University of North Dakota Women's Basketball Coaching Salaries
This article delves into the compensation structure for the University of North Dakota (UND) women's basketball coaching staff, contextualizing it within the broader landscape of coaching salaries at UND and North Dakota State University (NDSU). Information for the 2023-2024 contract season is used.
Overview of Coaching Salaries in North Dakota
North Dakota presents an interesting case study regarding the allocation of salaries to its top college coaches. In many states, the highest-paid public employee is often a football coach. However, North Dakota deviates from this norm. In fact, in 40 of the 50 states, a football coach is the highest-paid public employee. The common denominator? Other than Massachusetts the other nine states do not have a school competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, the highest in college sports. North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have schools competing in the lower Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Alaska and Vermont do not have Division I college football programs. The University of Massachusetts competes as a poorly funded FBS independent program.
At UND, the highest-paid employee through the first 11 months of 2021 was UND vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences Joshua Wynne, who made more than $695,000. The second-highest state employee was UND's hockey coach, Berry, whose salary through the first 11 months of 2021 was $578,781. Matt Entz, the head football coach at North Dakota State University, is the fifth highest-paid state employee, making $396,619 through the first 11 months of 2021.
Mallory Bernhard's Compensation
The highest-paid female coach in the state is UND women's basketball coach Mallory Bernhard, who made $146,213 through the first 11 months of 2021.
Contextualizing Salaries within UND Athletics
UND athletic director Bill Chaves has stated the goal to have Berry's salary rank at the highest reaches of NCAA Division hockey, in which there are 60 programs. "Our goal is to get him in the top 10 or top quartile of coaches around the country," Chaves said. "That is at the least where we want him to be." Bison athletic director Matt Larsen believes Entz's salary is among the best in FCS, which would befit a program that's won nine national championships in the past 11 seasons. Entz won two in his first three seasons. "I would think that in total compensation, he's up near the top," Larsen said. "And if you did it by cost of living, he's doing even better. It costs more to live in California or some other places compared to North Dakota. A dollar just goes farther here."
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Berry and Entz are the only coaches who rank in the top 25 best-paid state employees. Fighting Hawks football head coach Bubba Schweigert is No. 38 on the list, earning $248,096. He is one spot ahead of NDSU men's basketball coach Dave Richman, who pulled in $247,305.
Contract Details and Bonuses
The Forum received copies of the contracts of top coaches at UND and NDSU through open records requests. Berry signed a five-year contract in 2018, replacing the original four-year deal he received from UND after taking over for Dave Hakstol in 2015. Berry's base salary has climbed yearly from $400,000 in 2018-19 to $437,091 in 2021-22.
Berry's contract has a raft of performance bonuses, 21 in all. Berry would receive a an 8% bonus for making the Frozen Four, a 10% bonus for making a title game appearance and a 20% bonus for winning a national championship. Based on his 2021-22 base salary, Berry would earn a bonus of $87,418 if UND wins a national championship this year. His contract stipulates bonuses are limited to 45% of Berry's base salary in a contract year, excluding those received for the team's academic performance. Based on this season's salary, Berry would max out at $196,690 in bonuses.
Berry's contract is different from others at UND and NDSU in that he receives bonuses by percentage of his base salary. Other coaches receive set figures for performance bonuses. Chaves said that's how the hockey coach's contract was structured when Chaves arrived at UND from Eastern Washington. "The template of his contract occurred before I was here, so we just kind of went with it," Chaves said.
Like other coaches at UND and NDSU, Berry receives perks like the use of a car from a local dealership and complimentary tickets. "The University, at the discretion of the Director, shall allow the employee to enter into licensing agreements for the marketing and sale of certain licensed products that bear the name, likeness, photograph, or signature of the Employee," the contract says. These benefits and income opportunities are common in coaching contracts. Entz's deal with NDSU allows "athletically related income and benefits from sources outside NDSU." Among other items, it specifically mentions country club memberships, endorsement or consultation contracts with athletic or apparel companies and housing benefits. Larsen said any income from sources outside NDSU would not be included in Entz's salary reported to the state.
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Entz's contract is structured slightly differently than Berry's. Signed in 2019 when he replaced Chris Klieman as the Bison's coach, Entz's base salary is $300,000 but he receives an annual "personal appearance fee" of $25,000 and a yearly "media appearance fee" for doing television and radio shows that started at $50,000 and increases $5,000 each subsequent contract year. Entz also receives a minimum camp income of $5,000, bringing his guaranteed income in 2021 to at least $395,000. The Bison met each of the bonus criteria for the 2021 season, meaning Entz received a bonus of $44,500. His contract also stipulates bonuses for assistant coaches based on team performance, so each assistant received a $9,000 bonus for 2021.
The buyout clause in Entz's contract calls for his new employer to pay NDSU $150,000. The amount of Berry's buyout clause for accepting another NCAA or National Hockey League job diminished yearly since the start of his contract. If Berry was to accept any other NCAA coaching position before June 30, he'd be required to compensate UND 20% of his current base salary.
Responsibilities of Assistant Coaches
The Assistant Coach - Women's Basketball position assists the Head Women’s Basketball Coach with all aspects of a Division I program. This position provides comprehensive assistance to the Athletics Department in the area of providing instruction to the team. This position will provide instruction to the team that includes, but not limited to, teaching proper skills and techniques, teaching basic physical health concepts to include nutritional education, and teaching team & individual leadership concepts/skills as well as providing general safety instruction. Must have a commitment to compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations. Assist the head women’s basketball coach in all areas of coaching a Division I collegiate women’s basketball program, can include but not limited to: recruiting, scheduling, practice/game management, scouting opponents, academic supervision of student-athletes, public and alumni relations, fundraising and maintaining social media sites for the women’s basketball program. Travel will be involved, including weekends and holidays. Other duties as assigned. Must have a thorough knowledge of and commitment to compliance and follow all NCAA, conference and UND rules and regulations. Must provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well being of the student-athletes.
Financial Performance of UND Athletics
The sports department made a profit of $22,109. That’s a whole lot better than taking a loss! The net profit or loss can vary with each sport. In order to place in College Factual’s sports rankings, you have to have more than a good sports team. So, the program broke even. Teammates care for more than ice hockey, too. In addition to spending time on the field, teammates score well in the classroom, too. Teammates care for more than tennis, too. So, the program broke even. Teammates care for more than volleyball, too.
University of North Dakota Athletics Department Mission and Values
The mission of the University of North Dakota Athletics Department is to support UND through intercollegiate athletics while providing our student-athletes the opportunity to compete, learn and grow. It is UND Athletics vision to create champions in the classroom, community and competition while providing a united and diverse culture. Our core values: accountability - take responsibility for your actions; integrity - respect each other and do what is right; loyalty - take pride in everything you do, commit to excellence and invest in honorable relationships. It is the expectation that a successful candidate will develop, promote, and supervise all facets of the University’s Division I women’s basketball program while abiding by the rules and regulations of the NCAA, University of North Dakota and the conference. This position provides comprehensive assistance to the Athletics Department in the area of providing comprehensive instruction to the team. This position will provide instruction to the team that includes teaching proper skills and techniques, teaching basic physical health concepts to include nutritional education, teaching team and individual leadership concepts/skills as well as providing general safety instruction.
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