Canzano: Oregon/Cristobal Discussing Contract Extension

Our own John Canzano is reporting in the Oregonian that the University of Oregon and Mario Cristobal are discussing a contract extension:

An athletic department source at the University of Oregon confirmed today “discussions are ongoing” on a long-term contract extension for football coach Mario Cristobal.

Cristobal won nine games in his first season, and last year won 10 games while leading the Ducks to a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. With Mel Tucker leaving Colorado for the resources and salary available at Michigan State, it makes sense that the University would look to lock Cristobal up:

Cristobal’s agent might as well put on a bib, because a feast appears to be coming. I suspect Mullens and Oregon took notice of the Tucker dealings and is busy trying to ensure UO has adequate protection. The last extension left Cristobal as the No. 56 highest-paid coach in the country.

Also, it raised the buyouts should Cristobal bolt before January 2021 to $8 million. That, however, drops to $5 million in January 2022 and $3 million in January 2023, and given the recruiting trend you can see where Mullens might be concerned.

We’ll have more on this story as it develops.