Mike Neu led Ball State to eight wins (in 12 games) in 1983 as the Cardinals' starting quarterback. Three decades later, as Ball State head coach, Neu has 11 total wins in his first 40 games and might be on the hot seat.
In January 2016, Neu was introduced as head coach signed a five-year contract with an annual salary of $425,000, among the lowest in the FBS. Each contract year (after the first contract year, which began on Jan. 8, 2016) begins on March 1 and ends on the final day of February.
Jan. 8, 2016 – Feb. 29, 2016: $425,000 base salary
March 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018: $425,000
March 1, 2018 – Feb. 28, 2019: $425,000
March 1, 2019 – Feb. 29, 2020: $425,000
March 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021: $425,000
Neu is eligible for several on- and off-the-field bonuses, including:
MAC Coach of the Year: $10,000
National Coach of the Year: $50,000
MAC Division champions: $5,000
MAC champions: $15,000
Power Five win: $10,000
Team APR 950+: $2,500
Team APR 965+: $5,000
If fired without cause before the end of his contract (Feb. 28, 2021), Neu is owed a buyout of his "base salary for the remainder of the otherwise unexpired term." For example, if fired, for simplicity's sake, on Feb. 29, 2020, Neu is owed $425,000 for the remaining year on his contract.
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