 "Photo:")
The final seconds ticked off on an undefeated regular season, fireworks exploded in the night sky and a school-record student section rushed the field in a scene usually reserved for BCS football programs.
Ball State University's 23-point win against Western Michigan University a week ago was the climax of the Cardinals' 12-0 season. But another clock is ticking simultaneously. This timeline could negatively influence the potential for head coach Brady Hoke to be at Ball State University next season.
Athletics director Tom Collins said Monday the Cardinals' 12-0 regular season greatly benefited the university, and it's important to continue that success next year.
Collins said his first priority is to retain Hoke, an effort that will involve increased salaries and improved facilities.
"We have to work hard to support Brady and his program," Collins said. "I think he's one of the finer coaches in the Mid-American Conference. We need to continue to work with Brady to make sure we can provide an offer that will keep him here."
Hoke received his second raise in as many years in February. His base salary increased to $240,000, the eighth-highest of 13 head coaches in the MAC. Hoke will receive at least an extra $20,000 in incentives, according to his contract, $5,000 for winning the MAC West Division, $5,000 for participating in the MAC Championship Game and $10,000 for a bowl game.
Hoke's agent, Trace Armstrong, was unavailable for comment Monday night.
Hoke, a 1982 graduate of Ball State, said Monday he wants to remain in Muncie next season.
"This is my school," Hoke said. "This is a special place for all of us. My family, if you go through the lineage, there's a lot of us who were here."
Collins refused to give any comment in regards to contract negotiations with Hoke.
At least one alumnus has concerns whether Ball State's administration will keep Hoke. Jason Whitlock, a columnist for The Kansas City Star who played for the Cardinals from 1985-88, said the administration has handled the situation unprofessionally.
"The university is dragging its feet, and it's disappointing," Whitlock said. "This should've been addressed and wrapped up a month ago. I cover major universities across the country, and that's how you appropriately deal with a coach that has had this kind of success."
Whitlock first told Ball State President Jo Ann Gora she needed to address Hoke's contract situation in September. A couple days before Ball State's game with Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 25, Collins and him had dinner at Gora's house to talk about a potential salary raise for Hoke.
Whitlock said he offered $50,000 during the dinner to help keep Hoke at Ball State.
"Everybody said the right things," Whitlock said. "But I left there questioning whether they had the courage and will to do the right things."
The right thing, Hoke's former teammate Ken Kremer said, is for the administration to commit to paying Hoke what he's worth and providing better football facilities.
Kremer was a star on the Cardinals' 1978 MAC Champion team before playing six seasons in the NFL. He's a good friend of Hoke's and has fond memories of his time at Ball State.
Kremer, who now works as a sports agent for Creative Artists Agency, said Hoke should leave if the administration isn't willing to give him a significant commitment.
"I'm disappointed because it takes so long in that conference to become a dominant player," Kremer said. "You have to stay on top of it. You have to have consistency. Brady has done it the right way. He kept persevering and going on. As an alumnus, I am befuddled how they won't recognize him and pay him for his performance. He's the best coach in the conference. He should be paid better than the top coach in the conference."
Whitlock said Collins' salary offer should range between $375,000 and $425,000. The second figure would make Hoke the second-highest-paid coach in the conference, behind Temple's Al Golden.
"We just need to make our best effort to keep Brady Hoke," Whitlock said. "Whether it's good enough or not, we have to make our best effort.
"We haven't done that."
Hoke's history The table below shows Hoke's record since he started coaching at Ball State:
2003: 4-8, 3-5 MAC 2004: 2-9, 2-6 MAC 2005: 4-7, 4-4 MAC 2006: 5-7, 5-3 MAC 2007: 7-6, 5-2 MAC 2008: 12-0, 8-0 MAC Career record: 34-37, 27-20 MAC
Be the first to comment on this article!