Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 11, 2000
Clemson extends Bowden's contract
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Tommy Bowden says he likes Clemson because of its cozy atmosphere.
After signing a seven-year contract extension Friday worth $1.1-million annually plus incentives, the coach will be able to enjoy the small-town surroundings in a big way.
Bowden will be paid a base salary of $165,000 with a $30,000 annuity. He will be guaranteed endorsement and speaking engagement income of $350,000 and radio/TV income of $554,500.
As Clemson announced the extension late Friday afternoon, Bowden, 46, said he hopes this will be the last stop of his coaching tenure.
"When I originally took this job after 19 years as an assistant, I had pretty much identified this as one of the schools where I could very easily spend the rest of my career," Bowden said. "Now that I've been here for two years, I'm thoroughly convinced."
The deal includes a number of incentive bonuses that would make the contract worth a maximum of $1,363,791.66 if Clemson goes 12-0 or 13-0 and wins the national championship.
Bowden will be paid $25,000 for each regular-season victory over seven and up to 11 in any year, under the condition the bonus money must be paid back if he leaves Clemson for another school.
Clemson athletics director Bobby Robinson wouldn't comment on reports that linked Bowden to the job vacated by Mike DuBose at Alabama, but said Clemson approached Bowden about an extension early in the season, long before the Alabama talk began.
The Tigers are 8-2 this season and 14-8 in two years under Bowden.
Clemson is a virtual lock to play in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day after the Nov. 18 regular-season finale against South Carolina.
"We actually went to him early in the year," Robinson said. "We did that because we are totally convinced that he is the right person for Clemson. We want a marriage for a long time, so that's why we pursued it."
The Tigers are 8-2 this season and 14-8 in two years under Bowden.
Clemson is a virtual lock to play in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day after the Nov. 18 regular-season finale against South Carolina.
DAYNE SUED: A former Wisconsin lineman has sued Ron Dayne over a 1998 locker room scuffle, claiming the Heisman Trophy winner caused an eye injury that ended his career.
Pat Daley's suit, filed in Madison, Wis., alleges the injury cost him any chance of playing as a professional. The lawsuit seeks unspecified medical expenses and compensation for lost college and professional football opportunities, compensatory damages, compensation for pain and suffering, punitive damages and attorney fees.
"Suffice it to say we do not agree with the facts as they are presented in the complaint," said Timothy Sweeney, an attorney for Dayne, who now plays for the New York Giants.
According to the suit, Daley, Dayne and teammates were in the locker room preparing for practice when Dayne threw one of Daley's shoes into a whirlpool bath. Daley thought the shoe was ruined and confronted Dayne, demanding Dayne buy him replacements.
Dayne then hit Daley in the left eye, the lawsuit states. Offensive lineman Aaron Gibson, who now plays for the Detroit Lions, grabbed Daley from behind, pinning his arms, and Dayne again hit Daley, shattering the orbital socket around his left eye.
Metal plates were needed to repair the eye socket, and he sat out the remainder of the 1998 season. He did not play in 1999.
BAYLOR HIRES STEELE: The Waco, Texas, school extended coach Kevin Steele's contract, despite his 3-17 record. The school declined to release details, citing its status as a private institution.
Steele is in his second season at Baylor after serving as an assistant for the NFL's Panthers. He replaced Dave Roberts, who was fired after consecutive 2-9 years.
Steele was 1-10 in his first year at Baylor and is 2-7 this year.
MONMOUTH 27, ST. JOHN'S 14: Bill Rankin threw two touchdowns for visiting Monmouth. Rankin, who was 14-for-32 for 146 yards, threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Yuriel Riley in the first quarter and a 7-yarder to Matt Merklinger with 25 seconds left in the second.