COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Monte Lee has received a new six-year contract that will pay him $2.75 million after leading the Tigers to the program's first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title in 10 seasons.
The university's Board of Trustee Compensation Committee approved the new deal Thursday.
Lee's contract will keep him at Clemson through 2022. He'll make $400,000 next season, with the salary gradually climbing to $500,000 in 2022, the final year of the contract. Lee will also receive a $50,000 bonus once he signs the deal.
Lee led the Tigers to 44 victories and an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title this season, his first since taking over from Hall-of-Fame coach Jack Leggett.
Lee's two assistants, Bradley LeCroy and Andrew See also received new contracts paying them each $151,500 next spring.
Lee arrived at Clemson after seven seasons at the College of Charleston. The Tigers were considered a work in progress, but behind ACC player of the year Seth Beer rose to one of the top eight seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
"My family and I tremendously enjoyed our first year in Clemson and we're excited to build upon the successes of our first season," Lee said in a statement.
Lee's contract includes several incentives, including $80,000 should the Tigers win the College World Series. He'll also receive a $5,000 if the baseball team's NCAA APR is 965 out of 1,000 or higher.
The school would owe Lee $1.35 million should it terminate him without cause in the deal's first season. Lee would owe Clemson $675,000 if he chooses to leave next year. Both figures decrease over the length of the deal.
Clemson finished the season ranked No. 15 in the USA Today coaches poll, the highest final ranking since 2010, and averaged 4,664 fans per home date (35) in 2016, the ninth-highest figure in the nation and tops in the ACC.
Things didn't end well for Clemson in the NCAAs, losing twice to Oklahoma State and failing to advance to the super regionals. But athletic director Dan Radakovich believes the program is in good hands.
"Our baseball program is positioned to consistently compete for conference and national championships well into the future under the direction of coach Lee," Radakovich said.
