University of Kansas Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger has done much to earn a new contract and pay raise, but there are issues within the athletics department that should be addressed before his next renewal.

The Journal-World recently requested and obtained Zenger’s new contract, which was signed by outgoing KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little in early May. The contract is effective July 1 and extends Zenger’s employment through June 2021 at a salary of $700,000 per year. His current salary is $619,000.

Kansas Athletics Inc. will pay $497,000 of Zenger’s annual salary with the state paying $203,000.

Under the contract, Zenger also is eligible for up to $50,000 in annual performance bonuses — specifically, $40,000 if the football team has a winning season, $5,000 if the women’s basketball team has a winning season and $5,000 if the men’s basketball team reaches the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament. The performance bonuses also are paid by Kansas Athletics Inc.

Zenger is mostly to be commended for the performance of the athletic programs. After years of futility, the football program appears to be on the right track under coach David Beaty, a Zenger hire. The volleyball and track and field teams have turned in stellar performances. And of course, the men’s basketball program has continued to excel.

But while the athletic product has been something for any Jayhawk to be proud of, there have been too many troubling incidents off the field. Two members of the women’s rowing team accused the same football player of sexually assaulting them in separate incidents in 2015, leading to Title IX claims against the university. The men’s basketball team faced a series of off-court issues this past season. Forward Carlton Bragg was suspended twice, after separate arrests on assault and drug paraphernalia charges. Freshman basketball player Josh Jackson pleaded guilty to damaging the car of a women’s basketball player in a bar parking lot.

Most concerning is the December sexual assault investigation at McCarthy Hall, the luxury dorm used by the men’s basketball team. No charges have been filed, but police said they have forwarded the case to the district attorney for a decision.

Such incidents tarnish the reputation and image of the university, and while individual coaches must assume responsibility for their programs, Zenger also has to be held accountable for the athletics department.

Zenger should be proud of where KU Athletics is headed on the field and he should clamp down on the incidents that are occurring off of it.