In the midst of Ball State University's most successful football season ever, university officials and coach Brady Hoke are negotiating to increase Hoke's salary, his assistant coaches' salaries and upgrade the program's facilities.
Hoke's agent, Trace Armstrong, said talks are on-going, but he declined to give specifics on the negotiation. An agreement has not been met, Armstrong said, but he hopes the two sides will come together as soon as possible.
"It's really not up to us; it's up to the school," Armstrong said. "We're very interested in working diligently with the school to reach an agreement."
Armstrong said Hoke received a lot of interest from around the country, but he declined to give specific examples of schools that have contacted him. Hoke said Monday he wants to remain at Ball State next season, and Ball State athletics director Tom Collins said he's committed to presenting an offer that will keep Hoke with the Cardinals.
Hoke, who was named the Mid-American Conference's Coach of the Year on Wednesday, received a new, four-year contract in February that increased his base salary to $240,000 this year. That figure places Hoke eighth of 13 head coaches in the conference.
Like many donors, Mark Thurston is accustomed to answering requests from the university regarding funding for various projects.
Thurston is the owner of TK Constructors and played basketball at Ball State during Hoke's playing days with the Cardinals' football program. He said no one has asked him to donate money in an attempt to keep Hoke with the university, but he would gladly participate if given the chance.
Before he does that, he said, he needs to be assured that the administration is committed to Hoke.
"I think they have the opportunity to invest in Brady and keep him here the next few years," Thurston said. "It's much easier for me to invest in the university when I feel they are investing as well. ... Brady is one of the rare birds who doesn't think very much about money, but he has to feel the university is doing its part."
Ball State defensive captain Brandon Crawford said he and his teammates think Hoke is worth a substantial raise.
"I think everyone knows, to keep someone here you have to satisfy them, and that's pay the person," Crawford said. "If you're successful in your job, and you meet your requirements, you get a raise. If you're not successful, and you fail, you usually get fired."
Thurston said he understands if the university declines to offer a significant increase on Hoke's salary because it traditionally keeps coaching salaries low. However, he said the university changed its tendency when it extended a contract that made former women's basketball coach Tracy Roller the highest-paid in the MAC.
Collins offered Roller a four-year contract worth $728,000 in late March 2007 after leading the Cardinals to a 24-7 record and outright West Division title. A missed the second half of last season - citing a faulty case of mononucleosis - and resigned last April after being diagnosed with manic depression.
"There's a long-standing tradition that we (Ball State) don't pay very much," Thurston said. "But if you're going to pay your women's basketball coach (the best in the MAC) after having success, you have to do that with the football coach."
Armstrong said he thinks the administration will present an adequate offer in the near future because it recognizes the benefits this season has given the university.
"It's been one of the best stories of sports this year," Armstrong said. "This season has had far-reaching consequences. I would imagine the university would be very interested in keeping Brady."
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