Kansas State announces contract extension for AD Gene Taylor. Here are the details
Kansas State has chosen to reward Gene Taylor for the leadership he has provided its athletic department during a highly successful time for the Wildcats.
K-State announced a lucrative contract extension for Taylor that will raise his annual salary to $925,000 and continue his services in Manhattan until the conclusion of the 2029-30 academic year.
His new deal will also include retention incentives of $250,000 in each of the next four years before that number climbs to $500,000 annually over the final three years of his contract.
“K-State is fortunate to have one of the nation’s premier athletic directors in Gene Taylor,” K-State president Richard Linton said in a statement. “Gene leads with a quiet confidence and steadfast belief in our student-athletes and the coaching staffs who support them — and he has been instrumental in growing our facilities and programs into what they are today. I am thrilled that Gene will continue to lead our athletics program.”
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that K-State would work to extend Taylor’s contract at some point.
The Wildcats are coming off one of their best years ever, thanks in large part to the coaches Taylor has hired during his time at K-State. Last season, Chris Klieman led the football team to 10 wins and a Big 12 championship. Then Jerome Tang guided the men’s basketball team to 26 wins and a trip to the Elite Eight.
K-State football is currently tied for second in the Big 12 standings this season and hopes are high for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as they begin their seasons. The K-State women defeated No. 2 Iowa on Thursday.
Taylor has also spearheaded impressive facility upgrades across campus. Under his watch, K-State has completed major renovations to Bill Snyder Family Stadium and constructed a football practice facility, a new volleyball arena and an Olympic training center.
Many have taken notice. Some outlets named Taylor as the top AD in the country for 2022-23.
Earlier this year, Taylor said he hoped he could one day retire after a long and successful run with the Wildcats. He is now set up to do exactly that.
”There is no other place our family would rather be than Manhattan and K-State,” Taylor said. “I appreciate President Linton, the KSA Board and the Kansas Board of Regents for their continued trust in me leading such a phenomenal athletics program.
“We have the best fans and donors in the country and a group of coaches, staff and student-athletes who are committed to competing for championships, and I am looking forward to the years ahead as we continue to elevate our program.”