Despite failing to play in any postseason tournament in 2014-15, Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino is getting a raise.
According to the Pioneer Press, Pitino received a boost of $400,000, raising his annual salary to $1.6 million.
Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune reports that Pitino was given the raise out of fear that he would leave Minnesota for the formerly vacant head coaching position at the University of Alabama. Thus, the raise came one year earlier than scheduled, Hartman says.
Pitino’s father, Rick Pitino, head coach at Louisville, told Jim Rome that his son seriously considered taking the job at Alabama before dedicating himself to the ongoing rebuilding project with the Gophers.
The 32-year-old coach is entering his third season with the Gophers. He guided Minnesota to the NIT title in 2013-14 before last year’s 18-15, postseason-less finish. Overall, the Gophers are 43-28 under Pitino but only 14-22 in the Big Ten.
Pitino’s original contract was a six-year deal signed in 2013. The Pioneer Press says two years are expected to be added to the four years remaining on the deal.
Earlier this week, Rick Pitino received a contract extension with Louisville through the 2025-26 season. Sports Illustrated notes that the elder Pitino will soon be making an annual salary of more than $5 million.
