Gillispie agrees to contract extension

By: Brent Shirley

Posted: 3/30/07

The Texas A&M Board of Regents voted Friday morning to offer head basketball coach Billy Gillispie a contract extension. Gillispie will earn $1.75 million a year through 2015, up from the $1.2 million he was guaranteed through 2012. He will still receive the $1 million bonus if he stays through 2012,along with a $750,000 bonus if he stays through 2015.

The Board of Regents also announced that Gillispie has agreed to the contract.

"I am thankful for the commitment Texas A&M continues to make to allow us to do the things we need to do, to achieve our ultimate goal-winning a national championship," Gillispie said. "The commitment has been there since day one and continues to grow stronger still. While it's embarrassing to me to be compensated so well to perform my passion for a school I love.

Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne said Gillispie's new contract puts him in the top ten highest paid basketball coaches in the nation.

"I am sincerely appreciative of the efforts of Bill Byrne , our university administration, the board of regents and everyone associated with Texas A&M for their personal support they continue to show. We will continue to do our best to try and make the Texas A&M family proud."