Back in mid-December, Arizona State defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales was hired by his alma mater New Mexico and tasked with turning around the struggling Lobo program.
The terms of his were provided to the Albuquerque Journal recently, noting that they "continue to finalize a deal that will most likely include new incentives." Gonzales agreed to a 5-year deal that will pay him $750,000 annually. That is a bit below what former head coach Bob Davie made leading the program ($822,690).
As the defensive coordinator at Arizona State the past two seasons, Gonzales made $525,000 annually.
If UNM were to terminate the deal with Gonzales before the full 5-year term, he'd be owed $2 million in the first year of the contract, $1.6 million in the second, $900k in year three, $400k in year four, and he'd be owed the remainder of his base salary if terminated in year five.
If Gonzales were to leave for another opportunity, he would owe New Mexico the same amount based on the scale if UNM were to fire him until the final year of the deal, where he would owe the Lobos nothing.
He can make an additional $50k for a Mountain West title, another $20k for being named the league's coach of the year, and another $25k for earning bowl eligibility.
The deal, which has not yet been finalized, will go in front of the Board of Regents in mid-February.
See the full article and additional incentives here.