Thu Jan 3 16:34:09 2008

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Central Michigan's Jones gets new contract

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Mount Pleasant, MI (Sports Network) - Central Michigan University head football coach Butch Jones signed a new five-year contract on Thursday.

The new deal lasts through the 2012 season. Jones had originally signed a four-year pact when he was named head coach of the Chippewas in January, 2007.

"We are excited to announce a new five-year contract for Butch Jones," said CMU director of athletics Dave Heeke. "Butch has a great passion for Central Michigan University and this football program, and in a very short time he has developed the foundation necessary to maintain a championship-caliber football program."

Starting in 2008, Jones' base salary will increase to $265,000 per year. In addition, he will receive $25,000 for radio and television appearances plus a $2,500 annual increase through the length of the contract. Additional incentives are included for a West Division title in the Mid-American Conference, a MAC conference title and/or a bowl game. The deal also includes a pair of retention clauses worth $40,000 if Jones remains at the school through both 2010 and 2012.

"I am very excited about what our program accomplished this year, and I am looking forward to leading our program to even more success in coming seasons," said Jones.

Central Michigan is coming off an 8-6 season which included a MAC championship and a berth in the Motor City Bowl. Jones became the ninth coach in MAC history to win a conference title in his first season as head coach.

Jones previously spent seven seasons on the Chippewa staff as an assistant coach before leaving for West Virginia in 2005.

A Michigan native, Jones served as CMU's tight ends coach in 1998 and wide receivers coach in 1999. He then spent the next three seasons as running backs coach before departing for West Virginia, where he spent the 2005 and 2006 campaigns as an assistant coach.