USF Athletic Director Mark Harlan Signs Contract Extension

The University of South Florida announced today that Mark Harlan has signed a “continuing three-year contract” to remain the athletic director through at least the 2020-21 school year.

Harlan has two major tasks ahead of him in his next three years: Break ground on the Indoor Practice Facility (and the larger USF Football Center) and figure out how to bring an on-campus stadium to USF.

The IPF is the more pressing matter (It is. Don’t @ me.) Harlan said during the spring game that around $9 million has been raised for the IPF. It’s unclear how much of that money is actual cash as opposed to deferred money that the university can borrow against.

“It is an honor to lead USF Athletics and to work alongside our tremendous student-athletes, coaches and staff in pursuing excellence here every day,” Harlan said in a GoUSFBulls.com release. “I am thankful for and humbled by the support of President Genshaft and the Board of Trustees and look forward to continuing to work with campus colleagues, community partners and our great Bulls supporters as, together, we elevate USF Athletics to new heights.”

Recently under Harlan’s leadership, USF signed a 10-year multimedia rights partnership with Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties (TBEP), a Tampa Bay entity controlled by Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, and a new eight-year partnership with Adidas to be the official footwear, apparel and accessory brand of Bulls athletics beginning in July.

The Bulls have earned 12 conference championships since 2014, and nine programs have achieved a Top 25 national ranking during Harlan’s tenure.

In the classroom, USF student-athletes have achieved a cumulative GPA above 3.0 for six consecutive semesters, and have posted a Graduation Success Rate above 80 percent four consecutive years, including a program-record 86 percent in 2016.

Harlan’s new deal comes with a slight raise and will pay him $525,000 annually (500K in the original contract from March 2014). He is eligible for a stipend of $125,000 based on performance in fundraising for programs and facilities, the university’s conference position and attendance at major competitions among other factors.

Harlan initially became the AD in March of 2014 after a four-year stint as the senior associate athletic director at UCLA.