Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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 (AP) -  House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, said the size
of the payoffs doesn't make sense when the university wants the
Legislature to increase its funding.

      "That's a lot of money to get rid of a package of M&Ms,"
Seifert said, referring to the coaches' last names. "And the
taxpayers in my district and all over the state are really upset
about it."

      Mason, the football coach, was fired on Dec. 31, about a month
after Monson resigned as the men's basketball coach. Mason's
severance agreement will cost an estimated $2.2 million, compared
to $1.3 million for Monson.

      University spokesman Dan Wolter said no tax money will be used
for the buyouts. The state provides about a quarter of the
university's revenues.

      The university's athletic department will cover the costs out of
its $50 million annual budget, the bulk of which comes from ticket
sales, Wolter said. If the university takes out a short-term loan
for the buyouts and new hires, the department would pay off the
loan.

      Wolter described the buyouts as typical for Division I college
sports and in the "low to middle" range for Big Ten conference
schools.

      Seifert said he will ask DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina, who heads a
higher education budget panel, to investigate the university's
contracts with high-paid coaches. He will also ask the university's
Board of Regents to examine "golden parachute" packages for
coaches more closely and sign off on big hiring or firing moves.

      Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, said she will introduce a bill to
ban the university from using any state money - directly or
indirectly - to cover buyouts for coaches.

      University officials plan to meet with Seifert this week to
discuss the buyouts.

Gallery

Gopher sports teams aim high at precarious time

Regents approve higher costs for new Gopher football stadium

Search for new Gophers football coach begins

Glen Mason fired as Gopher football coach

Maturi signs three-year contract extension as Gophers' AD

Monson resigns as Gopher men's basketball coach

House Republicans are upset that the University
of Minnesota will spend $4 million to $5 million to buy out ousted coaches Glen Mason and Dan Monson.

House GOP leader rips buyouts for U of M coaches

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