DEAL CONFIRMED: Maryland confirm athletic director contract deal for $1.3 million
On Monday, the University of Maryland announced an extension of Damon Evans’ contract as athletic director through 2029. His new deal is valued at approximately $1.3 million per year, placing him among the top one-third of Big Ten athletic directors.
According to a copy of the contract obtained by InsideMDSports, Evans will have a base salary of $1 million, which is an increase of $280,000 from his previous contract signed in 2022. His salary could rise further with potential cost of living adjustments from the state government or raises from school president Darryl Pines. Additionally, Evans will receive $280,000 in early supplemental income for radio and TV appearances, promotional events, and other typical AD duties that often come with extra pay.
Evans can earn up to $45,000 annually in bonuses based on achieving benchmarks related to the program’s academic progress rate (APR), fundraising goals, and team success. Given the increasing importance of fundraising in the NIL era, his contract includes incentives for boosting donations and increasing Terrapin Club memberships by at least five percent.
Based on the latest available data on Big Ten AD salaries, Evans’ salary would rank third in the conference. However, since some ADs have received raises or retired, and the data does not include salaries for Rutgers, Northwestern, or the new ADs from UCLA, USC, Washington, and Oregon, Evans is likely in the top one-third of the conference, although his ranking might change when adjusted for cost of living.
Big Ten AD Salaries in 2023:
1. Gene Smith, Ohio State: $2.06 million
2. Josh Whitman, Illinois: $1.5 million
3. Pat Kraft, Penn State: $1.285 million
4. Warde Manuel, Michigan: $1.25 million
5. Mark Coyle, Minnesota: $1.05 million
6. Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin: $1 million
7. Mike Bobinski, Purdue: $975,000
8. Damon Evans, Maryland: $845,000
9. Trev Alberts, Nebraska: $800,000
10. Alan Haller, Michigan State: $800,000
11. Beth Goetz, Iowa: $650,000
12. Scott Dolson, Indiana: $626,000
Under Evans, Maryland football has seen consistent improvement since Mike Locksley was hired in 2019. The team has won three consecutive bowl games and boasts a highly ranked recruiting class. However, there is some dissatisfaction among fans regarding the men’s basketball program, which had a losing season last year. Evans also hired Kevin Willard, who needs a strong rebound in the upcoming season.
Maryland’s Olympic sports teams, traditionally strong, faced challenges in the 2023-2024 season but have been competitive since joining the Big Ten in 2014. The women’s basketball team, led by Brenda Frese, remains elite despite not reaching the Final Four in a decade.
Evans has been proactive in raising funds and advancing facility improvements, including the $149 million Jones-Hill Field House for football and a $52 million standalone facility for basketball, set to be completed by 2025. He has also overseen enhancements to game-day experiences, such as new video boards and numerous facility upgrades. While NIL fundraising data is not public, it is evident that the program’s NIL offerings have significantly increased.
In a press release, Evans expressed pride in representing the university and athletic department, highlighting ongoing capital projects and resource allocations aimed at competing at the highest levels in both the nation and the Big Ten Conference.