Million dollar goodbye for ex-AD Woolard
Former USF Athletic Director Doug Woolard received more than $1 million from the school after stepping down in early July, according to the Tampa Bay Times after a public records request was received Monday.
Woolard, who was replaced by Mark Harlan in March 2014, received $400,000 in deferred compensation in addition to his $610,927.38, which was the remaining value of his three-year contract extension signed in 2012.
The money was paid from USF Athletics revenue sources according to documents the Tampa Bay Times received from a public records request filed in July. The document was signed by Woolard and USF chief operating officer John Long on May 14, 2014.
The two parties agreed to mutually part ways after the transition to Harlan progressed more quickly than anticipated, according to a letter between Woolard and the university.
“The transition has gone smoothly and more rapidly than anticipated, so in compliance with your request, we have agreed that it is in our mutual best interests to accelerate your retirement from USF after 10 years of service and significant growth and standing in USF Athletics,” the document stated.
Woolard has orchestrated many contracts for USF including the university’s deal with Under Armour as well as a 10-year/$22 million multimedia contract with IMG College.
Woolard announced his retirement from the university in January of last year and was expected to remain on staff in a lesser role until his contract expired in June 2015.
However, the requested documents showed that the former AD was placed on “100 percent off-campus professional development leave.” Woolard left himself available in a consultant role.
In addition to this buyout, USF is currently paying Harlan $500,000 per year.
Woolard now resides as an adviser at his alma mater, Southern Illinois-Carbondale.
More Stories
Here’s how these undrafted USF football players’ careers turned out
Ahead of Thursday’s NFL Draft, many players wait in anticipation to hear their names called in the first round. For some, it’s an instant ticket to stardom. But being selected on the first day of the draft isn’t the only route to a successful career. Fifteen former undrafted NFL players are enshrined in the NFL […]
Column: USF men’s basketball, thanks for the fun season
This is a personal column about assistant sports editor Noah Vinsky’s first-hand experience covering men’s basketball. Sports have always run in my blood. Growing up, ESPN was nearly on a constant loop on my living room television. I came to USF knowing I wanted to be a writer. The Oracle seemed like a great place […]
USF’s Mindy McCord builds culture of “family and love” into lacrosse
At 23 years old, a career in coaching was not what Mindy McCord had envisioned. After a stint playing for one of the top field hockey teams in Australia following a successful college playing career, she returned to America. McCord was on track to earn a master’s degree in counseling at Virginia Tech while coaching […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]