Tyson Helton’s contract approved by Board of Regents

Joseph Barkoff
WKU’s new head coach Tyson Helton (left) shares a smile with WKU athletic director Todd Stewart (right) during Helton’s first press conference as the new head coach of the Hilltoppers at the Harbaugh Club in Houchens-Smith Stadium Nov. 27 in Bowling Green. “It’s not about making championships,” Helton said. “Its about making champions.” Helton comes to WKU after working for Tennessee and Southern California.

Matt Stahl
March 1, 2019

New WKU football head coach Tyson Helton’s contract was approved at the university’s board of regents meeting on Friday.

Helton’s contract includes a base salary of $800,000 and also has potential performance incentives totaling another $400,000.

“The board of directors and the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation are in complete and full support of the hire of Mr. Helton,” Craig Browning of the HAF said at the meeting.

Helton’s buyout is structured to descend in value over time. The buyout is $1.2 million if the contract is terminated before March 1, 2020. After March 1, 2020, the buyout decreases to $900,000. That amount drops to $600,000 if the contract is terminated after Feb. 28, 2021.  

The contract also includes perks such as tickets to basketball and football games and up to two university vehicles for Helton’s use. You can find the full contract below. 

Sports Editor Matt Stahl can be reached at 270-745-6291 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @mattstahl97.