Stories / Athletics
Player still in a coma, but his head coach walks away with a $1.33 million buyout
Greg Powers was ASU's head hockey coach on Aug. 20, when sophomore Matthew Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout. Players said water breaks lasted just seconds, and Mayich reportedly got no water. He has been unconscious and on life support ever since. Now ASU is paying Powers $1,329,807.69, which is 75% of the $1.77 million left on a contract that ran through 2030, plus $85,000 in bonuses he had earned but not been paid.
He gets $531,923.08 now and $398,942.31 each in August 2027 and August 2028. The separation letter, dated Oct. 14, calls it a mutual parting; Powers had been on paid leave since Sept. 30, and his last day was Oct. 16. In return, Powers must cooperate with ASU and its lawyers in any legal proceedings tied to his time as coach, including any lawsuit over Mayich's hospitalization. Attorney Pete Mayer told AZFamily that the contract's "conduct affecting the university" clause could have supported firing him for cause, in which case he would have received less. "What would make you feel more comfortable sending your kid to Arizona State University?" Mayer asked.
ASU's side / contextASU announced that it had agreed to buy out Powers' contract and part ways, without giving a figure at first; a spokesperson later confirmed the amount left on his contract. ASU hired Dave Hakstol as head coach on Oct. 15. Powers has not commented publicly.
