LSU board approves several coaches’ salaries

The LSU Board of Supervisors on Friday approved a new contract for Johnny Jones to serve as head coach of LSU’s men’s basketball team.

Under the contract, Jones will be paid about $1.1 million per year, including $350,000 in base salary plus $750,000 annually in supplemental pay for radio, television and internet appearances. He is also eligible to receive up to $500,000 in postseason incentives and $100,000 in academic incentive compensation.

The contract runs through June 2017.

Jones, a former LSU basketball player, made a brief appearance at the LSU board meeting to introduce himself to board members.

Jones, 51, said his goal is to get the basketball team to the same level of notoriety as LSU’s football team, “competing for championships.”

LSU announced Jones’ hiring in April to replace Trent Johnson, who went 67-64 in four seasons before leaving for Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

Jones, a DeRidder native, becomes the school’s 21st basketball coach and the fifth alumnus to coach the team.

Nicknamed “The Bullet,” Jones played guard for an LSU team that reached the Final Four in 1981. He later served as an assistant coach under Dale Brown.

The LSU Board also approved contracts for seven assistant football coaches and two assistant men’s basketball coaches. The coaches and their contracts are:

• John Chavis, football defensive coordinator, will be paid $900,000, $1.1 million and $1.3 million annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Greg Studrawa, football offensive coordinator, will be paid $500,000 annually for three years.
• Steven Kragthorpe, football assistant coach, will be paid $400,000, $425,000 and $450,000 annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Frank Wilson, football associate head coach, will be paid $550,000, $600,000 and $650,000 annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Steve Ensminger, football assistant coach, will be paid $230,000, $250,000 and $300,000 annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Andreá “Brick” Haley, football assistant coach, will be paid $400,000, $420,000 and $440,000 annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Thomas McGaughey, football assistant coach, will be paid $290,000, $300,000 and $310,000 annually between 2012 and 2014.
• Robert Kirby, men’s basketball assistant coach, will be paid $240,000 through June 30, 2013.
• Charles Leonard, men’s basketball assistant coach, will be paid $130,000 through June 30, 2013.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said salaries will be paid from revenue earned by the athletic department.

“No state funds and no student fees go to pay these salaries,” Alleva said.