University of South Florida athletic director Doug Woolard has extended the contract of USF football head coach Skip Holtz through the 2017 season according to the Tampa Tribune.
The news came as Woolard announced Holtz's contract extension in a statement released earlier this morning. According to the Tribune, Holtz was being pursued by other schools. The university felt it was "important to maintain the stability and continuity of leadership in our football program'' according to the statement from Woolard.
With the new extension, Holtz's salary will be raised to $2 millon per year. If his contract was terminated after this season, the school would be forced to pay a $2.5 million buyout as part of his current contract's terms and conditions.
Holtz is now in the midst of his third season as head coach of the USF Bulls' football program. With a current record of 15-16 overall and 10 losses out of the last 11 games against other Big East teams, the team's performance under Holtz has been criticized by many. The Bulls' 2-4 start with an 0-2 record against Big East opponents this season surely doesn't help Holtz's case for staying on board with the program.
The Bulls have no game this weekend following their hard-fought loss against Florida State and last week's surprising upset at the hand of Temple. The team's next game will be an away match against no. 18 ranked and still-undefeated Louisville on Saturday, October 20.
