Even in a troubled economy, rebuilding a major college basketball program is lucrative work.

Having guided the Utah Utes back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years, men's coach Jim Boylen has been rewarded with a new five-year contract through the 2014 season worth at least $850,000 annually, the university announced Tuesday. That's about a 55 percent increase from his original five-year deal -- not counting bonuses that could boost his compensation past $1 million a year -- even as other members of the athletic department have endured cutbacks and braced for possible layoffs.

Just last week, in fact, athletic director Chris Hill said in a published report that "we've pretty much told everybody, 'Hey, there's no budget increases this year, no salary increases.' " He also speculated that layoffs could come next year.

At the same time, the reality of hyper-competitive major college sports is that schools must pay top coaches well, or risk losing them.

Both Arizona and Memphis made inquiries about hiring Boylen after last season, when the Utes finished 24-10, won the Mountain West Conference tournament after sharing the regular-season title, and reached the NCAA Tournament. The Utes also have made significant academic progress under Boylen, after having been in jeopardy of being sanctioned under an initiative designed to improve classroom performance.

"We are excited about the direction our basketball program is going under Jim and are confident that the best is yet to come," Hill said in a statement.

The new contract keeps Boylen among the highest-paid coaches in the Mountain West. New Mexico's Steve Alford has a deal -- automatically extended by one year as a bonus for tying with the Utes and Brigham Young for the regular-season league title -- worth more than $1 million annually.

According to the university, Boylen's base salary will be $200,000 per year, up from $180,000 in his original contract. The other $650,000 comes as compensation for radio and television appearances, speaking engagements and public appearances, summer camps and apparel and shoe contracts with adidas.

Boylen earned $550,000 annually in his previous contract, according to its terms, not including bonuses and other benefits. His original deal also included thousands of dollars worth of travel and moving expenses, an education fund for his children, football and basketball season tickets, a country-club membership and the use of a cell phone and a car. The university did not specify how many of those perks remain in the new contract, but in the realm of coaching contracts, they are fairly standard benefits that probably are still mostly included.

"The university is committed to me, and I'm committed to them," Boylen said. "I think that's what [the contract] says."

mcl@sltrib.com