Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin secures a $250,000 salary increase and assumes a semi-retirement position in Florida.
Scott Stricklin, the athletic director of the University of Florida, has signed a three-year extension on his contract, keeping him in the position through October 2030. The extension, which was signed in June 2022, comes with a significant pay rise, as Stricklin's annual base salary has been increased to more than $2 million.
The extension also includes a provision for Stricklin to become a "special assistant to the athletic director" for five years starting in 2030. This semi-retirement role, similar to the one former Florida AD Jeremy Foley held following his retirement in 2016, will see Stricklin earn a $100,000 annual salary for five years, along with benefits and use of the athletic association's aircraft.
Stricklin's tenure at Florida has been marked by success, with the university winning 13 national titles and 45 conference crowns during his nine-year tenure. Florida has also won at least one national title every year under Stricklin's leadership, a feat that is unprecedented in the school's history.
One of Stricklin's most notable achievements during his tenure has been the hiring of current Florida football coach Billy Napier and men's basketball coach Todd Golden. Under Golden's leadership, the men's basketball team won the national championship in his third season in Gainesville and recently signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension.
In addition to hiring successful coaches, Stricklin has overseen the construction of an $85 million football facility and a $65 million baseball stadium during his tenure. The university also has preliminary plans for a $1 billion renovation project for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, known as "the Swamp."
Stricklin's contract extension comes at a time of change for the university, with new Florida interim president Dr. Donald Landry having been confirmed last month. A search committee is expected to begin searching for a permanent Florida school president early next year.
Looking ahead, Stricklin could potentially earn up to $2.175 million per year with bonuses. In addition to his new role at Florida, Stricklin has also taken on a role as a special advisor at the University of Georgia, where the new president is Jere Morehead.
