Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco receives raise, contract extension after championship

OXFORD — Two months after leading Ole Miss baseball to its first College World Series championship, coach Mike Bianco is being rewarded with a new contract.

The Rebels announced a contract extension for Bianco on Wednesday that will keep him in Oxford through 2026. Mississippi law caps the maximum length of contracts for public employees at four years, meaning Bianco's extension is as long as the state allows.

Per terms shared with the Clarion Ledger, Bianco will make $1,625,000 annually, a raise from the $1.2 million he made in his previous contract. Instead of scheduled raises, Bianco has escalating performance incentives that would increase his base salary. For every season that ends in Super Regionals, Bianco's base salary would increase by $35,000. For every season that ends in the College World Series, Bianco's salary would increase by $50,000. For every College World Series won, Bianco's base salary would increase by $100,000.

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Based on information collected by the Clarion Ledger and USA TODAY Sports in the spring, Bianco is now the highest-paid public school baseball coach in the SEC.

There are also a number of incentives in Bianco's new contract. He can earn a $15,000 bonus for winning the SEC West, $25,000 bonuses for winning the SEC regular season and tournament championships and $25,000 for winning SEC coach of the year. He'll earn $25,000 for hosting a regional and either $15,000 for attending a Super Regional or $25,000 for hosting a Super Regional. Appearing in the College World Series can net Bianco bonuses ranging from $150,000 to $400,000.

Interestingly, Bianco's contract also gives him bonuses for reaching certain win milestones. Bianco has 862 wins at Ole Miss. He will get a $125,000 bonus for reaching 900 wins, a $250,000 bonus for reaching 1,000 and 1,100 wins and, if he passes Ron Polk's SEC record of 1,218 wins, he'll earn a $250,000 bonus.

Bianco led the Rebels to a national championship in 2021 after sneaking into the NCAA Tournament as the last at-large bid admitted. The Rebels had to win road postseason series against national seeds Miami and Southern Miss to make it to Omaha, where the Rebels took down Auburn, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

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Bianco has led the Rebels to 18 NCAA Tournament berths, eight Super Regional appearances and two trips to the College World Series. Under Bianco, the Rebels have hosted 10 regionals and three Super Regionals.

The Rebels return five offensive starters and one starting pitcher for 2023, including shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, a projected top-five MLB Draft pick, and freshman All-American left-handed pitcher Hunter Elliott.

Contact Nick Suss at 601-408-2674 or nsuss@gannett.com. Follow @nicksuss on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco receives raise, extension