COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — New Ohio State women’s basketball coach Beth Burns has agreed to a five-year contract that will pay her at least $300,000 a year — almost double the package that her predecessor had.
Burns was hired on April 2 to replace Nancy Darsch, who was fired on March 10 after a 234-125 record in 12 years as head coach.
Ohio State athletics director Andy Geiger confirmed that Burns had signed the contract on Monday. The agreement was not available, however, pending the anticipated signatures of Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee and Janet Pichette, a vice president for business administration at the university.
Burns will be paid a base salary of $150,000 this year, the same as men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien will receive. Both contracts contain incentive bonuses.
Burns’ total package, including income from radio, television, apparel and camp contracts, is estimated to be at least $300,000 a year. O’Brien’s package has been estimated at $650,000 a year.
Darsch was hired on Tuesday as the coach of the New York Liberty, a team in the fledgling Women’s National Basketball Association. Darsch, 45, agreed on Friday to a buyout of the final year of her Ohio State contract. Her total package was estimated at $150,000 a year.
Burns completed her staff on Tuesday by hiring four coaches, including three members of her staff last year at San Diego State.
Eileen Feeney and Cathy McDonald, both full-time assistants under Burns last year, were hired as full-time assistants. They were joined by Edith Thompson, an assistant coach for Darsch the last three years at Ohio State.
Tammy Stephens, a part-time member of Burns’ staff last year, will be director of basketball operations.