So ... I have no idea about what is happening, what is going to happen, or anything related to who the next head coach will be.
But let us talk some basic math.
The Cost of Mullen:
1) In another thread, I calculated the estimated total, all-in cost of Mullen plus assistant coach budget to be about $7.5 million per year. This compares to the total all-in cost of RU's coaching staff last year of about $3.5 million per year. This means, that should Mullen be available and/or interested, it would probably cost RU about $4 million per year more than what RU has been spending per year on the total coaching budget.
2) IF ... and I say if ... RU can show enough promise to re-ignite fan interest, I would see the potential of increasing SEASON ticket sales by 3,000 seats per game. Yes, I know that RU has often had fewer than 3,000 seats in the stadium. But many of these tickets have been discounted or specials to fill seats, especially this season. An increase of season ticket sales by 3,000 tickets per year is about $1,000,000 per year extra revenue JUST in ticket sales. Plus there is parking and concessions that probably double that. So an increase in season ticket sales by 3,000 tickets means an incremental $2,000,000 per year in revenue. PLUS ... season tickets require contributions as well ... how much? I do not know for sure, but conservatively, I would guess an additional $500,000 per year just from the incrementally new 3,000 season ticket holders. So that means that RU could probably reasonably hope for at least $2,500,000 to offset the incremental $4,000,000 extra costs. And that is without any other considerations.
3) Other considerations: RU would very likely raise its required contribution levels, and maybe also its ticket prices. For perspective, if RU raised its ticket prices $5 per ticket per game, assuming 40,000 tickets per game, that is another $1,400,000 per year additional revenues. If for every 4 seats, RU could gain an additional $100 in contributions (maybe because points requirements are increased - and points count for every 4 seats), that would mean an additional $750,000 per year. If those 2 items alone are added ... voila! ... more than $2,100,000 additional money ... and the salary increase is now covered ... and then some. We have not even considered the possibility of voluntary increased points giving by existing donors.
But let us talk some basic math.
The Cost of Mullen:
1) In another thread, I calculated the estimated total, all-in cost of Mullen plus assistant coach budget to be about $7.5 million per year. This compares to the total all-in cost of RU's coaching staff last year of about $3.5 million per year. This means, that should Mullen be available and/or interested, it would probably cost RU about $4 million per year more than what RU has been spending per year on the total coaching budget.
2) IF ... and I say if ... RU can show enough promise to re-ignite fan interest, I would see the potential of increasing SEASON ticket sales by 3,000 seats per game. Yes, I know that RU has often had fewer than 3,000 seats in the stadium. But many of these tickets have been discounted or specials to fill seats, especially this season. An increase of season ticket sales by 3,000 tickets per year is about $1,000,000 per year extra revenue JUST in ticket sales. Plus there is parking and concessions that probably double that. So an increase in season ticket sales by 3,000 tickets means an incremental $2,000,000 per year in revenue. PLUS ... season tickets require contributions as well ... how much? I do not know for sure, but conservatively, I would guess an additional $500,000 per year just from the incrementally new 3,000 season ticket holders. So that means that RU could probably reasonably hope for at least $2,500,000 to offset the incremental $4,000,000 extra costs. And that is without any other considerations.
3) Other considerations: RU would very likely raise its required contribution levels, and maybe also its ticket prices. For perspective, if RU raised its ticket prices $5 per ticket per game, assuming 40,000 tickets per game, that is another $1,400,000 per year additional revenues. If for every 4 seats, RU could gain an additional $100 in contributions (maybe because points requirements are increased - and points count for every 4 seats), that would mean an additional $750,000 per year. If those 2 items alone are added ... voila! ... more than $2,100,000 additional money ... and the salary increase is now covered ... and then some. We have not even considered the possibility of voluntary increased points giving by existing donors.
