New ECU contract for Skip Holtz

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina University has announced that an extension of head football coach Skip Holtz’ contract, which would help secure his position through the 2013 season, was approved Friday by the University’s Board of Trustees. The new six-year agreement provides a guaranteed compensation package of $4.07 million and a modified incentive and bonus structure that could reach a total of approximately $9.5 million.

Holtz, who has led the Pirates to two bowl appearances and consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1999 and 2000 campaigns, has guided No. 23 East Carolina to a 3-1 start in 2008. Included in the three victories was a 27-22 triumph over No. 17 Virginia Tech in the season opener and a 24-3 decision over No. 8 West Virginia that vaulted ECU into the Top 25 for the first time since 1999.

The contract calls for a guaranteed base salary, marketing, radio and television total of $565,000 in 2008 with an increase to $605,000 in 2009 before $50,000 additions in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 if Holtz remains the head coach for the Pirates. Incentive and bonus compensation related to season ticket sales (amount equal to $25 per season ticket sold), Pirate Club donations (amount equal to five percent of annual fund) and student academic success (starting at $100,000 and increasing by $25,000 per year) are also a part of the agreement.

“I remain genuinely appreciative and grateful to the leadership we have at East Carolina for the confidence and support they have in the direction that our program is heading,” Holtz said. “The level of commitment that is currently in place at ECU and the unmatched support of the Pirate Nation have allowed us to be in a competitive position at college football’s highest level.”

Holtz, 44, became East Carolina’s 19th head football coach in the school’s history on Dec. 3, 2004 and quickly revived a program that had won just three contests in a 25-game period in two-plus seasons prior to his arrival. Accompanying the Pirates’ turnaround on the field, which include a 7-6 finish in 2006 and an 8-5 record in 2007, has been dramatic school-record attendance increases at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
*****from ECU grad Jim Modlin*****