West Virginia University Athletic Director Wren Baker signed a contract extension with West Virginia University through the year 2032. The deal will keep Baker at WVU for roughly 10 years since he arrived in Morgantown from North Texas. Baker’s contract extension comes after months of speculation that he would be leaving West Virginia for either TCU or Oklahoma. Read more: Wren Baker Signs Extension As Athletic Director Through 2032.
WVU president Michael Benson announced Baker’s contract extension Thursday morning (July 24th) on MetroNews Talkline, although it was former WVU president E. Gordon Gee who negotiated the deal with Baker.
“We have extended his contract,” Benson said. “He is doing an unbelievable job. He is the new chair of the athletic directors within the Big 12. I have been on a few calls already with that group. He is very well respected.”
Details On Baker’s Deal
With the signing of the extension, Baker will earn $1.3 million plus incentives and a retention bonus for this year. For the additional seven years, Baker’s salary increases $100,000 each year. In 2032, Baker will earn $2 million.
Throughout the entire extension, Baker’s base salary will reach a combined $13.2 million, an average of $1.65 million per year. His retention incentive will be recorded July 1st of every year.
Under the previous deal, Baker earned an additional $200,000 earlier this month. However, another retention bonus was not due until 2026 and then again in 2028 and 2030.
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Under the latest amendment, Baker will earn a $200,000 retention bonus every July, except for 2030 and 2032, when it will increase to $500,000. The retention will be paid to Baker as long as he remains employed by WVU as of July 1st each year.
Former president Gee completed the amendment by writing, “I extend and amend your appointment with pleasure for the continued benefit of West Virginia University.”
Baker’s exit clause is $1 million if he leaves for another school this year. It decreases $800,000 in 2026 and continues to drop by $200,000 per year through 2029. The buyout is $100,000 per year from 2030-31 and drops to zero in 2032 when Baker’s current deal expires.
What Baker Has Done So Far As WVU’s Athletic Director
Baker has seen many changes throughout his first 30 months as West Virginia’s Athletic Director, including three head coaching changes within the men’s basketball program, including the resignation of Hall-of-Fame coach Bob Huggins. Baker also hired head football coach Rich Rodriguez after firing Neal Brown earlier this year.
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Baker also hired Mike Kellogg as the women’s basketball coach in 2023, after former coach Dawn Plitzuweit left after just one season. Baseball Head Coach Steve Sabins became the successor to former coach Randy Mazey under Baker’s watch. In recent days, Baker had extended the contracts of Sabins and Kellogg, and rifle coach Jon Hammond. Baker also finalized the contract of men’s baketball coach Ross Hodge.
