By JACK BOGACZYK

HERDZONE.COM COLUMNIST

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall University strengthened its stability and continuity in athletics on Wednesday, as the Thundering Herd signed Athletic Director Mike Hamrick and football Coach Doc Holliday to long-term contract extensions.

Hamrick, who returned to his alma mater as AD in July 2009, hired Holliday in December of that year. Together, the two West Virginia natives -- Hamrick from Clendenin and Holliday from Hurricane -- have lifted Herd fortunes through new and enhanced facilities and record-breaking success on the football field.

The contracts of both men extend until June 30, 2021.

Hamrick's six-year extension is for $300,000 annually, a $30,000 raise. Holliday's six-year deal is for a total package of $755,500 -- up from $600,000 -- with additional dollars available through incentives tied to conference championships, bowls and season ticket sales.

The university had announced on Dec. 30 that there were agreements in principle for six-year extensions and enhanced compensation for Hamrick and Holliday. The formal contracts were revealed today.

"The renewal of the contracts of Mike Hamrick and Coach Holiday is a clear indication of their commitment to Marshall's success and growth in Division I athletics," MU Interim President Gary White said. "We are delighted we were able to successfully negotiate continuations that will keep Marshall moving forward.

"Mike and Doc have stepped up and done their part, and we're looking to our great fans and supporters of Marshall athletics to help us continue our momentum and success."

Holliday's previous contract, signed in July 2014, paid the coach $600,000. Last season, he guided the Herd to its first Conference USA championship, with a 13-1 record and Boca Raton Bowl rout over Mid-American Conference champ Northern Illinois. Marshall finished Nos. 22/23 in the national polls.

That performance came on the heels of a 10-4 record, C-USA East Division title and Military Bowl win over Maryland in 2013.

"Doc has made Marshall football relevant again for the first time in a long time, with the success he has had in the last two seasons," Hamrick said. "The recent past -- 23-5, two big bowl wins -- has been great and the promise of the future is great. He runs an excellent program, with a commitment to doing things right on and off the field.

"We have the premier program in Conference USA and one of the best in the nation, as the final rankings showed. That's a credit to Coach Holliday and his staff, and I'm looking forward to us having big success for a long, long time."

Holliday, who turns 58 on April 21, brings a 40-25 coaching record into 2015, his sixth season guiding the Herd. His teams are 3-0 in bowls and have won 14 of the last 15 games at Edwards Stadium.

The extension puts Holliday among the top three in football coaching salaries in Conference USA.

"I'm as happy as I've ever been coaching football in my career, right here now at Marshall University," Holliday said. "I just appreciate the commitment, starting with (late MU President) Dr. (Stephen) Kopp, who's sadly no longer with us. He gave me the opportunity, along with Mike Hamrick , and they made the commitment to winning championships here.

"With the great facilities we have now and the opportunity to have and keep the staff I have now, it's just a great, great situation to work in. Gary White, our interim president, has been very supportive, and I'm just really proud to be the coach here at Marshall.

"Mike and I have made a long-term commitment to Marshall and our community in the Tri-State area. I'd hope we can continue to build as we have, with an increase in support from our community. I hope we can build our fan base. We play an exciting brand of football, and I hope we'll see more fans in the seats in coming seasons at Edwards Stadium."

Holliday's new contract includes a base salary from the university of $175,000. He also is guaranteed $330,500 annually for appearances on his weekly radio and TV shows and $200,000 (beginning this July) for annual appearances at Big Green Scholarship Foundation fundraising functions.

The contract has a maximum of $100,000 tied to success in C-USA and bowls, plus an incentive tied to MU football season ticket sales.

Holliday's buyout is $725,000 -- up from $600,000 -- unless he moves to the head coaching position at state rival West Virginia, his alma mater. In that case, the buyout increases to $3 million. If Marshall terminates the contract, the MU buyout is $755,500 for each remaining year of the deal.

Hamrick came to Marshall after AD stints at Arkansas-Little Rock, East Carolina and UNLV. He will be entering his seventh year as the Herd athletic chief this summer, and with his leadership Marshall has made more than $42 million in athletic facility construction and enhancement.

The former Herd linebacker has spearheaded the ongoing Vision Campaign, which has raised in excess of $28 million in private funding for the centerpiece of the campaign, the Chris Cline Athletic Complex.

The 101,000-square foot Cline Complex includes an indoor facility that houses a full-length football field and the 300-meter Jeff Small Track; the Buck Harless Student-Academic Program home (scheduled to open this summer); the Marshall University Sports Medicine Institute; and the first Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame.

The Vision Campaign also allowed the Herd to build Hoops Family Field at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex, a 1,006-seat facility that is one of the finest in the nation and is used not only by Marshall but other community organizations.

Hamrick also has enhanced Herd football schedules, scheduling home-and-home series with Purdue, Louisville, NC State, Pitt, East Carolina and Navy. He also has renewed rivalries with former MAC foes Ohio and Miami (Ohio).

Hamrick's years at Marshall also have included a commitment to NCAA compliance and academic success, which is displayed through the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR), graduation rates and C-USA academic awards for student-athletes.

"I'm very humbled and appreciative that my alma mater, Marshall University, would give me the opportunity to continue in a job that I love," said Hamrick, 57. "I appreciate the support I've received over the years from Dr. Kopp, who was a great president for us, and now from Gary White and our Board of Governors.

"Our intent is to continue to move forward and continue to build on our recent success. The university has made a long-term commitment to Coach Holliday and to me with these contracts, and we are committed to Marshall. Our fan base and our community want a successful athletic program, which is what we want.

"We're going to be here, and we need more of you to be here, too."