Bob Huggins and West Virginia on Friday agreed to a unique and groundbreaking contract that is designed to keep Huggins as the Mountaineers basketball coach for the rest of his career.

The two sides, in a hastily organized news conference, announced an 11-year contract that will pay Huggins at least $1.5 million per year and does not expire until the 54-year-old coach's 65th birthday.

The announcement came two days after the sides signed the original contract to which Huggins agreed when he became West Virginia's coach a year ago. That pact, though, was not publicized and virtually in the hours following its completion they began talks to nearly double his salary and extend its length to his retirement.

The exact terms of the contract are yet to be ironed out, but WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong said that should be taken care of in a matter of days. Huggins said the idea of a lifetime contract was not his, but he quickly agreed.

"It was the university's idea,'' Huggins said. "I think a lot of times people will let contracts run out. I think good employees are happy employees.''

The contract does include a buyout, and a hefty one. Just as was the case with former football coach Rich Rodriguez, Huggins or the university would owe the other $4 million if either terminates the contract.

The buyout, according to Pastilong, does not decrease over the course of the deal.

The two sides, in a hastily organized news conference, announced an 11-year contract that will pay Huggins at least $1.5 million per year and does not expire until the 54-year-old coach's 65th birthday.

The announcement came two days after the sides signed the original contract to which Huggins agreed when he became West Virginia's coach a year ago. That pact, though, was not publicized and virtually in the hours following its completion they began talks to nearly double his salary and extend its length to his retirement.

The exact terms of the contract are yet to be ironed out, but WVU athletic director Ed Pastilong said that should be taken care of in a matter of days. Huggins said the idea of a lifetime contract was not his, but he quickly agreed.

"It was the university's idea,'' Huggins said. "I think a lot of times people will let contracts run out. I think good employees are happy employees.''

The contract does include a buyout, and a hefty one. Just as was the case with former football coach Rich Rodriguez, Huggins or the university would owe the other $4 million if either terminates the contract.

The buyout, according to Pastilong, does not decrease over the course of the deal.