Wisconsin Coaches Receive Bonuses for Final Four Appearance

University of Wisconsin volleyball coaches are celebrating a successful season with hefty bonuses totaling over $115,000. Head coach Kelly Sheffield received the lion’s share of $80,655.65 after leading the Badgers to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons. Associate head coaches Brittany Dildine and Gary White also received bonuses of $19,125 and $16,065, respectively.

The Athletic Board approved these bonuses for fall sports coaches in a closed session, rewarding their hard work and dedication to the team. However, one notable absence from the list of recipients was football coach Luke Fickell, despite the team’s seven-win regular season qualifying them for a 4% bonus.

Fickell, who had a $7.5 million salary for the 2023 season, missed out on the bonus pool of $159,000 that was distributed among ten other coaches and staff members. The bonus distribution is determined by the coach and athletic director, with last season’s bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

While Fickell has a separate bonus structure in his contract for various achievements, the percentage of his bonus going to the pool and being distributed to assistants is always in effect. This ensures that the entire coaching staff is recognized and rewarded for their contributions to the team’s success.

In addition to volleyball and football, women’s soccer coaches also received bonuses for their appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Paula Wilkins received a 5% bonus, highlighting the university’s commitment to recognizing and rewarding the efforts of all its sports teams and coaching staff.

As the season comes to a close, the coaches and staff at the University of Wisconsin can celebrate their hard work and dedication with well-deserved bonuses, setting the stage for another successful season ahead.