WSU's Tony Bennett to earn $1 million per year

Tony Bennett just added a title to a growing list of accomplishments in his stunning first two seasons as Washington State men's basketball coach:

Million-dollar man.

Wednesday, WSU released Bennett's amended contract, upgraded after the Cougars went to the Sweet 16 and he rebuffed several enticing -- and more lucrative -- offers elsewhere. The new pact bumps up his deal by $200,000, giving him a guaranteed $1 million annually.

The contract also was extended by a year to 2015, giving him seven more seasons. Meanwhile, Bennett's buyout provision -- money owed if he leaves before the contract expires -- was adjusted only marginally, peaking at $500,000 and dropping to half that if he stays until May 1, 2012.

Bennett, 38, is almost certainly the first million-dollar employee of any kind at WSU, taking into account only income directly related to his position at the university.

First-year president Elson Floyd, who signed off on Bennett's revised contract earlier this week, makes $600,000, plus retention bonuses that start at $50,000 in his second year. Floyd's predecessor, Lane Rawlins, made $536,000.

Football coach Paul Wulff, hired last December, will make about $600,000 annually. Mike Price, who took the Cougars to Rose Bowls in the 1997 and 2002 seasons, never approached the $1 million mark.

Technically, the Cougars raised the portion of Bennett's collateral compensation from $400,000 to $600,000. That, combined with a base salary of $200,000 and another $200,000 annually for each year he stays, brings him to a million.

"It's well worth the investment," said WSU athletic director Jim Sterk. "Tony's done a great job in representing us, both personally and professionally. He's someone we want to continue building the program with."

Bennett took over from his father Dick, who came out of retirement in 2003 and handed the job to his son before the 2006-07 season. Tony Bennett made $350,000 in his first season as a head coach, but after he led WSU to a 26-8 mark, he was given a three-year extension to seven years and a raise to $800,000 annually.

This season, WSU went 26-9 and made its first NCAA Sweet 16 in history. With the two blowout victories in the tournament, Bennett owns half of WSU's six NCAA-tournament wins. The 52 victories ties him for fourth among Cougars coaches after two years.

Just after WSU bowed out of the tournament with a 68-47 loss to North Carolina, Bennett is believed to have turned down a chance to coach Indiana. Later, Bennett is known to have had feelers from Marquette and Louisiana State.

Most coaches in the Pac-10 are making more than $1 million. Last August, Washington's Lorenzo Romar signed an extension guaranteeing him $1.105 million per season, with incentives that could pay about $1.5 million. Bennett also has incentive clauses, including one that paid another $50,000 for the Sweet 16 appearance.

Sterk has indicated Bennett's assistants will receive raises, something Bennett has campaigned for, along with facilities improvements and some charter travel.

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com