Southern Football Coach Stump Mitchell to Receive Same Salary as Predecessor Pete Richardson
It took former Southern University head football coach Pete Richardson 17 years and a couple of SWAC football championships to build up to an annual salary of $200,000. New head coach Stump Mitchell needed only to walk through the door to collect the same.
Mitchell got a three-year contract at $200,000 per season with a fourth year as a mutual option, Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said Wednesday.
Richardson, who spent 17 years as Southern’s coach, was paid $200,000 for his final seasons. He retired after last season and was replaced by Mitchell, a former Washington Redskins assistant coach, in January.
Mitchell will have $400,000 available to pay his assistant coaches, LaFleur said. Richardson had $335,000 to spread among six assistant coaches last season.
Early reports on spring practice indicate that Mitchell may well be worth the dime, but hope and a bunch of calisthenics do not SWAC champions make. Nevertheless, hard work early into the regime can only be a positive sign for Mitchell and the new look Jaguars.
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Well, the truth is, as a collegiate coach, he was ill prepared to take the reins as coach when his predecessor stepped down. In addition, Morgan State at the time only gave what was necessary to keep the football program running, and was severely at odds financially to run with the big boys in the MEAC. That being said, he had time on the next level as a coach, and know what is needed for players to be successful. In addition, he had time under Mike Holmgren, who is considered one of the best offensive minds in the game.
Many, including myself, were adamantly opposed to hiring him, but after reading the Advocate (BR) and hearing from players personally attest to the man’s character, attention to detail, and discipline, believe we can actually win the SWAC, and hopefully OOC games this year. Coach Pete faced opposition when he was hired, but look at the outcome. In addition, after the 2004 season, in which we last went to the SWAC Championship game, Richardson was able to secure the $200,000+ contract that he had until now. So Coach Pete had five years at 200,000+ dollars that he was earning, but we did not expect the state of Southern football to fall so steep.
Now that we got our facilities up to par, and with the physical plant being overhauled, it would be easier to convince top players to come and play at Southern. Along with a coach with NFL experience, not just SWAC, MEAC, SEC, Big 10, CIAA, or SIAC experience, but know how to get the players to the next level and most importantly, graduate, I don’t see Southern not being at the top of the SWAC.
I wouldn’t have expected much less, but something on par with what his previous experience has earned him. And as a caller mentioned this evening on HBCU Sports Talk Radio, its not like the money wasn’t already there, so I do understand your point.
I just find it interesting that SU, publicly and privately, is doing all it can to save money where it can, and didn’t choose to do so in its hiring of an unproven coach.
Well, Coach Pete set the bar. Can you honestly expect us to offer less now?