by Malcolm Butler
Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey announced today that the University has come to terms on a new three-year contract with Bulldog head football coach Sonny Cumbie.
Ivey called it a “reset” as the previous contract had one year remaining on it and would have expired following the 2026 season.
The new agreement — pending approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System — is a three-year deal worth $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.”
The new deal only guarantees the first two years of the contract with the guarantee on the third and final year of the agreement being triggered by at least six wins in 2026.
“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.”
Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson said he believes the program is headed in the right direction and that the contract will benefit all parties.
“The way this team closed the season with pride, resilience, heart, and victories is a tribute to the coach that recruited them, developed them, and inspired them to compete,” said Henderson. “Our expectations for success are reflected by the statues of Coach Joe Aillet and Coach Maxie Lambright that remind all who enter the Davison Athletic Complex of our championship pedigree.
“In 2025, we took a significant step toward those expectations. The incentive-based agreement our AD and head football coach developed is smart, financially responsible in an era that defies that principle, and it sets the stage for Coach Cumbie and staff to lead the Bulldogs to championships.”
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
- $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 CUSA Coach of the Year award
- $100,000 for National Coach of the Year award
There are additional bonuses based on academics.
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 just completed his fourth year in Ruston as the Bulldogs posted an 8-5 record and defeated Coastal Carolina 23-14 in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
