Sonny Cumbie
Head Football Coach • Louisiana Tech (Bulldogs)
School Owes Coach: $875,000
Contract buyout as tracked by USA Today Sports: $875,000. (School reported that Cumbie declined the $25,000 bonus he was set to receive for the team's appearance in the Independence Bowl, and 'a portion of those funds were redirected as a bonus for the non-contracted football staff.')
Coach / Hiring School Owes: $800,000
If Sonny Cumbie accepts a position as head coach with another collegiate program or an NFL franchise prior to 2026-12-31, he or his new employer is legally bound to pay this liquidated departure penalty.
Job Stability vs. The Hot Seat
Pending Fan Consensus
Contract Job Stability is rated Fragile Stability. Awaiting 5 more community vote(s) to officially establish the Hot Seat alignment.
Negligible financial barrier; athletic director can execute termination with minimal economic hardship.
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Interactive Amortization Simulator for Sonny Cumbie
Simulate Termination Date & Buyout Cost
See how contract amortization, date milestones, and mitigation clauses reduce buyout liability over time.
Duty to Mitigate (New Job Offset Analysis)
Contract Calculation Formula:
USA Today FOIA benchmark: $875,000. Audit performed against October 2025 baseline. Proposed changes were rejected due to lack of substantiating evidence for the reduction of coachLeavesBuyout to 0.
- •Standard termination for cause provisions
- •Performance-based incentive structures
- •Buyout structure based on remaining salary obligations
Audit performed against October 2025 baseline. Proposed changes were rejected due to lack of substantiating evidence for the reduction of coachLeavesBuyout to 0.
Verified Public & News Reference Sources (1):
FOIA Verified: As an arm of state government, Louisiana Tech releases employment agreements and board-approved amendments under public records legislation.