NCAA bids in men's basketball, men's hockey mean higher bonuses for Wisconsin coaches (2024)

The return of University of Wisconsin men's basketball and men's hockey teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 meant higher bonus payouts for the athletic department.

Twenty-three coaches of Badgers winter teams combined to earn more than $375,000 in bonuses tied to team performance in the 2023-24 season.

The bonus total paid was 54% higher than Wisconsin winter sports coaches received in 2022-23.

Badgers men's basketball and men's hockey coaches received a 5% bonus for appearing in the NCAA Tournament. The hockey team hadn't played in the event since 2021, while Greg Gard and his basketball staff got a 3% bonus in 2023 for making the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

Most coaches' bonuses are percentages of their full salary but Gard and men's hockey coach Mike Hastings have a smaller amount written into their contract for that purpose. It's $1 million for Gard, who received a $50,000 bonus. It's $500,000 for Hastings, so his bonus was $25,000.

The athletic department's bonus policy awards higher rates for better finishes. Winning conference and national coach of the year awards also means extra money.

The biggest payout among Badgers winter teams in 2023-24 was for women's hockey, which lost to Ohio State in the NCAA championship game. Coach Mark Johnson, associate head coach Dan Koch, assistant coach Jackie Crum and strength and conditioning coach Paul Valukas combined for more than $148,000 in bonuses.

Johnson had a bonus clause added to his contract in December 2022 that gives him 15% if the Badgers lose in the Frozen Four semifinals, 25% if they lose in the NCAA championship game and 30% if they win the final. His total bonus was 30% of his $382,944 salary, or $114,883.20.

Strength and conditioning coaches receive a 5% bonus if the teams they work with reach levels of the NCAA Tournament specified in Wisconsin's bonus policy. For hockey, that bar is the Frozen Four. In basketball and volleyball, it's the Sweet 16.

Wisconsin's Athletic Board approved recommendations for bonuses for winter sports coaches at its April 19 meeting. The bonus payouts are subject to withholding and are issued through the university's payroll system from money held in an athletic department account at the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Badgers swimming and diving coaches received a 10% bonus because the women's team finished among the top 20% at the NCAA championship (5%) and had an individual national champion (5%). Phoebe Bacon's title in the 200-yard backstroke added the latter.

The team's total in bonuses was more than $53,000, led by $16,886.20 to head coach Yuri Suguiyama.

Wrestling coaches get a 2% bonus if a Badgers athlete qualifies for the NCAA championship, and five did in 2024. That led to a bonus total just under $10,000 for Wisconsin wrestling coaches, led by $5,412.18 to head coach Chris Bono.