SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Coach Dave Baldwin turned down a contract extension
offer and won't return to San Jose State's football program next season.
The school issued a press release late Sunday night stating that Baldwin,
who had an 18-27 record in four seasons with the Spartans, turned down a
three-year extension to his current contract, which expires on Saturday.
After three losing seasons from 1997-99, Baldwin led the Spartans to a 7-5
record in 2000, the school's first winning year since 1992. His departure ends
a stormy tenure during which he openly clashed with athletic director Chuck
Bell, who took over the department months after Baldwin was hired.
This year, San Jose State upset Stanford and ruined No. 9 Texas Christian's
unbeaten season. The Spartans finished fourth in the Western Athletic
Conference with a 5-3 record.
But the Spartans lost their final two games, including a 37-6 home defeat to
Fresno State in their season finale that cost them a chance to play in the
Silicon Valley Classic on New Year's Eve. San Jose State hasn't been to a bowl
game since 1990.
After San Jose State upset TCU, Baldwin expressed displeasure that he hadn't
been offered a new contract. He said he wanted a new four-year deal that would
include financial compensation nearly double the $134,000 he made this season,
as well as more money for his assistant coaches.
"It's time for them to step up to the plate and take care of this like
adults," Baldwin said. "I just want what's fair."
Baldwin hired an agent shortly afterward, and he hinted to reporters that
Bell already was planning to replace him, which Bell denied. Moments after the
Spartans lost to Fresno State, an emotional Baldwin appeared already resigned
to the possibility of losing his job.
"I don't know what's going to happen, and it doesn't matter," Baldwin
said. "I can be an assistant coach somewhere. That's not my ego. If it works
out, then it works out. If not, I'll be fine."
The school said it offered Baldwin a three-year contract with performance
clauses that could have extended the deal to five years. It included a 20
percent increase in Baldwin's base salary, as well as a substantial bonus
package and an increase in the funds available for assistants.
San Jose State vice president for administration and finance Don Kassing
said the school's offer to Baldwin would have been worth $200,000 to $250,000
if certain performance incentives were reached.
"San Jose State greatly appreciates the fine work that Dave Baldwin has
done with our football program, and wishes him success in all future
endeavors," Kassing said.