The details of Dave Paulsen’s contract at George Mason became available earlier this week, which includes previously unknown specifics of his bonuses.
On Monday, Mid-Major Madness unveiled a contract database of mid-major coaches. These were collected through a rigorous four-month process to obtain this information through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. Their blog filed 171 requests and received contracts from 149 different schools.
George Mason and Paulsen were one of those. Mid-Major Madness collected the original contract from 2015 and an amended version from 2017.
Most of the information in Paulsen’s contract is pretty standard. His contract is divided into thirds; base salary, supplemental compensation and bonuses. Each totals a similar amount.
Here is the breakdown of his contract that was last amended in 2017. This is assuming there is not another amended version.
Base salary: $400,000
Supplemental compensation: $337,000
Bonuses: $400,000
The base salary and compensation are what determine the contract’s value ($737,000 per year). When Paulsen was hired in 2015, the Washington Post reported the deal was worth five-year, $3.5 million. Since then, through the second amendment, the supplemental compensation rose by $37,000.
It should be noted that around the time of the amendment was also when an extension was announced. In 2017, Paulsen and athletic director Brad Edwards announced Paulsen would remain the coach through the 2021-22 season. The initial contract only employed Paulsen through the end of the 2019-20 season.
Raise and extension included, Paulsen’s deal now rises to a seven years and $5.1 million.
What is most intriguing about Paulsen’s contract is the attendance bonus. Not a factor in the original contract, the bonus was added on the October 2017 revision.
If the attendance at EagleBank Arena averages 4,600 fans throughout the season, Paulsen would receive a $5,000 bonus. He would also receive an additional $500 for every 500 fan increase. In both seasons since he has not reached that threshold.
2017-18: Missed bonus by 512 fans per game
2018-19: Missed bonus by 165 fans per game
Capacity at EagleBank Arena is 7,860 – since the addition of the interior signage covering up 2,000 seats – meaning this threshold is for 58.5% capacity.
The annual average has not reached 4,500 fans since their inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 (2013-14). Paul Hewitt was the head coach and averaged 4,916 fans per game.
Of course, there are also bonuses based on the team’s performance on the court. Again, they’re all pretty standard with nothing standing out. This is the current breakdown:
| Athletic Performance: | Amount: |
| 20+ win regular season | $10,000 |
| RPI of 125 after Conference Tournament | $25,000 |
| Regular Season Conference Championship | $10,000 |
| Tournament Conference Championship | $10,000 |
| Regular Season win vs.Top 100 RPI opponent | $2,500 |
| NCAA Tournament Round of 68 | $50,000 |
| NCAA Tournament Second Round | $50,000 |
| NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 | $50,000 |
| NCAA Tournament Elite 8 | $50,000 |
| NCAA Tournament Final Four | $75,000 |
| NCAA Championship | $100,000 |
| NIT Appearance | $10,000 |
| NIT Semifinals | $25,000 |
| NIT Championship | $75,000 |
| A10 Coach of the Year | $10,000 |
| National Coach of the Year | $25,000 |
Only twice has Paulsen received an athletic performance bonus based on the two contracts unveiled. Once in the 2015-16 season for $1,500 (Top 50 RPI win – VCU). The second was in 2018-19 season when Mason beat Dayton on the road ($2,500 for Top 100 RPI win).
There are other interesting nuggets as well. Paulsen also receives a $25,000 retention bonus for remaining the coach through April 30 of a season. The buyout of Paulsen’s Bucknell contract was $250,000 to become Mason’s coach.
Academic bonuses are included too based on the team’s performance in the classroom. While not all details of the Academic Performance are public information (student-athletes’ grades), the APR score is public. If the team’s APR is higher than 950, starting in the 2017-18 season, he receives a $25,000 bonus. In the one year with an announced APR score, Mason met the mark. The remaining monies earned, which could max out at $75,000 per year, is unknown.
In short, Paulsen has received more bonuses for Mason’s performance in the classroom than on the court.
This piece assumes that Paulsen and Mason Athletics operate under the last known revision of their contract (October 2017). Several details of this piece could vary based on undisclosed contract amendments.
