By DOUG ZALESKI
dzaleski@muncie.gannett.com
When Brady Hoke signed a contract this month to finally formalize his five-year deal to coach football at San Diego State, the details of the seven-page document verified a financial boost for his former school.
The contract stipulated that San Diego State would pay Ball State $240,000 for the buyout of Hoke’s contract with the Cardinals. Hoke coached the Cardinals from 2003-08.
Hoke and Ball State agreed in February 2008 to amend the terms of his contract, which extended the deal through the 2010 season. The reworked language included a $240,000 buyout paid to Ball State by any school that hired Hoke after the end of the 2008 regular season but before the end of the 2009 season.

Hoke signed a memorandum of understanding offer Dec. 16, 2008 — 21 days after Ball State’s 2008 regular season ended — to coach the Aztecs. On Oct. 13, nearly 10 months after accepting the job, he signed a formal contract that will pay him $3,525,000 during the life of the deal.

San Diego State paid Hoke’s buyout money to Ball State on March 18. The check was deposited into the school’s general administration account for athletics as miscellaneous revenue, and was not earmarked for anything in particular.
“It can be used for anything in the athletic department,” Cardinals athletic director Tom Collins said.
As for Hoke’s contract with San Diego State, a copy of which was obtained by The Star Press, a hefty buyout would be required if he left the Aztecs for another job. If he quits in the first two years, he would owe the school $1.5 million. He would owe $1 million if he quits in the third or fourth years, and $750,000 if he quits in his final year.
Most of the money in the contract is guaranteed. If Hoke were fired for not winning enough games, there is no clause that requires him to be reassigned to another position at San Diego State. Former coach Chuck Long, fired after last season, works on “projects and analysis” for the Aztecs’ athletic department.
Hoke will receive a base salary of $210,000 and supplemental compensation of $465,000 for a total of $675,000 this season. That total will go up each year, reaching $750,000 in his fifth season.
There is compensation for several athletic and academic achievements, such as $400,000 for a BCS national championship and $200,000 for a BCS bowl appearance. Hoke also will receive a minimum bonus of $25,000 and maximum of $100,000 for a prescribed amount of season ticket income taken in by the school.
Hoke also received moving expenses up to $21,000, membership at a private golf club and a courtesy vehicle.
Contact sports writer Doug Zaleski at 213-5813.