Ole Miss and Mike Bianco agree to new contract extension, raise
Mike Bianco led the Ole Miss baseball team to its first national championship in program history two months ago and is now being rewarded.
Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter announced a new contract for Bianco on Wednesday, locking the 22-year skipper in through at least 2026.
The full term of the contract runs from July 17 of this year to June 30, 2026. Mississippi state law dictates contracts for collegiate coaches are limited to a four-year maximum length.
When it felt like Bianco and Ole Miss could be on a path to parting ways late in the season the Rebels turned the sinking ship around and went 10-1 in the NCAA Tournament.
“We are blessed to have Mike Bianco as our head coach, and we intend for him to lead our baseball team for many, many years to come,” Carter said in a statement. “With his remarkable track record, no one was more deserving of that national title run than Mike. We have accomplished so much in every facet of our program, and under Mike’s leadership, we look forward to continuing that level of success and experiencing more championship moments.”
Related: Keith Carter: “We can put all of this other stuff to rest. (Mike Bianco) is here. He’s earned it.”
Bianco is receiving a significant raise in his extension agreement with Ole Miss, starting with a base annual salary of $1.625 million.
Last season his base salary was $1.2 million and was the sixth best among SEC head baseball coaches.
There are plenty of incentives sprinkled into Bianco’s new contract that allows for a potential for him to earn well over $2 million per year if all are met.
The most notable incentives center around postseason accomplishments, including an extra $150,000 for a College World Series appearance or $400,000 if Ole Miss wins another national championship.
“I appreciate Keith, Chancellor (Glenn) Boyce and our Board of Trustees for proactively and aggressively getting this done,” Bianco said in a statement. “I am ecstatic about continuing to lead this incredible program with the support of a community that means so much to Camie and me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is no better fan base in the country. We’ve always known that but after what you guys did in Omaha, the entire country knows it – Rebel fans showed up and made a difference! As always, none of this happens without the incredible players and coaches who have helped us build this program along the way. I can’t wait to see everyone back at Swayze next spring, and I am proud to be an Ole Miss Rebel.”
After earning Ole Miss its first men’s team NCAA National Championship in school history Bianco was named the National Coach of the Year by D1Baseball, the American Baseball Coaches Association and Collegiate Baseball.
Related: ‘It’s Like a Dream’: Mike Bianco still soaking in Ole Miss baseball’s first national championship
