A little over a month after reaching an agreement in principle, Butch Jones and Cincinnati have officially sealed the deal on a new contract.
In a release, UC announced that Jones has agreed to a new deal that contains both a three-year extension and a bump in annual compensation. Jones, who just completed his second season with the Bearcats, is now signed through the 2017 season.
“I have tremendous faith in Coach Jones and his ability to lead our young men on the football field, in the classroom and in the community,” athletic director Whit Babcock said in a statement. “I appreciate his loyalty to the University of Cincinnati and we look forward to great things in future seasons.”
Jones made just under $1.4 million in 2011; in 2012, he will pull in $1.575 million. The new deal will include built-in annual raises that will help the contract top out at just over $2 million in the final year of the deal. Additionally, Jones will be eligible for $300,000 retention bonuses in the last three years of the new contract.
In his two years at the school, the Bearcats have gone 14-10. Following a 10-win 2011 season that saw UC claim a share of the Big East title, Jones was named the conference’s Coach of the Year.
After that six-win turnaround, Jones’ name was attached to openings at North Carolina, Illinois and UCLA.
“I’m very grateful of the support shown from UC President Dr. Gregory Williams, the UC Board of Trustees and director of athletics Whit Babcock,” Jones said. “This a commitment to our staff and to the football program as a whole. It’s another illustration of the tremendous support our administration as we continue to work on a daily basis to build a college football program of national relevance.”