Nevada’s buyout for Brian Polian release could approach $1 million
RENO — The University of Nevada, Reno could pay close to $1 million to release football coach Brian Polian from his contract one year early.
Nevada and Polian agreed to part ways Sunday after he compiled a 23-27 record during his four years at the helm of the team, The Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
Polian, the son of former NFL executive and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill Polian, was paid a base salary of $525,000 and had one year left on his original five-year contract.
The university will owe Polian nearly $569,000 if he doesn’t get another job before his contract expires in January 2018. That total could be in addition to the $389,000 that Polian’s assistant coaches are owed through the end of their contracts, which end in February and March.
The assistants did not have their contracts terminated and will help the team’s players through the end of the academic semester. Polian’s replacement will have the final say on whether any of the current assistant coaches are retained.
The projected buyout total of $958,000 still remains uncertain. If Polian gets another job, his new salary would be subtracted from the buyout Nevada owes him.
QB Zaire leaving Irish,
eligible to play in ‘17
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Malik Zaire, the quarterback who won the starting job at Notre Dame last year before a broken ankle ended his season, plans to graduate in December and use his final year of eligibility elsewhere next season.
University spokesman Michael Bertsch said Wednesday that Zaire has been given his release. Zaire told the South Bend Tribune among the schools he is considering are Florida, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and Michigan State, an Irish opponent next season.
Notre Dame won all three games Zaire started but was beaten out for the starter’s job this season by DeShone Kizer.
Zaire completed 58 of 98 passes for 816 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in three seasons with the Irish.
Kizer has said he hasn’t decided whether he will return next season. He has requested feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board.