to the CFP quarterfinals ($150,000)
* Advancing to the CFP semifinals ($200,000)
* Advancing to the national championship game ($250,000)
* Winning the national championship ($350,000)
Academic performance bonuses
* For his team achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the fall or spring semester each year ($25,000)
The athletic and academic performances would be forfeited if Choate was fired for cause or terminated the contract on or before Jan. 31 of the following fiscal year.
Early termination
If Nevada fires Choate without cause prior to the end of his contract, the Wolf Pack would owe him the following figures as a buyout:
Fired on or before Jan. 31, 2025: $3.5 million
Fired between Feb. 1, 2025-Jan. 31, 2026: $2.7 million
Fired between Feb. 1, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027: $2 million
Fired between Feb. 1, 2027-Jan. 31, 2028: $1 million
This is much more coach friendly than the deal signed by Wilson, whose buyout was only $1 million after two seasons compared to Choate's $2.7 million after two years. If Choate were to find employment after being fired without cause, the Wolf Pack's obligation would be reduced by the sum of his future salary.
Coach buyout
If Choate leaves before the end of his contract, he must pay Nevada the following figures:
Before Jan. 31, 2027: $2 million
Between Feb. 1, 2027-Dec. 31, 2028: $1 million
This also is more coach friendly than Wilson's contract as Wilson would have owed $4 million at the top end of his buyout compared to Choate's $2 million buyout. The payment would be made in one lump sum and due within 90 days of his departure date.
Perks
Choate gets a skybox at Mackay Stadium and up to eight season tickets in football; he gets four season tickets in all other sports; he gets a country club membership for the entirety of his tenure; plus a monthly $1,000 automobile stipend and $100 per month cell phone stipend. Choate also is eligible to contract independently with a shoe, apparel or equipment company.
Personnel evaluation
The contract states Choate will be evaluated on four factors, including: 40 percent on competitiveness; 40 percent on academic and rules compliance; 10 percent on institutional goals, including diversity and citizenship; and 10 percent on program administration
Also of note
* Choate will get a one-time gross payment of $25,000 within 30 days of the contact being signed but is not eligible for moving reimbursement
* If Nevada's APR falls below 940, Choate must within 30 days of the end of the academic year prepare and submit to the athletic director a written plan of action to achieve a 940 APR in the next academic year
* Nevada's AD, with the approval of the president, can fine Choate up to $10,000 per violation of Board of Regent, university or NCAA/conference rules
* Choate's spouse and child are allowed team travel privileges to all away/postseason football games at the standard state per diem rate
* Choate must notify his athletic director immediately in writing of opportunity or interest from a school in the NCAA, NAIA or any professional league or conference in the United States or elsewhere
* Any legal dispute arising between the two parties over this contract would be litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction in Washoe County, State of Nevada