Kentucky, Nick Mingione agree to new contract through 2029 season

Following its first-ever trip to the College World Series, Kentucky has agreed to a new five-year contract with baseball coach Nick Mingione. According to a contract posted on the UK Office of Legal Counsel page, Mingione’s new deal includes a significant raise and will run through the 2029 season.

Mingione, who signed a new contract in October 2023 following a trip to the super regionals, will have an average salary of $1,435,000 over the next five seasons. He was set to make $805,000 in 2025 before the new extension.

Here’s what Mingione will make each year under his new contract before incentives: 

• 2025 salary: $1,175,000
• 2026 salary: $1,275,000
• 2027 salary: $1,375,000
• 2028 salary: $1,575,000
• 2029 salary: $1,775,000

Mingione will receive an automatic one-year extension each time the Wildcats make the NCAA Tournament. If the Wildcats return to the College World Series, Mingione would receive a two-year extension. For each year that gets added to the contract, his salary will go up by $200,000 more than the previous contract year. For example, if Kentucky made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2025, his 2030 salary would be $1,975,000.

If Kentucky were to terminate the contract without cause, Mingione would be owed the full amount of his remaining contract. If Mingione decided to terminate the contract without cause — essentially, if he accepted another coaching position — he would owe Kentucky the prorated salary of the remaining contract. Interestingly enough, Mingione’s contract states that the amount he would owe to the university would be reduced by 50% if Mitch Barnhart was no longer the athletic director.

Roszel, Cousino receive new contracts

In addition to Mingione, pitching coach Dan Roszel and recruiting coordinator Austin Cousino received contract extensions through the 2027 season. These are three-year contracts — a rarity for assistant coaches throughout Kentucky’s baseball history — and both received a raise. Roszel will make $280,000 each season and Cousino will make $230,000. Both coaches are eligible for incentives based on postseason success. Information for new assistant coach Chase Slone’s contract has not yet been posted.

Bat Cats Central Analysis

Barnhart has rewarded Mingione for a second straight season. After making $575,000 annually from 2018 through 2023, Mingione’s salary has doubled in the past two seasons. However, it’s a salary that’s been earned. Mingione has taken the Wildcats to three Super Regionals in eight full seasons and reached the ultimate goal of making it to the College World Series last year. Barnhart was patient with the program through some lean years, but it’s paid off, with two of the best seasons in Kentucky’s history taking place in 2023 and 2024.

This move puts Mingione on par with other coaches in the Southeastern Conference who have taken their program to Omaha. According to The Tennessean, Mingione’s 2025 salary would have been the 10th highest in the SEC. Every coach in the SEC who has been to the College World Series makes at least $1 million annually. Mingione, who turns 46 on Sept. 10, is still a young coach but should be locked in for the foreseeable future as the head coach at Kentucky.

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