Football Coach Dan McCarney Signs Four-Year Contract

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney, who led the Cyclones to their first bowl appearance and eight-win season since 1978 this fall, has signed a new contract that will pay him $600,000 per year through the 2004 football season. The contract includes a state base salary of $200,000 in addition to $400,000 annually in shoe and apparel agreements, radio and television show revenue and endorsements. The contract runs through Jan. 1, 2005.

"Dan has been a great representative of Iowa State University," ISU Interim President Richard Seagrave said. "We are very confident in his leadership and in the direction he is providing for our football program."

The new contract includes an incentive package that rewards McCarney for strong graduation rates, earning a bowl game bid, appearing in and winning the Big 12 Conference championship game, being named Big 12 coach of the year or national coach of the year, coaching a team that ranks among the AP or CNN top 25 in the season's final poll and coaching a team that earns a spot in a BCS or New Year's day bowl game.

"We are excited about what Dan McCarney and his staff have accomplished for our football program and what he can accomplish at Iowa State in the future," Iowa State director of athletics Bruce Van De Velde said. "I think the future of Iowa State football is very bright."

Iowa State, 8-3 this season, is preparing for its Insight.com Bowl showdown against Pittsburgh Dec. 28 in Phoenix, Ariz. The Cyclones' 2000 campaign marked the school's first winning season since 1989. McCarney's latest ISU team was only the sixth squad in school history to record eight victories and a bowl win would equal the school record for wins, set in 1906.

"I'm committed to building upon the successes we have experienced at Iowa State," McCarney said. "I appreciate the confidence the University administration has placed in our vision for this football program."

McCarney's former contract, which ran through the 2001 season, was for $300,000 annually, including a state base salary of $169,855.