Chris Ash would've been owed a buyout of $9.8 million if Rutgers fired him after last season, his third as head coach. If he's fired after this season, the buyout is lower but still significant.
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When Ash arrived in New Brunswick in December 2015 after two years as Ohio State defensive coordinator, he signed a five-year, $11-million contract. Two years later, after a four-win season (and three Big Ten wins), Ash signed a five-year extension that runs through the 2022 season.
It calls for a base salary of $550,00 per year, though he receives "Additional Guaranteed Compensation" that began at $1.55 million for March 1, 2017, through Feb. 28, 2018, and increases by $100,000 through the end of the contract.
Additional Guaranteed Compensation for each remaining year:
March 1, 2019-Feb. 28, 2020: $1.75 million
March 1, 2020-Feb. 28, 2021: $1.85 million
March 1, 2021-Feb. 28, 2022: $1.95 million
March 1, 2022-Feb. 28, 2023: $2.05 million
Ash is eligible for several bonuses, among them:
Big Ten Coach of the Year: $50,000
National Coach of the Year: $100,000
Appearance in final AP Top 25: $50,000
Big Ten Championship appearance: $100,000
Big Ten Championship: $50,000
CFP Semifinal appearance: $175,000
CFP Semifinal win: $250,000
National championship: $500,000
If fired before the contract expiration on Feb. 28, 2023, Chris Ash is owed a buyout equal to the remaining balance. For example, (for simplicity's sake) if fired on Feb. 28, 2020, he is owed $7.5 million ($550,000 for each of the final three years plus the Additional Guaranteed Compensation for each of the final three years).
