The University of Oregon (UO) has announced a five-year contract extension for head football coach Mark Helfrich for $17.5 million.
According to ESPN, the extension lasts through the 2019-2020 season and the average annual value of salary is bumped up about $1 million per season. There are also buyouts in the contract; $3 million for leaving after two seasons, $2 million the season after and $1 million the year after that.
"Mark has provided tremendous leadership of our football program and the values and character that he insists upon are in line with our mission as an institution," Rob Mullens, UO's athletic director, said in a press release. "The success of our student-athletes on the field and in the classroom will continue with Mark's leadership and we are thrilled that he will stay at home in Oregon for a long time to come."
Before taking over as the Ducks' head coach in 2013, Helfrich was Chip Kelly's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He was also born in Coos Bay, Oregon and attended Southern Oregon University, growing up a Ducks fan.
Helfrich, 41, led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory in the College Football Playoff's inaugural season. Despite cruising to the semifinal win over Florida State, Oregon lost to Ohio State in the National Championship game.
His biggest test as Oregon's coach figures to be coming next season without Heisman-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota. Oregon will host an open competition that now includes Vernon Adams, a transfer from FCS school Eastern Washington State University. Regardless, Mariota's shoes will not be easy to fill, as he was one of the greatest college football QBs ever.
