Tony Samuel contract situation...in limbo

As of the 4:03 pm cst  there has been no official movement (one way or another) on the contract status of SEMO head football coach Tony Samuel. His original five year contract expires Monday.

Courtesy gosoutheast.com

KFVS 12 Sports Director Todd Richards talked with Southeast Athletics Director Jon Shafer Sunday afternoon but Shafer declined comment. Those close to the situation are being very tight lipped.

What makes the situation a bit more pressing is the fact National letter-of-intent signing day is Wednesday.
Coach Samuel is scheduled to attend a signing party Wednesday at Port Cape and discuss this years class.

2010 was an amazing season for Coach Samuel...without question the best in the programs history.

• Eddie Robinson award winner which goes to the National coach of the year
• Roy Kidd award (OVC coach of the year)
• 9-2 regular season record and the programs first conference championship  
• FCS playoffs (the third loss of the season coming to eventual National Champion Eastern Washington)

In five seasons at Southeast Coach Samuel has posted a 22-35 record.

Tony Samuel Will Return For 2010 Season

No big surprise coming from Southeast Missouri State...Just got the official word SEMO football coach Tony Samuel will return for (at least) the fifth and final year of his contract.

Samuel finished the season, on a bit of a high note, hanging with the top ranked Southern Illinios Salukis at Houck stadium for most of the afternoon. SEMO did lose 42-24 but showed passion and never gave up.

Samuel's record at SEMO has been anything but impressive (13-32) which lead many to speculate he would not return. Bringing him back to finish out his current contract is the right move. The University does not need another negative public relations hit (the men's and women's basketball programs stole that spotlight).

The economic ramifications have to be taken into consideration as well. As the economy sits on shaky ground it does not make much sense to pay a coach to go away.

Honestly, would it be the end of the world if the Redhawks roll thorough another losing season in 2010? It's not like there are a lot of expectations placed on the football program to be a winner. If it happens...great. If not..oh well.

SEMO Football under Tony Samuel:

Year W-L OVC Record OVC Finish

2009 2-9 (1-7 OVC) 8th*
2008 4-8 (2-6 OVC) 7th
2007 3-8 (1-6 OVC) 9th
2006 4-7 (2-6 OVC) 7th

*SEMO finished 8th because Jacksonville State was ineligible for OVC Championship.