Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki coach talks with media members on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Like his boss, Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki recently signed a new contract to stay at KU, one that will pay him $1 million per year through the 2027 season.

Kotelnicki, who will continue to serve as KU’s OC, also has taken on a new title — Associate Head Coach.

The new contract replaces Kotelnicki’s previous contract that was for $500,000 per year for three years and signed in 2021.

KU defensive coordinator Brian Borland also signed a new contract with KU this month. It includes a raise from $450,000 to $600,000 annually and is fully guaranteed for the 2023 season.

The Journal-World recently obtained copies of both new contracts, which were signed by KU late last week.

Everything regarding Borland’s contract with KU remained the same as before other than the annual salary and the length of the contract.

With his initial contract set to expire at the end of the 2023 season, Borland’s new contract now includes a school option for the 2024 season. Kansas Athletics has to exercise its option to retain Borland on or before Jan. 25, 2024 in order for the fourth year — labeled Year 2 in the new contract — to kick in.

KU head coach Lance Leipold said Wednesday that locking up Kotelnicki was an important part of maintaining continuity and consistency within the program.

“It was a huge priority,” Leipold said. “I think a lot of Andy and his talents as a professional (with) what he’s added to our program.”

Leipold is not alone in that thinking. Both he and Kotelnicki confirmed this week that the second-year KU OC drew interest from other programs during the past month. But given their history together and the direction of KU’s program, Kotelnicki said it was important to him to remain right where he was.

“Rightfully so, there were people wanting to talk with him,” Leipold said.

After he signed his own new contract, which included a significant increase in the salary pool for staff and assistants, Leipold said his attention shifted to a better compensation package for his coordinators.

“I was going to do that, anyway; it was already in motion,” Leipold said Wednesday, noting that he talked to Kotelnicki about it 24-48 hours before he received his first call from another school. “So, this was not anything reactive. It was the continual building and keeping continuity as best we can in this football program to move forward.”

Late this season, Kotelnicki was announced as one of 51 nominees for the Broyles Award, given annually to college football’s top assistant coach.

Under his leadership, KU’s offense ranked 37th this season in total offense and fifth nationally in yards per play at 7.01. KU’s offense, which averaged 425 yards and 34.2 points per game, scored 56 touchdowns this season, the most since 2008 and 20 more than the high mark for any KU football team during the past decade.

While meeting with reporters earlier this week, Kotelnicki called the chance to stay at a place like Kansas, “super, super rewarding,” and added that it was important for him to set a good example for the young men he mentors.

“In a world where, as coaches we get so frustrated with the younger generations that (think) the grass is greener everywhere else, well, we’re the biggest culprits of that in our profession, honestly. We are. Look around. It’s so true,” he said. “I would just like to reiterate that I respect the hell out of (Leipold), this place, this program. … I’m very fortunate and blessed to be here for as long as I will be now. And it’s exciting.”

Kotelnicki’s new deal is guaranteed for the next five years and it includes both performance and retention bonuses.

If KU wins seven games during the regular season in any of the next five seasons, Kotelnicki is due a $25,000 bonus. If the win total reaches eight, the bonus jumps to $50,000.

Kotelnicki also stands to earn a $100,000 retention bonus to be paid on March 1 from 2024 through 2027 and another $100,000 bonus if he’s still with the program on Dec. 1, 2027.

Like most contracts, the new deal spells out what happens if Kotelnicki were to be fired, both with cause and without. If fired without cause, Kotelnicki would be owed 70% of the remaining amount due.

Should Kotelnicki be the one to terminate the contract, the contract states that he would owe KU “a release payment” worth 50% of the remaining amounts due to him.

It also notes that Kansas Athletics would release Kotelnicki from his obligation to pay a buyout if he accepts employment as a head football coach at an FCS or FBS institution.

If KU loses Kotelnicki to another offensive coordinator job outside of the Big 12 in the first or second year of this contract, Kotelnicki would owe the school $700,000. He would owe the school $500,000 if he left in years three through five.

The contract also states that the release payment will be reduced to $700,000 if Kotelnicki becomes an NFL coach in the first or second years. If he jumps to the NFL after Year 2, the buyout penalty also would disappear.

If Leipold is no longer employed by KU, Kotelnicki would have the right to terminate the contract himself and have any applicable release payments reduced by 50%.

KU has entered its final week of preparations for the program’s first bowl game since the 2008 season.

Kansas will play Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

Andy Kotelnicki’s new contract – Dec. 2022

Brian Borland’s new contract – Dec. 2022