New URI Women’s Basketball Coach to Earn $400,000 - University to Pay Buyout

New URI Women’s Basketball Coach to Earn $400,000 - University to Pay Buyout

The new women’s basketball coach at the University of Rhode Island will be paid $400,000 a year, and the University will be required to pay the University of Albany a buyout fee.

These details and others are included in the contract between Colleen Mullen and the University. GoLocal secured a copy through an Access to Public Records Act request.

Mullen’s URI contract is a major boost over her previous agreement at the University of Albany. She made $273,572 as the head coach at the University of Albany, according to Open Payrolls.

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Mullen’s predecessor, Tammi Reiss, received $459,910.88, according to State records. She left Rhode Island to coach the University of Florida after taking the Rams to their first NCAA tournament in 30 years.

She led the Albany to four consecutive national postseason appearances and four straight 20-win seasons from 2021-25. Over her last five seasons with UAlbany, Mullen had an overall record of 110-50.

 

Mullen’s URI contract provides:

$400,000 annual base salary (plus other benefits, compensation and incentives – see below), with $10,000 guaranteed incremental increases beginning May 1, 2027, and each May 1st thereafter (i.e.,)

Contract Year 1: $400,000

Contract Year 2: $410,000

Contract Year 3: $420,000

Contract Year 4: $430,000

Contract Year 5: $440,000.

 

Buyout Number Not Released

While URI must pay Albany a buyout payment, the contract does not disclose the exact number.

“Buyout: University will pay a buyout to Coach’s former employer, subject to verification of termination/buyout terms in her current contract

The University agrees to work collaboratively with the Coach and the departing institution to establish mutually acceptable payment terms and timing associated with any verified contractual buyout obligation. The structure of such payments, including method and schedule, shall be determined in consultation with the University and will be subject to University policies and approvals.”

 

Mullen will also receive and be eligible for a lengthy number of bonuses, specifically:

• Reimbursement to Coach for family country club membership, in accordance with University policy

• Moving expenses/temporary housing: Stipend of $20,000 to be paid within 30 days of the execution date

• Car stipend: $5,000 annually

• Coach shall be provided a reasonable number of game tickets to home, away, and post-season contests

• Coach’s spouse and dependents shall be permitted to travel to a reasonable number of away contests and all

post-season contests at no cost, subject to University policy and applicable law

• Academic Incentives: 3.0 GPA/990 APR ($2,500/$2,500)

• Competitive Incentives (Cumulative):

o 20 Win Season: $2,500

o Coach of the Year: National/Conference ($10,000/$5,000)

o Conference Championship: regular season (including ties)/conference tournament ($10,000/$15,000)

o WBIT Tournament Win: $2,500 per win

o NCAA Tournament Appearance: $5,000

o NCAA Tournament Win: $5,000 per win (Wins in First Four, Round of 64, and Round of 32)

o NCAA Elite Eight Appearance: $10,000

o NCAA Final Four Appearance: $25,000

o National Championship appearance: $35,000

o Win National Championship: $50,000

 

 

If Mullen is fired (without cause), she will receive “80% of the total remaining base salary due through the otherwise unexpired Term (including any scheduled increases).”

If she leaves for another job, her buyout, according to the contract, is as follows:

 

Buyout (Coach Terminates Without Cause)

• Half of such amount shall be payable to the University within thirty (30) days from the date of termination, with the remaining half amount due one (1) year from the date of termination.

• Termination prior to April 30, 2027 – $320,000; or

• Termination prior to April 30, 2028 – $287,000; or

• Termination prior to April 30, 2029 – $252,000; or

• Termination prior to April 30, 2030 – $215,000; or

• Termination prior to April 30, 2031 – $176,000