post Texas A&M: Hud Accountability Index

[Just1More]

Renewing the contract is not a factor until 2020. As far as staying around till then, I again ask who will write the check which is needed to buy him out. That is likely in the 2 million range. MAT says there are people willing to do it if things get bad enough. Personally i am skeptical of that in this economy. I also don't think we will get much of an attendance rebound with a change simply because the economy is much worse than most realize. I am not saying a change should not be made if improvement does not occur. That is a different deal than having to raise the money for a buyout.

I tend to agree. This year, Hud will not be fired mid-year... no way, no how. This season would have to go unimaginably bad to even entertain not giving him next year. I think there would have to be other circumstances that warranted "termination with cause" to trigger a firing.

I have no idea of the pulse of our admin. If there were no buyout, what would have been their tolerance for football results and/or issues within the program? Some people think the buyout structure is a mistake. I think some ADs and presidents like the way it's structured. It keeps hot-headed boosters from bugging them every time the program burps. It also puts the coalition of high dollar boosters in the "you want him out, you buy him out" seat.

My gut tells me that Hud will be here for 2 years minimum... unless something develops that creates a "termination with cause" situation. For those that still strongly believe in Hud, that gives him time to impress the rest. I worry that we'll not have complete success or complete failure... to either make us cut our losses... or win the enthusiasm back to Cajun football. That's what I'm worried about.

[cajun4life]

You still have to have someone or several someone's write that check...and if I know this university it's the same people who always write the check. Then those same exact people will be expected to pay for the new coach. Some of you are pretty quick to write other people's checks. I know what I give to rcaf isn't gonna cover that...how about y'all donations? this school doesn't operate like a business, they spend every penny and plus some every year. They spend according to the budget.

Very true. But we don't have to shell out a base salary of $975K. You make the total compensation package the same as Hudspeth's just with larger incintive packages. Make an outright Sun Belt title more lucrative than a bowl game or bowl win. Make 8 wins the base line expectations. Bonus escalators for each subsequent win. Attendance and academic incentives. Recruiting incintives.

All thing that can increase the total value of the contract without a huge base salary.

[GeauxLouisiana]

I have to agree with you. Although he may cost us more than $2 million you still must have $2 million available to buy him out.......that's just the facts of life. We can all standby and see it happen but someone has to fork the money over to make that happen.

One thing I know for sure, I don't have $2 million to spare.

You won't need $2MM to cover the buyout and the new coaching staff salary. You just need to cover the buyout. A new coach's salary will have to be paid regardless, so the money is there through current RCAF donations and university funds. We'd very likely get a new coach in the $600K-$750K range, so there would be cost savings there.

Update: The buyout for firing Hud as of 12/31/2017 is $1.5MM.

[Hark Mudspeth]

Very true. But we don't have to shell out a base salary of $975K. You make the total compensation package the same as Hudspeth's just with larger incintive packages. Make an outright Sun Belt title more lucrative than a bowl game or bowl win. Make 8 wins the base line expectations. Bonus escalators for each subsequent win. Attendance and academic incentives. Recruiting incintives.

All thing that can increase the total value of the contract without a huge base salary.

I would certainly hope the next coaches salary would be very inventive based...however you still have to have the total amount committed. If that coach hits every incentive In the contract you have to be prepared to pay the full amount and have that money committed. 2017 was nowhere near where anyone thought the Gulf of Mexico would be, 2018 isn't looking any better. The people with the pen in their hands are a little more hesitant to commit millions of dollars to a football coach. People are still getting laid off and there is no considerable postivives in the near future. I think if it Hud doesn't have anymore situations, he will have this year and next at the least to turn it around. JMO but I think aftw 2018 is when buying him out would make the most sense when you look at everything realistically.

[cajun4life]

I would certainly hope the next coaches salary would be very inventive based...however you still have to have the total amount committed. If that coach hits every incentive In the contract you have to be prepared to pay the full amount and have that money committed. 2017 was nowhere near where anyone thought the Gulf of Mexico would be, 2018 isn't looking any better. The people with the pen in their hands are a little more hesitant to commit millions of dollars to a football coach. People are still getting laid off and there is no considerable postivives in the near future. I think if it Hud doesn't have anymore situations, he will have this year and next at the least to turn it around. JMO but I think aftw 2018 is when buying him out would make the most sense when you look at everything realistically.

Trust me I know about the economy. I spent 13 months without work. Our program will not recover if Hudspeth has a losing season this year and next year. It will send the message that we as a program are cheap and not looking to win.

[Hark Mudspeth]

Trust me I know about the economy. I spent 13 months without work. Our program will not recover if Hudspeth has a losing season this year and next year. It will send the message that we as a program are cheap and not looking to win.

The direction of the program will depend on the next hire, that's it. You make a good hire the program will be just fine. You make a bad hire we are screwed. That's the bottom line whether it's this year or next or the next..or any year. I think we will surprise people in conference personally if Davis can stay healthy. Given the buyout amount I think he will be given next year with a senior QB to try and right the ship. If he doesn't then he will have been given plenty opportunity and the buyout becomes more manageable.

[MetryCajun]

I was waiting and waiting... and no one has called anyone an "azz licker" in that "one post away" warning. Is that disappointing to you?

By the way, does this site have influence... or does it not? If it does, then the subjects discussed need to be debated. If it does not, then why weigh in on C4L's year long promotion?

I contend that it's a worthwhile fan exercise to open up discussions/debates. And I'll add this... if you attack the credibility of the OP... and they call you a name... that's just life. If you are giving good debate arguments... and they call you a name... then they're in the wrong. I've too often read the same posters that don't like ad hominem attacks... turn right around and discredit the poster... not the subject of the post.

You were called no names in the development of this post.

You may want to reread the chain of events. C4L was posting that our program was a hot mess. Angel then called him an azz licker, which was funny in its own right (hence my Lol to start). I also found it funny because C4L has made his position on the program quite clear over the past year. How on gods green earth could someone think he abruptly changed mind after another 4 touchdown loss? You would think said person would at least take a deep breath and reread the post.
As you know I called no one a disparaging name nor did I try to refute any of C4L claims. They are his opinions. I just wanted to point out even a good Cajun soldier like C4L who calls for hud to be fired daily (RP making an impact?) can be called out for a single post that is perceived to not tow the company line. Maybe I have a warped sense of humor but I thought it was hilarious.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I have to agree with you. Although he may cost us more than $2 million you still must have $2 million available to buy him out.......that's just the facts of life. We can all standby and see it happen but someone has to fork the money over to make that happen.

One thing I know for sure, I don't have $2 million to spare.

Do you have a thousand? We've got 1800 plus RCAF members. I'd donate a thousand to buy him up. That's 1.8 million to get a better chance.

[MetryCajun]

The direction of the program will depend on the next hire, that's it. You make a good hire the program will be just fine. You make a bad hire we are screwed. That's the bottom line whether it's this year or next or the next..or any year. I think we will surprise people in conference personally if Davis can stay healthy. Given the buyout amount I think he will be given next year with a senior QB to try and right the ship. If he doesn't then he will have been given plenty opportunity and the buyout becomes more manageable.

Yes. Now if there is another scandal, this may make the administration take early action.

[Hark Mudspeth]

Yes. Now if there is another scandal, this may make the administration take early action.

Agreed.