With contract extension, Nick Mingione could soon make more than $1 million per year
Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione has been rewarded for the Wildcats’ 2023 NCAA Tournament super regional appearance with a hefty raise and contract extension.
Previously, Mingione was the second-lowest paid baseball coach in the Southeastern Conference, according to The Tennessean, at $575,000 per season. Now, he will make $705,000 for the 2023-24 school year. His salary will increase by $100,000 per year through the end of the deal in June 2028.
Mingione’s previous contract was set to expire after the 2026 season.
“My family and I are excited and thankful to continue building a championship baseball program at the University of Kentucky,” Mingione said in a news release announcing the extension. “This is a testament to the players and staff over our seven years here and those who came before us.
“I appreciate Mr. (Mitch) Barnhart and Dr. (Eli) Capilouto for the opportunity they have given me to lead our young men as students, in life and in baseball. The Big Blue Nation has embraced Christen, Reeves and me in truly remarkable fashion and we look forward to the years ahead.”
The 2023 season marked the return to postseason play for Kentucky. The Wildcats hosted an NCAA Tournament regional and advanced to a super regional, where they were swept by eventual national champion LSU.
UK has now reached the super regional round twice in program history. Mingione coached both those teams. The first came in Mingione’s first season as coach in 2017. The Wildcats did not reach the NCAA Tournament in the five years between super regional appearances.
Mingione’s new contract also includes a new series of incentives, reflecting higher expectations for the program moving forward. The bonus for simply reaching the NCAA Tournament was eliminated.
Now, Mingione would earn $50,000 for reaching the super regional as a visiting team, $100,000 for hosting a super regional, $200,000 for reaching the College World Series and $250,000 for winning the College World Series. Those incentives are not cumulative, meaning Mingione would only be paid the largest one he earned in a season.
Per the terms of the contract extension, UK would owe Mingione his full remaining salary if he is fired without cause anytime before 2028. Mingione would also owe UK the prorated balance of his remaining salary if he left for another job before the end of the contract.
A $705,000 salary would have ranked Mingione 10th among SEC coaches last season. Nine SEC coaches were paid more than $1 million last season. Mingione will pass the $1 million salary threshold in the 2027 season.