Georgia's Perno receives big raise

ATHENS -- Georgia baseball coach David Perno was rewarded Wednesday for the team’s dramatic run to the final series of the College World Series.

Perno, the Athens native and former Bulldog player who just completed his seventh season as coach, was given an almost 50 percent raise and will earn $450,000 annually for the next five years under the new deal. His former contract, which was to run through the 2011 season, was worth just more than $300,000 annually.

“I’m excited we have reached an agreement with David to ensure he will continue to build upon the tremendous success our baseball program has enjoyed under his guidance,” athletics director Damon Evans in a statement released by the school announcing the new deal. “David has done an outstanding job, not only with producing winning teams, but also creating great enthusiasm surrounding Georgia baseball.”

In June, Perno became one of just 12 college baseball coaches to lead a team to the CWS three time in their first seven seasons as head coach. The Bulldogs won their sixth SEC title, taking the regular season crown, and then advanced to the championship series of the CWS, falling one game short of winning the national championship.

“We’re excited about the future of the Bulldog baseball program,” Perno said in the school’s statement. “I’m very pleased with the opportunity at Georgia and hope to be here a long time. The support we’ve received from the administration is very much appreciated.”