By MALCOLM BUTLER, Lincoln Parish Journal, and DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie and athletics director Ryan Ivey have agreed to a contract extension with a money-back guarantee.
Cumbie is taking a pay cut as his contract, entering its final year, is extended for two more seasons, with a six-win season next fall triggering a third year.
That pay cut with an extension is unique in the industry – but there’s more in a deal Ivey calls a “reset” that is also a redirect, sending money back into the football program.
The roughly $150,000 off Cumbie’s salary, which drops to a $760,000 base annually, will instead fund “programmatic causes, including player-enhanced benefits.”
Ivey announced Thursday that Tech has come to terms on a new contract with Cumbie, who was embattled entering last season, before he led the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record capped by a Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl victory.
First reported by the Lincoln Parish Journal, Ivey called it a “reset” as the previous contract had one year remaining and would have expired following the 2026 season.
The new agreement — pending approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System — pegs the coach’s pay at $760,000 per year plus a performance-based incentive structure that includes on-the-field and off-the-field measurables.
“We have seen the progress of our football program over the last few years,” said Ivey. “We are coming off an eight-win season and a bowl victory. The ability to create continuity amongst our staff is important.
“I think the conversations with have had with our players is important as well, as much as they love and respect Sonny. I think this will help us create an opportunity to sustain success moving forward.”
“My family and I are extremely excited to get this done and to be at Louisiana Tech,” said Cumbie. “Our goal is to continue to win football games that will allow us to continue to build the program and stay in Ruston. My family and I love this community. We love the city and the campus community. We look forward to having a great future here.”
Cumbie’s original five-year contract signed in January of 2022 was worth $1 million per year. In June of 2023, both parties agreed to a reduction of $35,000 immediately and then another reduction of $50,000 in March of 2024. In both of those instances, the funds were allocated towards the assistant coaches salary pool.
Ivey said he feels the newest agreement is a win for both sides.
“We needed to figure out an opportunity to reset the contract,” said Ivey. “I appreciate what Sonny has done and his willingness to have that conversation. I think that says a lot about his character; his willingness to take a pay cut and create an opportunity to help reinvest — reallocate — those funds back into the program. It will help the program have success.
“In this day and age, some coaches aren’t willing to do that. To most of them, it’s about self preservation. That is not the case with Sonny and what we have been able to do with this. I think it was the right thing to do by Sonny. I think it was the right thing to do by the program. And I think it was the right thing to do by our student-athletes.”
Ivey said the $155,000 per year will be reallocated towards “programmatic” causes, including player enhanced benefits.
“When you think about where we are in this day and age, the ability to invest in our players is paramount,” said Ivey. “We can do that through fundraising. We have been able to do that, but we also have to do it through reallocation of expenses and where we are and what we are doing. This goes towards that aspect of it.
“I think it’s one of the many reasons our players really like Sonny. He is willing to sacrifice to help our players and to be able to reinvest back into our player enhanced pool and other areas.”
Cumbie said he strongly believes in doing his part to help better the program.
“I have taken a reduction in salary in the past to help pay assistant coaches more,” said Cumbie. “I believe that you can stand outside of the frying pan and be an observer or you can jump into it. I want to jump in and try to help. I’m wired to help. I want to try to find solutions.
“This is a way for me to try to help our football program retain and acquire really good players that can help us win games. How can I help keep some of our better players here? How can I help keep some of our better coaches here? One of the best ways that I can help is to defer compensation back into the program.
“This is a way for me to put my chips on the table. I want this place to be successful.”
Some of the bonus structure of the new contract includes:
- $50,000 for 5 conference wins OR $75,000 for 6 conference wins OR $100,000 for 7 or more conference wins
- $50,000 for conference title game appearance OR $100,000 for conference title game win
- $25,000 for non-College Football Playoff (CFP) bowl game appearance
- $50,000 for non-CFP bowl win
- $100,000 for CFP appearance
- $200,000 for each CFP win OR $500,000 for qualifying for CFP semifinals or $750,000 for qualifying for CFP title game or $1,000,000 for CFP title game win
- $25,000 for each Power 4 win
- $50,000 for a conference Coach of the Year award
- $100,000 for National Coach of the Year award
There are additional bonuses based on academic performance by the team.
The buyout terms of the contract (without cause) include the university paying Cumbie 75 percent of all the remaining unpaid guaranteed compensation.
“We really wanted to create an incentive opportunity with Sonny, and one that helps us,” said Ivey. “It rewards success, but it also helps us from a business side with what we are trying to do. Philosophically, I think this is where we need to be in college athletics.
“We are able to reset a base salary and create an opportunity where if we have success we will reward that success moving forward. The incentive package we have put together allows us to do that for Sonny.”
Cumbie will soon hire a new offensive coordinator for the second straight year. Tony Franklin stepped aside after the Independence Bowl.
Contact Malcolm at lpjnewsla@gmail.edu
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
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