KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee signed football coach Phillip Fulmer and basketball coach Bruce Pearl to new deals Wednesday that will keep them with the Volunteers through 2014.

Fulmer's deal is worth an average of nearly $3 million over the next seven seasons, and the nearly $1 million raise makes him the fourth-highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

He will get $2.4 million for the upcoming season and his salary escalates to $3.3 million in 2014 with automatic raises of $150,000 annually. Fulmer will also receive raises for achieving certain goals, such as an additional $350,000 for winning an SEC championship or an additional $850,000 raise for winning a national championship.

Fulmer would receive $1 million longevity bonus in December 2012, which would be his 20th anniversary as head coach.

"I am really proud of our university's commitment to myself and my staff and support group," he said. "I love my job, I love these kids and I love the University of Tennessee."

The pay increase keeps Fulmer, 57, in the middle of the Southeastern Conference coaching pack when it comes to salaries.

"It's an extremely competitive football league, and I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that in any given year ... we're capable of winning a national championship," Tennessee men's athletic director Mike Hamilton said.

Fulmer has a 147-45 record and is coming of an SEC Eastern Division title. His new contract includes several guaranteed raises and extensions based on his team's success.

An SEC Eastern Division title earns a $100,000 raise along with his annual $150,000 base pay increase. A BCS bowl appearance without winning the SEC would earn $150,000 more, an SEC title $350,000 more and a national championship $850,000. Those raises would not be combined in a single season; only the raise for the top achievement is given.

For every eight-win season, he'll receive an extra year on his contract.

Fulmer was on vacation and not immediately available for comment.

Hamilton indicated the built-in pay raises for reaching certain benchmarks might prevent the need to renegotiate Fulmer's contract every year as has become the expectation.

Fulmer's base salary is worth $375,000. The rest of his compensation comes from media commitments, equipment and apparel fees and product endorsements.

Should Fulmer remain at Tennessee through the end of 2012, he'll also be rewarded with a $1 million longevity bonus to celebrate his 20th anniversary as head coach.

Fulmer's staff of assistants also received raises totaling $250,000. Defensive coordinator John Chavis and new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will each receive $340,000 -- a $40,000 boost over last year's coordinator salaries.

The athletic department increased football ticket prices for the upcoming season to help pay for both salary increases and the rising costs to do business in a tougher economy.

"The fans want championships, they expect championships and in essence they pay for it," Hamilton said.

Pearl was previously signed through 2013 and made $1.3 million last season. His new deal increases his salary to an average $2.3 million a year. It includes a $250,000 bonus and an upfront retention bonus of $1.5 million.

"We went to Bruce and talked about giving him some upfront money to incent him to feel even better about Tennessee than he already does," Hamilton said.

Should he chose to leave Tennessee in the next five years, Pearl would owe a buyout that starts at $2.5 million and decreases incrementally each season to $1 million.

Under Pearl, Tennessee experienced its best season with a 31-5 record, the first outright regular-season Southeastern Conference championship since 1967 and a second consecutive NCAA tournament regional semifinal appearance.

The Vols also achieved their first top ranking in The Associated Press basketball poll after toppling previously unbeaten Memphis.


I can see Pearl getting a raise and extension that long, but I'm a little surprised about Fulmer, even though he captured the East last year. I thought there were many UT fans kind of hoping he was ready to move on or retire. I also have been hearing all kinds of rumors from some UT fans on their boards about some silent deal or hope that Spurrier was about to consider a move to UT. Thoughts... particularly from the UT faithful?

I, for one, am in no way suprised.
I'm pleased that these coaches are sealed up for the long haul.

Congrats to Coach Fulmer, he deserves it.


RTR

I would tend to agree; but, there sure has been a lot of dissension among the Vol crowd over the last few years.

Pearl is a good move for sure. he's one of the best college b-ball coaches around. UT is VERY lucky to have him.

Fulmer -- well, not so much. Fulmer has been shaky ever since winning the NC in '98. I'd hazard to say he has lost more "big games" than won. I'd say he's probably .500 against top 20 teams; .250 against top 10 teams. And, that's not great.

On the other hand, he is a good recruiter. Administers a large program well. Fits in well at UT. Just not the best game coach.

Hard question though is whether UT would do better with someone else. In the context of the ferocious SEC, particularly SEC East -- frankly I doubt it. I really think odds are if UT got rid of Fulmer and brought someone else in -- odds are the program would decline.

at least now they are in the mix every year. and that's pretty good in the sec. 1 million raise -- crazy in the abstract. but, in context of what other sec coaches are making -- i guess it's fair.

so -- all in all -- i guess it was the right move. just hope UT can fire him in future if need be without paying too much out...

I say a raise for both coaches was much needed. Fulmer is now being paid in the middle of the pack of the SEC. I'd say he is somewhere in the middle of the pack pertaining to the SEC's top coaches. He is a great recruiter and coach. He brings a lot of class to our university. He should be rewarded for winning the East and giving the National Champions a run for their money. I see no problem in his raise. Although I doubt he will still be coaching in 2012.

I don't think I have to say much to support why Bruce Pearl got a raise. The guy is a stud.

Obviously I have no quams with giving Pearl an extension. In addition to the on-court results, he continues to recruit like a mother!! He's stealing recruits from all of the big boys...something we've never seen in these parts!

I'm pretty much in agreement with Sportsfan regarding Fulmer. Although, I do not see any reason to extend his contract at this point. I know it's all a facade, but the AD is really putting the University in deeper financial waters by doing this. I think the real key to Fulmer's success is with regards to putting the right staff around him. Fulmer is and never has been a good game day or X's and O's coach, but he has always had the ability to bring in talent. Is the new staff going to bring the success we've been lacking for so long?? Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that the past 5-6 years have been pretty brutal and has lacked anything resembling solid, consistent football. Winning the East last year was fool's gold and I don't think you reward consistent mediocrity. That said, Fulmer's earned the right to stay on as Coach until a clearly better option arises. Seeing as how that "option" has yet to materialize, I will support him. But, we need to start seeing some significant signs of improvement and a clear goal as well as philosophy. Things that have highlighted our recent years of mediocrity!

I'm OK with keeping his pay competitive, but is an extension necessary??

Yes, and NO!!

Prepare for the flaming!!

So this is what we've been degraded to?? Taking solace in moral victories?? This is precisely why he SHOULDN'T be rewarded IMO.

I am surprised due to the fact that Fulmer has been less than popular with many fans lately. We will see how the Vol chatter goes at the end of the year...Now, I would have been surprised indeed, were Pearl not offered a contract extention.

I don't see the need for an extension either. I doubt he will be still coaching by 2010. It seems like he wants to get the all-time wins record at Tennessee and thats it. I wouldn't be surprised to see him hand it over to Clawson.

Ok, you are right about that.

Please tell me you are not one of those Johnny Majors supporters.

Considering we hadn't won the East since 2004 I'd say that was a big step for us especially in a year when we were picked to finish 3rd in our division. Coaches are rewarded for accomplishments. Winning the East was an accomplishment for us. It should always be every teams first goal - to win their division. If Ainge wouldn't have thrown two interceptions in the final quarter of the SEC Championship game Fulmer's raise would have been higher.

With the rising cost of food it is necessary that Fulmer gets a raise.

C'mon now... you know as well as I do that the man has lifetime freebies at Krispy Kreme and The Trough (otherwise known as Ryan's). Dents their bottom line, for sure... but word of mouth advertising is the best way to go.

You think Hamilton has the cahunas to fire him?

I hope it does not come to that. Hopefully Fulmer will get another SEC or BCS title before he is through and can retire on his own terms. I am not confident this can happen, but it is possible.

I go back-and-forth on Fulmer. The season certainly had some highs and lows and I wanted to see him gone at times, but we did make it to the title game. I don't think that he is a great coach, but there is a lot of excitement around the program based on the new additions to the staff and the early returns from recruiting. I think that makes it a good time to give him a raise. The Pearl raise was clearly a no-brainer.