ODESSA, Texas — The University of Texas Permian Basin announced Monday that Head Coach Kris McCullough signed a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the program through 2026. The agreement also includes incentives that could extend the deal through 2029. This also makes the first-year head coach one of the highest paid coaches in the Lone Star Conference.
This new deal starts January 1, 2024 and McCullough will earn a base salary of $160,000. It will increase $5,000 each year.
"What Kris has accomplished in his first year is incredible; he has earned this contract," VP of Athletics Todd Dooley said. "Kris is a highly sought-after coach, and we are grateful that we have him locked-in as a Falcon for several more years. Kris is dedicated to our football program and his players, and we can't wait to see what's in store for him."
McCullough was named the next head coach of the program back in December 2022. That contract kept the coach in Odessa through 2025. The main difference in this new contract is the incentives portion.
In 2023, there were six performance-based incentives that earned Coach McCullough bonuses:
The head football coach will receive a base salary increase any year the football team finishes with eight wins or more.
If paid attendance for home football games equals or exceeds an average of 5,000 for the season, he will get $5,000.
If the team wins the Lone Star Conference championship, Coach McCullough receives $5,000.
If the team participates in post-season NCAA competition, $2,500 will be given.
If the team wins the NCAA championship, Coach McCullough gets $10,000.
If the football team earns an annual, cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher, $2,500 will be rewarded to Coach McCullough.
The new contract includes five additional incentives, starting in 2024:
An extension of the contract by one year for any season will be granted if the football teams seven or more games. The contract could extend through December 31, 2029.
If the head football coach receives Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year honors, he will receive $5,000.
$7,500 will be given to the head football coach if he receives national coach of the year honors.
Each post-season NCAA playoff win, $2,000 is granted to Coach McCullough.
The football team earns an annual, cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, the Falcons coach gets $5,000.
"We are so excited about this opportunity to match the contract to the momentum in the program. Kris has been an effective and inspirational lead who delivered a conference championship during his first year as a Falcon," UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley said. "Even more impressive, he has build a close-knit family with our student-athletes by setting high standards for his team in the classroom and in our community. We are all thankful that Kris has decided to commit to UTPB and achieve even higher levels of excellence in the future."
The Falcon football program had a record-breaking year under McCullough in year one. The team finished with a program-best 10-2 record, earned its first Lone Star Conference championship and notched its first NCAA playoff bid. Coach McCullough and key players were also honored with national and league honors.
"My family and I are looking forward to continuing our journey in the Basin. This first season has been amazing, and we look forward to continuing to build on our foundation of success," McCullough said. "This contract wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for our staff and their tireless work to build this family and continue to grow these young men on and off the field. I'm very thankful for this opportunity at UTPB."
The hope is that this consistency at the head coaching position for the football team helps bolter recruiting and fan support in order to continues to move forward with the team and university goals.