Post by Trojan Warrior on Jul 10, 2014 4:00:15 GMT -6
LAFAYETTE, La. – University Louisiana-Lafayette (UL-Lafayette) Ragin’ Cajuns football team has accomplished the best three-year run in the history of the program. ULL is unquestionably in the golden years with 45-year-old head coach Mark Hudspeth entering his fourth season with the team.
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty ImagesRecently, the UL-Lafayette athletic department signed a deal to raise his salary by $200,000, to an average of $1.075 million over the six-year contract. The deal is worth $6.45 million according to the Advertiser. This contract makes Hudspeth the highest paid coach in the Sun Belt Conference and is first coach to earn seven figures in the conference. Despite the extension between the two parties, expect Hudspeth to move to a bigger program in college football due to his successful tenure.
The history of the UL-Lafayette football team provides insight to why Hudspeth is destined to leave the program. During the first season with Hudspeth, the program won nine games. the highest ever by a Ragin’ Cajuns football team. Additionally, the program played their first-ever bowl game at Division I level. In a thrilling finish in the New Orleans Bowl, Louisana-Lafayette kicked a last second field goal to beat San Diego State 32-30.
The next two seasons, the team won nine games each year, including two more wins in the New Orleans Bowl under Hudspeth’s guidance. Along with the 2013 bowl victory, the team won a Sun Belt Conference championship. Despite Hudspeth short time at UL-Lafayette, he has created an immediate impact by turning a three-win team into a solid 27-12 record under his command. This prompt success will have athletic directors desperate for Hudspeth in a win now culture of college football.
Another element into Hudspeth leaving the UL-Lafayette in the future is the terms of his new contract. The buyout prevented the contract from being finalized. 70 days later, the contract was completed during mid-June. The long negotiation process of the contract signifies Hudspeth eyeing other head coaching positions in the future.
“Coach Hudspeth and I have talked about from the very beginning that we don’t want a lateral move, and we don’t want a slightly higher move,” said Scott Farmer, Director of Athletics at UL-Lafayette in an interview to the Advertiser. “But if the great opportunity becomes available, we understand that.” (Full Article)
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty ImagesRecently, the UL-Lafayette athletic department signed a deal to raise his salary by $200,000, to an average of $1.075 million over the six-year contract. The deal is worth $6.45 million according to the Advertiser. This contract makes Hudspeth the highest paid coach in the Sun Belt Conference and is first coach to earn seven figures in the conference. Despite the extension between the two parties, expect Hudspeth to move to a bigger program in college football due to his successful tenure.
The history of the UL-Lafayette football team provides insight to why Hudspeth is destined to leave the program. During the first season with Hudspeth, the program won nine games. the highest ever by a Ragin’ Cajuns football team. Additionally, the program played their first-ever bowl game at Division I level. In a thrilling finish in the New Orleans Bowl, Louisana-Lafayette kicked a last second field goal to beat San Diego State 32-30.
The next two seasons, the team won nine games each year, including two more wins in the New Orleans Bowl under Hudspeth’s guidance. Along with the 2013 bowl victory, the team won a Sun Belt Conference championship. Despite Hudspeth short time at UL-Lafayette, he has created an immediate impact by turning a three-win team into a solid 27-12 record under his command. This prompt success will have athletic directors desperate for Hudspeth in a win now culture of college football.
Another element into Hudspeth leaving the UL-Lafayette in the future is the terms of his new contract. The buyout prevented the contract from being finalized. 70 days later, the contract was completed during mid-June. The long negotiation process of the contract signifies Hudspeth eyeing other head coaching positions in the future.
“Coach Hudspeth and I have talked about from the very beginning that we don’t want a lateral move, and we don’t want a slightly higher move,” said Scott Farmer, Director of Athletics at UL-Lafayette in an interview to the Advertiser. “But if the great opportunity becomes available, we understand that.” (Full Article)