The night before Georgia announced its sudden parting with women’s basketball coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson in April, the two parties signed a separation agreement that included a severance payment to her for the final two years of her contract.
Georgia is paying Abrahamson-Henderson a total of $721,771 in monthly installments through April 30, 2027, according to the agreement obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday in an open records request.
Georgia announced on April 4 it had mutually parted ways with Abrahamson-Henderson after a 22-10 season that ended with an NCAA Tournament appearance but was followed with top players entering the transfer portal.
The separation agreement states that Abrahamson-Henderson is “resigning.” She had two years left on a contract that paid her $1.03 million per year.
“While I am excited about pursuing new opportunities, I am grateful for the opportunities that I have received at the University of Georgia,” she wrote in a resignation letter to athletic director Josh Brooks. “I wish you the best of luck in the future.”
Georgia hired McNeese State coach Ayla Guzzardo to replace Abrahmason-Henderson who went 69-59 in four seasons.
Guzzardo agreed to a five-year deal that pays her $600,000 a year. Georgia also paid Guzzardo’s $75,000 buyout to McNeese State where she went 29-6 in one season and won the Southland regular season title after eight years at Southeastern Louisiana.
According to a memorandum of understanding obtained by the Banner-Herald on Wednesday, Guzzardo can make up to $450,000 a year in performance bonuses.
She would get the greatest of the following:
- $37,500 bonus for reaching the NCAA Tournament
- $75,000 for Sweet 16
- $125,000 for Final Four
- $250,000 for a national championship
Guzzardo would also receive $50,000 for an SEC regular season championship and $25,000 for an SEC Tournament championship. She would be set for another $25,000 for SEC Coach of the Year and $50,000 for AP national women’s basketball coach of the year.
The buyout terms if Georgia were to fire Guzzardo without cause:
- Prior to the end of the 2027-28 season: All remaining compensation through the end of the contract on April 30, 2031.
- After the 2027-208 season: 65 percent of remaining compensation.
Guzzardo would owe to Georgia if she resigned:
- Prior to the end of the 2026-2027 season: $1.5 million
- After 2026-2027 season and before end of 2027-2028 season: $1 million
- After 2027-2028 season and before end of 2028-2029 season: $750,000
- After 2028-2029 season and before end of 2029-2030 season: $500,000
- After 2029-2030 season: $250,000.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Payout revealed for ex-Georgia women's basketball coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson