Good receives hefty pay hike

Steve Addy

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 10:28 a.m.

When Max Good took over as UNLV's men's basketball coach on Dec. 12, the former assistant was rewarded handsomely for coming out of the bullpen.

After the sudden removal of coach Bill Bayno, the university more than doubled Good's annual compensation to $185,000, plus other incentives and perks, UNLV senior associate AD Jerry Koloskie said.

Good's contract wasn't extended, however. His contract -- and those of his three assistant coaches -- will expire after the season.

Good, who declined comment on the topic, is being paid $110,000 in base salary for finishing the year as head coach, a $30,000 raise from his assistant's salary, but $26,500 less than Bayno's $136,500 base.

However, Good will also receive $75,000 for TV and radio appearances, a perk not available to assistants, so that will comprise the bulk of his raise. Bayno's contract paid him a combined $125,000 for TV-radio ($75,000 TV, $50,000 radio).

Though Good took over after the Rebels had played seven games, his contract isn't prorated. He will receive the full amounts.

"It is only fair that (Good) be well compensated, because we appreciate that he was willing to step in and take over," UNLV athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro said. "Some coaches might have run from that challenge, but Max didn't. I'm tickled with the job he's done with the team."

UNLV is 5-1 under Good after Wednesday's 75-60 home victory over Loyola Marymount, having won five straight since a Dec. 16 loss to Cincinnati.

Cavagnaro reiterated that UNLV will let the season play out before determining whether Good will be retained next season or whether the university should search for a new coach. Speculators are already championing Rick Pitino and Bobby Knight as possible successors.

"I understand that there's going to be speculation," Cavagnaro said. "If there wasn't speculation, I would be worried about (fans') interest in our program. But those decisions will be made later.

"It's so early in the season. We haven't even started our (Mountain West) season yet. Let's make this season a success, then address (the coaching situation) later on."

Good's contract also contains incentives for attendance, season ticket sales and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, though the latter is moot unless UNLV successfully appeals the NCAA's postseason ban against the Rebels.

Good also will receive use of a car and the opportunity to conduct a UNLV basketball camp. Bayno's camp last year produced $60,000 in income, but he said the proceeds were split among camp workers.

Unlike Bayno, who received an additional $135,000 a year from Nike's contract with UNLV, Good's contract doesn't include any money from the sports apparel company. Bayno's removal voided that aspect of the university's Nike deal, Koloskie said.