Memphis coach Mike Norvell's latest extension includes no raise, no change to buyout

 In each of Memphis coach Mike Norvell's previous two extensions, there was something extra that came with it.

The first raised his assistant salary pool by $250,000. The second made him the highest paid non-Power Five coach in the country and raised his assistant salary pool again by the same amount. 

His third extension had no such benefits. According to Norvell's contract, which was obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request, the only change was extending his deal through the 2023 season, which was reported Tuesday.

Norvell did not receive a raise or an increase to his assistant salary pool. His buyout also remained at $500,000.

The contract just extended Norvell to the maximum five years allowed by the state of Tennessee. It didn't stop him, however, from expressing his gratitude over this latest commitment from the university.

"I tell people all the time I’ve got one of the best jobs in the United States of America. I’m in a place that I love to live, I love to represent this university and be a part of this city. I enjoy coming to work every single day," Norvell said 

Norvell’s salary of $2.6 million made him one of three coaches in the AAC with an annual salary of over $2 million. That number will increase to five in 2019 with UCF's Josh Heupel's salary raised to $2.3 million and new Houston coach Dana Holgorsen making $3.7 million in his first year.

Still, it’s a reward for a third consecutive season of at least eight wins and a second consecutive AAC West division championship.

Norvell’s record of 26-14 has him second all-time at Memphis in winning percentage (.650) and the most wins any Memphis coach has had over a three-year span.

It’s why Norvell has become a sought-after coach over the past two seasons. In 2017, his named was mentioned in conjunction with several coaching jobs including Arkansas. This past season, reports mentioned him as a possible candidate for openings at Louisville, Colorado and Texas Tech.

On Nov. 27, he addressed those reports by calling it a compliment because of what the team has accomplished but said his actions proved that he wanted to continue building on that. Two weeks later, on Dec. 10, he sent the tweet heard around Memphis announcing that he was staying for a fourth season.

He assembled a new staff with seven assistants, including coaches with previous stints at Power Five schools such as offensive coordinator Kevin Johns (Texas Tech) and wide receivers coach John Simon (Arizona State).

Memphis has also invested around the football program. Phase I of the long awaited indoor practice facility project is scheduled to be completed in April and Phase II — the which includes the actual facility — will begin afterwards, according to updates from Memphis president David Rudd.

So while the extension didn't add any extra benefits for Norvell, it was another sign of the university investing long term in being a quality football program.

"I believe that we’re building something here and to see the response of the university and being able to extend my contract to the max length, I don’t think take that for granted," Norvell said. "I know that our brightest days are ahead of us but obviously very grateful for the belief that our administration has shown."

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You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or email him at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com