Perno signs new $2.25 million contract
Georgia baeball coach David Perno, who led the Diamond Dogs to their third College World Series appearance in the last five seasons, agreed to a new five-year, $2.25 million contract, Director of Athletics Damon Evans announced Wednesday.
“I’m excited we have reached an agreement with David to ensure he will continue to build upon the tremendous success our baseball program has enjoyed under his guidance,” Evans said. “David has done an outstanding job, not only with producing winning teams but also creating great enthusiasm surrounding Georgia Baseball. I’m looking forward to the future and the continued excellence of his teams.”
Perno will earn $450,000 per season over the next five years, taking the agreement through the 2013 campaign. The new contract replaces a five-year agreement slated to run through 2011 worth just over $300,000 per year.
“First of all, I’d like to say that I really enjoyed my discussions with Damon after the College World Series, and we’re excited about the future of the Bulldog baseball program,” Perno said. “I’m very pleased with the opportunity to be at Georgia and hope to be here a long time. The support we’ve received from our administration is very much appreciated.”
Perno, an Athens native, is one of just a dozen coaches to lead three teams to the College World Series in their first seven seasons as a head coach. All told, he has been a part of Georgia’s last five College World Series teams. Perno was an infielder on the Bulldogs’ 1990 NCAA Championship squad, and he was an assistant coach for Georgia’s 2001 team that also won the SEC Championship. Since succeeding Ron Polk as head coach in 2002, Perno has led his alma mater to the 2004, 2006 and 2008 College World Series, highlighted by a runner-up effort last month.
