Mack Brown gets a raise in new contract

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The University of Texas at Austin changed head football coach Mack Brown's contract Wednesday, making him the highest paid coach in college football.

The contract rewards Brown who obviously led the Longhorns to their best record over the last 12 season: 128-26. Also, the newly announced National Championship berth was quite a bargaining chip.

Brown's contract runs through the 2016 season. He will receive $3 million in 2009, plus a one-time $2 million service payment on Feb. 1, 2010. The new contract however raises his salary to $5 million starting next season.

"Mack is the best college football coach in America and this action recognizes him for that," said Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds. "He brought new life to our program and he's done it with great integrity and class. He is who we want at Texas for as long as he is willing to serve as our head coach. This will also ensure a smooth transition when Mack decides to hand over the reins to Will Muschamp."

Brown has never had less than nine wins as head coach at UT. The Longhorns have won seven of their last eight bowl games.

"Mack Brown has built one of the nation¹s premier football programs, and he¹s brought credit to our university," University of Texas at Austin President William Powers Jr. said. "He has done an outstanding job, and in the time he's been here, he has generated millions of dollars in new revenue. Mack remains in high demand around the country, and it is vital we have a salary strategy to keep him here."

The contract changes also solidifies Muschamp's role as the head-coach-in-waiting.