Started to respond earlier, but started thinking about entirety of athletic program as an AD. While FB and MBB generate revenues and pay the bills, let's look at total picture and expectations:
Here are my recommendations if I were AD in late 2021.
1. Absolute minimum goal for all sports is to be in top half of conference every year. If coach fails to achieve, he/she is given one year to remedy before a performance review that can (and likely will) result in termination with only one year severance paid. If team finishes bottom two teams in conference--automatic termination and would considered as fired for cause as far as severance.
2. Coaches are expected to compete for a conference championship game at a minimum of every fourth year in all sports. If no championships are won during the entire contract period, this will severely affect contract renewal prospects and likely result in coach retirement or a negotiated settlement via non-renewal.
3. Base contracts cannot be made for longer than five years. One year extension is made for 8+ wins and winning a bowl game (football), reaching the conference championship game, or reaching NCAA postseason play in other sports. This can make it into a rolling sixth, otherwise it's just +1 to existing term. Two-year extensions can be granted for outright conference championships if four years are left on original agreement to make it as many as six--otherwise it's just +2 to remaining term. A CFP appearance, national championship, CWS, or Final Four will result in a new five-year contract with substantially higher salary and performance bonus.
4. Progressive bonuses can be made for (a) finishing ranked in AP, CFP, or Coaches Top 25, (b) being statistical conference leader in total offense, defense, special teams, or fewest penalties, or metric that is specific to the superlative in sport (c) being in top two in academics in conference (d) having most/multiple all conference players (e) depth in (W)NIT/NCAA Tournament (f) graduation rate percentage/APR being in top 25 in NCAA (that is in all divisions).
5. Current Football and MBB Regime: CRS would be allowed to retire as coach in 2022 or accept a new Associate AD job with new outlined duties to fulfill remainder of his contract--if not then termination. Assistant coaches would be on clock for review at end of season and termination or retention based on job performance. Basketball coaches would receive a review at end of the 2021-22 season for continued employment based on performance.
6. Facilities: Build out recently announced complete plan by July 1, 2024 all phases, including IPF. All football stadium seats become chairbacks. Skyboxes in MC. Removal of bleacher seating in MC bleachers with all chairback seating. New endzone scoreboards/videoboards (those are dated from 2006). Correct all deficiencies in deferred Maintenace.
7. Hire a new director of media and marketing with directive to increase season ticket sales, caravan exposure in Southern Middle Tennessee, and increase game day promotions for events (e.g. half price tickets or combo football/basketball packages). Make a bid on the TSSAA Blue Cross Bowl and keep all spring fling events.
8. Improve local television contracts and radio coverage in Mid-State--broadcast games over the air (e.g. Channel 30 or 58) in addition to our conference contracts for TV. WMOT 89.5 to be flagship home of all MT athletics. Secondary areas for radio coverage would include Nashville, Columbia, McMinnville, Lawrenceburg, Tullahoma, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Gallatin. Make the Blue Raider network a true network and easy to find!
9. Call Daktronics or FairPlay to get an RFP for installing a new video scoreboard in Floyd Stadium. Extend ribbon boards to completely cover decks.
10. Improve 5G wifi coverage and increase stadium amenities (improve dining options in stadium, expand the Lightnings Locker Room, etc) comparable to P5 universities. Consultants may be hired to fulfill this option.
11. Commission a new study of a new mascot/logo for MT. Can incorporate the block lettering, but a refresh is in order. Get students/SGA to make suggestions and make recommendations.
12. New PA stadium announcer.
13. Aggressive fund raising and community visibility. "Our Town, Our Team" needs to be in deed, not just word.
14. Explore options for conference realignment (AAC?).
15. Explore the options for ice hockey and bring the sport on or near campus. Look at buying the old Mercury Plaza SC or Kroger SC that is five blocks from campus to see if a 3,000-seat facility can be built on the pad, if MC cannot be retrofitted.
16. Encourage local recruiting efforts to be in the Mid-State while retaining the current areas of focus. Consider expanding to the Midwest when opportunities and relationships are strengthened.
17. No FCS opponents in football unless Tennessee based teams (ETSU, UT-C, Tenn Tech, Tenn State, APSU, UT-M) or a rare extenuating circumstance where a cancellation rendered a vacancy in the schedule that resulted in a loss of a home game. Heavily promote these FCS opponents to generate local interest--including bringing back Harvey or Shinny Ninny or a create rivalry trophy.
18. Attendance goals: Minimum 19,000 in football and 7,200 for basketball (actual in seats). Sell 80-85% of available tickets.
