Phillips: Contract talk to come later

CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney's stock as a coaching asset is rising, having guided the Tigers to their first Atlantic Division title.

To protect itself from outside suitors, Clemson might have an interest in amending Swinney's contract. Swinney's deal does not contain a significant penalty for taking another coaching position.

Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips said he will talk to Swinney after the season about contracts, including defensive coordinator Kevin Steele's agreement, which a source said is expected to be redone.

'We are not in negotiations (Swinney's) got his team on his mind,' Phillips said. 'At the appropriate time everybody will turn their attention to that area.'

Instead of a buyout, Swinney's contract features what are called longevity funds.

If Swinney remains at Clemson through his initial contract (2013), he receives a $750,000 longevity-fund bonus. He also receives the $750,000 payment should the school terminate his contract without cause. However, the only penalty for Swinney leaving for another program is forfeiting longevity funds.

Phillips prefers longevity funds to liquidated damages (i.e. buyouts), and questions buyouts' ability to deter.

'We've already seen this with other coaches,' Phillips said. 'If another university with deep pockets wants to come in and hire someone they are going to take care of [the buyout].

'You want to have a carrot. And the carrot would be very attractive, long-term and good for your family. In my opinion (the longevity fund) is a better way to approach than have a buyout.'

Longevity funds can also be engineered to include tax-exempt benefits. Buyouts are considered income.

Swinney says he is at Clemson for the long-term. Phillips believes the 40-year-old head coach is an excellent fit at the school. And Swinney's compensation level has risen to the median of all ACC coaches ($1.7 million), following the Tigers' Atlantic Division title.

But the fear for all ACC programs is its neighbor, the SEC, flush with new television money. The top football salaries in the SEC reach $4 million. In the ACC Bobby Bowden is the highest paid coach at $2.5 million.

Phillips has dubbed coaching compensation as 'the new arms race'

'You have to be fair,' Phillips said. 'The market in which we operate is the ACC. But we have to keep eye on the national (market). Someone who has an interest (in Swinney) would more than likely come from outside the ACC.'

ACC assistant coaches are at risk, too, of being lured by the SEC's war chest. Steele is in his first season at Clemson, signing three-year contract at $375,000.

'After the season's over I'll sit down with Dabo,' Phillips said. 'We are committed to keeping his staff intact and doing what we need to do.'

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.