Dec. 20, 2004

MEMPHIS, TENN. - The University of Memphis and head football coach Tommy West have completed a new, $4 million contract that will extend the coach's tenure through the 2009 season and will raise his annual salary to $800,000.

"Obviously, we are very pleased with what Tommy West has accomplished as our head football coach," said Athletic Director R.C. Johnson. "We want Coach West to lead our the Tiger football program for the rest of his coaching career. He and his staff have elevated this program to a new level and we anticipate that under their direction, the program will grow even stronger.

"I would like to thank those in the private sector who stepped forward and helped us finalize the contract for Tommy (West). Without their contributions, this would not have been possible.

"I feel that this contract extension is a tribute to our football staff and what they have been able to accomplish for the University of Memphis. Tommy and his staff are doing everything we have asked of them both on and off the field and I anticipate a long and bright future for our football program."

Under the new contract, West's compensation package will be elevated to $800,000 per year for the next five years. In addition, if West leads the Tigers to a BCS bowl appearance, he will receive an additional $250,000 bonus for his efforts. If his team wins the Conference USA title and makes an appearance in the Liberty Bowl, West will receive a $40,000 stipend.

Other bonus clauses in his contract will remain the same, including a $15,000 payment for the Tigers' appearance in any other bowl game other than the Bowl Championship Series or the Liberty Bowl, a $25,000 bonus for each "National Coach of the Year" award received with the total not to exceed an annual payment of $50,000 and a $15,000 bonus for being selected as the Conference USA Coach of the Year.

West, who took over the Tiger football program in 2001, led his team to a 9-4 record in 2003 and a victory in the New Orleans Bowl and his 2004 squad has posted an 8-3 record and will play in the GMAC Bowl on December 22nd. The post season invitation marks the first time in school history that the Tigers have received back-to-back bowl invitations.