The Arizona Board of Regents has given University of Arizona President Robert ‘Bobby’ Robbins a one-year contract extension through June 2024.
Robbins will also receive an annual base salary increase from $698,625 to $725,515, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Including retirement contributions, Robbins’ total compensation will grow to approximately $1 million.
Robbins could make up to an additional $195,000 in bonuses if UA achieves annual and multi-year goals, such as increasing the school’s student retention rate and increasing federal research at its Washington, D.C. office.
Robbins’ day job of running a world-class research institution has not prevented the cardiothoracic surgeon from lending his guidance to UA’s athletic department.
Since joining UA in June 2017, Robbins has openly exerted his influence on coach hires and firings. Most notably, Robbins was an active voice in keeping former men’s basketball coach Sean Miller around until this spring, when administration finally turned against Miller, leading to his firing on April 7.
Robbins was also active in Arizona’s search for a new football coach following the dismissal of Kevin Sumlin. There was wide perception that Robbins was the main decision maker in UA’s decision to bring in Jedd Fisch, who had never previously held a head coaching position before.
Our staff poorly graded the hire at the time, and the Wildcats’ 0-4 start to the 2021 season, including the school’s first loss to NAU since 1932, hasn’t done much to silence critics.
Also of note, Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke’s contract currently runs through March 31, 2023.
Heeke’s contract was most recently extended by one year in November 2019.