Kentucky women’s basketball paying heavy financial price to part ways with Kyra Elzy
Kyra Elzy was relieved of her duties Monday after four years as head coach of the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program, the school announced.
The decision to fire Elzy, who went 61-60 in four seasons but most recently produced back-to-back near-the-bottom finishes in the Southeastern Conference, is an expensive choice in the short term for athletics director Mitch Barnhart.
After this season, UK still owes Elzy $2.475 million on a contract extension she signed in 2022 that lasts until June 30, 2027. Because she was fired without cause — meaning NCAA violations or some other act beyond win-loss records — Kentucky Athletics owes Elzy that entire amount over the next three years.
On top of that, of course, Kentucky will have to cover the cost of a new head coach in a world where coaching salaries never stop increasing.
Elzy became UK’s head coach on an interim basis in November 2020, before having that interim title removed in December 2020.
She was the associate head coach at the time of her promotion, which came following the abrupt resignation and retirement of Matthew Mitchell, the former UK head coach.
Elzy was an in-state high school star at Oldham County, and was a four-year player at Tennessee under legendary head coach Pat Summitt.
Elzy signed the contract extension in the wake of Kentucky winning the 2022 SEC Tournament, a first for the program since 1982.
With her base salary, multi-media deal and endorsement money, Elzy was to receive $775,000 for the 2023-24 season, $800,000 for the 2024-25 season, $825,000 for the 2025-26 season and $850,000 for the 2026-27 season.
Numerous performance bonuses stood to earn Elzy even more money if her team won SEC championships or advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament or beyond.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 11:57 AM.
