Foley, UALR agree to extension, raise

Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette/JONATHAN BACHMAN - 03/12/2014 -  UALR head coach Joe Foley reacts during second half action in the quarterfinal round of the Sunbelt Tournament against Troy in New Orleans, March 12, 2014. UALR won 66-54.
Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette/JONATHAN BACHMAN - 03/12/2014 - UALR head coach Joe Foley reacts during second half action in the quarterfinal round of the Sunbelt Tournament against Troy in New Orleans, March 12, 2014. UALR won 66-54.

Joe Foley will remain the UALR women's basketball coach, and he's getting a significant raise to do so.

UALR announced Monday a contract extension and raise for Foley, who took the Trojans to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last month. Foley's contract was extended one year to 2023-2024, and he'll get an immediate raise to $215,000.

Foley will then receive scheduled raises that will raise his annual base salary to $250,000 by July 1, 2018. Add in the $15,000 Foley will receive for his radio show, and his total compensation will be $265,000 in 2018-2024.

The reworked deal comes less than a week after Foley interviewed for the head women's basketball job at the University of Kansas. Foley said last week that he was still "in communication" with Kansas, but the Lawrence Journal-World reported Monday that Kansas will likely offer the job to Stephen F. Austin's Brandon Schneider.

"I said last week that we were committed to keeping Joe Foley in Little Rock, and these new terms are a reflection of that commitment," UALR Athletic Director Chasse Conque said in a news release.

"The women's basketball program plays a crucial role in the success of our department as a whole. Over the last 12 years, Joe has taken it to unprecedented heights."

Foley is 244-131 in 12 seasons at UALR, a tenure that includes four NCAA Tournament appearances. Foley is 7090-212 in 28 seasons overall.

"I'm excited about this new contract and the commitment it shows to women's basketball on the part of the university," Foley said in the release.

"I came to Little Rock 12 years ago because I thought we had a chance to build something special. We've been fortunate enough to accomplish great things here."

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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