Two days after losing 38-28 to Purdue University, Ball State University extended football coach Brady Hoke's contract through Jan. 31, 2011 with a base salary of $157,970.
Since Hoke was hired Dec. 18, 2002, the football team record has been 13-30.
Extending the contract was a bad play for the university to make.
In the past three years Ball State football has placed fifth, sixth and fifth, respectively, out of six teams in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
Hoke has a reputation for being a defensive coach. But since 2003, the Ball State defense has gotten progressively worse. The team is currently 116 out of 119 in Division 1-A in defense. Three years ago, it was 71 out of 119.
With the new contract Ball State gave Hoke, the university will most likely being paying him until 2011 - whether the football team wins or not.
If Ball State chose to fire Hoke before 2011, he will continue to be paid his salary. The only way Ball State could get out of the contract would be for Hoke to quit, engage in criminal activity or violate NCAA or MAC rules.
Normally people are excited to talk about a contract extension - but no one wants to talk now. If there are other factors - such as academic accomplishments - that contributed to Hoke's rehiring, officials certainly aren't promoting them. His inability to lead a successful football program certainly isn't it.
Hoke's performance as head football coach, with a 13-30 record and deteriorating defense, called for termination, not an extension of contract.
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