Jim Tanner's "performance bonuses" in his contract are simply laughable

With the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, universities have been hiring general managers to help navigate these times.

Of course, the major sports (football and basketball) have been the ones leading the pack in terms of implementing this type of front office structure, as the UNC basketball program tabbed Jim Tanner to served as their first-ever general manager.

There's no prior blueprint to follow in terms of compensation for this type of role, but details of Tanner's deal with the UNC basketball program have surfaced. His "performance bonuses" will certainly make you laugh, given that it should be easy money for him every single year.

For starters, Tanner will be paid $950,000 for the year (starting on July 1). The performance bonuses, mentioned in the social media post above from Brian Murphy of WRAL, indicate that his salary goes up $100K if:

-North Carolina makes the NCAA Tournament.

OR

-North Carolina signs at least one four or five-star recruit.

There are other non-reported performances bonuses involved as well, but these two that were mentioned make you question if the standard for Carolina basketball has gone downhill.

For a Blue Blood program like North Carolina, making the NCAA Tournament should be a given every year. Sure, the Hubert Davis era has had the Tar Heels on the bubble in all but one season thus far, but there should be no doubt that the UNC basketball program should be a perennial tournament team.

Just making the NCAA Tournament shouldn't be the standard for UNC basketball. Making a deep run into March (and early April) should be.

Sure, there are probably other bonuses for making the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four and the NCAA title game, but is a simple NCAA Tournament appearance worthy of a $100K bonus?

In addition to that, we are really giving out bonuses for signing a four-star talent?

Sure, if you land a top-10 ranked prospect in the class, then by all means, give the man a bonus. Again, this is setting the standard extremely low, as the UNC basketball program should have no issues competing for top talent (even with the changing landscape of college athletics).

These "performance bonuses" feel like mediocrity, something that should never, ever, ever be an option at the University of North Carolina. Instead of participation trophies for small accomplishments, let's get back to Carolina Basketball, giving front office executives like Tanner "performance bonuses" when the Tar Heels hang another national championship banner.

You can read more about the terms of Tanner's five-year contract, which he signed this week with the UNC basketball program.

Needless to say: there's going to be a lot of pressure surrounding the Tanner-led front office to get North Carolina back to national prominence.