Tech football coach signs 6-year deal for $1.1 million a year

ATLANTA (AP) _ Georgia Tech's George O'Leary has joined the ranks of college football coaches earning at least $1 million a year. <br><br>Tech announced Thursday that O'Leary had signed a new

Friday, December 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) _ Georgia Tech's George O'Leary has joined the ranks of college football coaches earning at least $1 million a year.

Tech announced Thursday that O'Leary had signed a new six-year contract that will provide a base salary of $270,000, compensation from radio and television shows of $366,000, $150,000 from apparel agreements, $250,000 for speaking engagements to alumni groups and the remainder in deferred compensation.

``When you have a man who is right for your program, you want to keep him,'' said director of athletics Dave Braine. ``We're very fortunate that our football program is in very good hands. George O'Leary is the right man for Georgia Tech. He understands the academic system here, he is a great football coach, he is a disciplinarian, and he makes our kids do what they are supposed to do.''

O'Leary, 54, has guided Tech's football program back to national prominence.

``I'm very happy to have a contract that allows me to finish my coaching career at Georgia Tech,'' said O'Leary, who has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year for the second time in three seasons. ``Georgia Tech came to me and initiated this new contract, and I appreciate that very much. I'm proud to be here, and it's gratifying that Georgia Tech wants me to be its football coach for the long term.''

He steered this year's team to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Peach Bowl against LSU. It's the fourth consecutive bowl under O'Leary.

During his six-plus seasons as head coach, O'Leary has an overall record of 45-27. His 45 victories rank fourth among all Tech head coaches, bettered only by the Hall of Fame trio of John Heisman, William Alexander and Bobby Dodd.