MU inserts 'loyal employee' clauses in Anderson's contract

~ The new coach will make a minimum of $850,000 if he's a good soldier.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- New Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson will earn a minimum of $850,000 annually over the next five years -- as long as he "agrees to be a loyal employee" and doesn't bad-mouth the school.

Those clauses are just some of the conduct requirements spelled out in the 22-page employment contract, which was signed Monday and released to The Associated Press on Tuesday through the state's public records laws.

Anderson, who comes to Missouri after four years as Alabama-Birmingham coach, will also be expected to:

* "Maintain a mature and rational attitude, keep emotions in control and downplay defeats."

* "Establish and maintain a frequent and systematic program of personal communication with the university's administration, faculty, staff and student body."

* Make a minimum of 30 public appearances at booster lunches, alumni dinners and similar community events.

No such requirements are found in the contracts of either Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel or Anderson's predecessor, Quin Snyder, who resigned in mid-February with six regular season games remaining.

Anderson's base salary is less than the $1.015 million a year Snyder earned before he left during his seventh season at Missouri. But the new coach's contract is loaded with more incentives than Snyder had, including an extra $10,000 for reaching at least 20 wins against Division I opponents and $25,000 for drawing at least 10,000 paying fans on average to Mizzou Arena.

It also represents a sizable increase from his base annual salary of $600,000 at UAB.

University officials were not immediately available Tuesday to discuss the contract.

Anderson, 46, had an 89-41 record at UAB with three NCAA tournament appearances.

The team was 24-7 this season and lost to Kentucky 69-64 in the first round of the tournament.

Anderson was introduced as Missouri's new head coach on Sunday -- just hours after Missouri curators met behind closed doors to consider firing Alden over his role in the Snyder resignation.

Snyder has said Alden sent Tiger broadcaster Gary Link, also an Alden assistant, to deliver an ultimatum: Quit now or be fired at season's end. Alden denied that account, and two university investigations stopped short of assigning blame.

The incentives in Anderson's contract include an extra $25,000 should the Tigers win either the Big 12 Conference regular season title or its year-end tournament; $25,000 if Anderson's players meet established academic goals; $100,000 if average paid attendance at Mizzou Arena exceeds 13,000; and $250,000 if Anderson's team wins the national championship.

Missouri will also pay $300,000 to buy out his contract at UAB. And should Anderson be fired without cause, he would receive liquidated damages worth $500,000 for each year remaining in his contract.