The Illinois Fighting Illini are busy at work courting VCU's Shaka Smart to be the program's next head coach, and today we learn more details of what will happen if Smart is to accept. It is written into Smart's VCU contract that should he take another coaching position, his new team must pay VCU $250,000 or schedule a home-and-home series with the Rams for two seasons.
From the Chicago Tribune:
In hopes of luring Smart, Illinois has guaranteed facility renovations, a long-term contract and a salary near the top of the Big Ten. His annual compensation would be comparable to that of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who makes more than $3 million per year according to USA Today salary reports.
Smart, who reportedly was on the road Tuesday recruiting in North Carolina for VCU, earned $1.285 million last season. His contract stipulates an $800,000 buyout if he leaves for another job before April 30.
The school that hires Smart must schedule a two-year home-and-home series with the Rams or pay them $250,000.
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