FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas and Dave Van Horn have agreed on a new contract that will increase the total compensation package of the Razorbacks’ head baseball coach while retaining the rolling five-year term of the previous employment agreement, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long announced on Friday.
The new contract will supersede the previous employment agreement and will maintain the existing five-year term with a series of automatic rollovers through 2020. The new employment agreement also includes increased incentive compensation based on athletic and academic performance.
The new agreement recognizes the success of the program and remains competitive within the SEC and nationally. The increase to Coach Van Horn’s compensation package, will be paid with athletic department-generated revenues and private gift support, and will not include any taxpayer dollars, University support, or student fees.
“Dave Van Horn is not only an outstanding baseball coach but an outstanding leader of young men,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We are pleased that this new agreement will ensure his place at the University of Arkansas for many years to come. Dave has been instrumental in the growth and the tremendous success of Razorback Baseball. He is committed to the long-term success of the baseball program and the continued development of Razorback student-athletes on and off the field. I am proud to have him as a member of our team.”
Van Horn is currently in his ninth year as the head baseball coach at the University of Arkansas. He has compiled a record of 347-190 (.646) with the Razorbacks including leading Arkansas to eight-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of College World Series appearances (2004, 2009). In his first eight seasons, Arkansas has captured two Southeastern Conference Western Division championships (2004, 2007) and one overall SEC championship (2007).
The Razorbacks enter this weekend’s conference series at Georgia with a season record of 28-11. Arkansas is currently tied for the lead in the SEC’s Western Division and is ranked as high as 14th in the national collegiate baseball rankings.
“There is not another university in the country where I’d rather be than the University of Arkansas,” Van Horn said. “For Jeff Long and the administration to have confidence in me and to offer me a new agreement, I think is special. Very rarely does someone have an opportunity to coach at their alma mater and have the chance to be there for the long term. I’m excited about that. I know my family is as well. We love the University of Arkansas and the state of Arkansas.”
