RUSTON - Louisiana Tech Vice President and Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey announced today a restructured three-year contract with Bulldog head football coach Sonny Cumbie.

The new agreement features a new annual salary and several on and off-field performance-based incentives.

Cumbie's restructured annual salary of $760,000 will allow the remaining initial salary of $155,000 per year to be reallocated toward programmatic causes, including player-enhanced benefits. 

"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."

"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 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. 

"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."

The agreement is pending approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

"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 President Jim 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."

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