Baseball coach contract expected by December

By Claire Byun

byunc@thejohnsonian.com

Over the summer, Winthrop appointed a new head baseball coach, Tom Riginos, who has been working with the Eagles during their summer and fall practices. 

Like many other Winthrop coaches, Riginos does not have a contract with the university. 

However, the athletic department is hoping to have one written up by the end of December, said Tom Hickman, director of athletics.

Instead of a contract, Riginos signed a letter of appointment that listed his start date, salary and duties, Hickman said.

“The letter of appointment simply appoints him (Riginos) as the head baseball coach for Winthrop,” Hickman said.

The new head coach’s salary is $100,000 per year, which comes out of the athletic department’s fund. The fund  is supplied, in part, by student fees and tuition.

Joe Hudak, former head baseball coach, no longer works at Winthrop. After he was removed from the position in July, a settlement process began, according to Hickman. 

“Currenly we are in negotiations as to with him and his attorneys,” Hickman said.

Hudak was paid $96,000 per year as head coach and is still receiving payment through “privately raised funds,” Hickman said.

After he was notified he was not going to be head coach, payments at that point came from outside of Winthrop; the athletic department fund was not affected, Hickman said.