By
Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
$600,000 disbursed over 3 years, as stated by termination
Former UA head football coach Dick Tomey will receive the first installment of a $600,000 settlement with the UA today, according to a termination agreement signed by the coach and the university.
Tomey, who resigned Nov. 24, will receive $600,000 in severance pay over the next three years.
The agreement - which was signed Jan. 6 by UA President Peter Likins, Tomey and his wife, novelist Nanci Kincaid Tomey - revealed that the head coach resigned with the knowledge that he would have been fired had he not quit.
"It was in common understanding of the coach, the president of the university and the director of athletics of the university that the coach's nominal resignation was in lieu of termination from the university," the statement said. "The (Arizona) Board (of Regents) and the university accept the coach's resignation in lieu of termination, effective January 5, 2001."
Tomey, UA's winningest football coach with 95 victories, finished 5-6 in 2000. After starting the season 5-1, Arizona team lost its final five games and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second straight season.
When contacted Friday, UA athletic director Jim Livengood declined to comment on Tomey's severance package and his relationship with the coach.
According to the agreement, Tomey is to receive three payments of $200,000. The first installment will be received by the coach today, and added payments of $200,000 plus annual interest (5.5 percent) are to be paid to Tomey on Feb. 5 for the next two years. The interest could amount to more than $33,000.
In exchange for the severance pay, Tomey has agreed not to hold the university liable for his termination. Both sides have agreed not to sue the other regarding Tomey's resignation.
Last month, Tomey and his wife moved to Hawaii, where he coached prior to coming to Arizona in 1987.
The 62-year-old former head coach is reportedly mulling over offers to join Fox Sports Net as an analyst next season. Tomey worked briefly for the sports network during the 2000-01 bowl season.
Tomey informed UA players of his resignation following UA's 30-17 loss to Arizona State, citing increasing public pressure to quit.
"The public debate became so difficult for my family, for our team (and) for our coaches and their families," Tomey said in the locker room after the game. "I'd give anything if it were different, but it's not."
UA hired former Texas and Illinois head coach John Mackovic to replace Tomey on Dec. 4.
