The decision to retain or remove football coach Mark Helfrich could mean a difference of more than $10 million for Oregon’s athletic department.
Helfrich is expected to meet with athletic director Rob Mullens later this week to discuss his future. If the school decides to part ways with its fourth-year head coach and his staff, the combined buyout could exceed $15 million.
The same move, made a year from now, could cost less than $5 million, depending on Oregon’s on-field results.
Helfrich signed a five-year, $17.5 million contract after leading Oregon to the College Football Playoff in January 2015. He would be entitled to the remaining value of the contract if the school fires him before January 2020, though the contract contains a clause cutting his buyout in half if the Ducks win fewer than six games in consecutive seasons.
Read more at The Register-Guard.
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