COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State University has announced a $5.8 million retirement package for former president Gordon Gee following his departure from the university after comments jabbing Roman Catholics and Southeastern Conference schools.

The five-year contract with Gee includes a one-time payment of $1.5 million and an annual salary of $410,000.

The deal was announced Monday. It gives Gee a $300,000 annual grant for research on 21st-century education policy and retains him as a full professor in the university's College of Law.

The 69-year-old Gee retired July 1, a few days after The Associated Press first reported remarks he made to the university's Athletic Council in December. Those comments included remarks critical of Notre Dame, the Big Ten and the University of Arkansas football coach.

Gee apologized for the remarks.