Faulk’s Southern Contract Lets Him Keep 20% of Donations

By: Daniel Libit 

Marshall Faulk‘s new agreement to become head football coach at Southern University allows the former NFL star to earn 20% of any new fundraising revenue he helps generate for the university. 

According to a partially signed copy of the agreement, obtained via open records request, Faulk would also be permitted to direct half of those newly raised funds toward the football program. The fundraising bonus is contingent on the team meeting NCAA academic and eligibility standards. The version shared with Sportico was signed by Faulk and athletic director Roman Banks on Dec. 16, and was waiting for signatures from school chancellor John Pierre and system board of supervisors chair Tony Clayton. 

Faulk’s fundraising arrangement mirrors a similar structure used for another former NFL player-turned-HBCU head coach. Grambling State’s Hue Jackson, whose deal was signed in January 2022, entitled him 25% of any new commercial revenues he was responsible for generating. Those, however, did not include donations or contributions. In any case, Jackson was fired in late 2023 without having triggered the bonus.  

Faulk’s three-year agreement, set to begin Jan. 1, includes base compensation of $400,000, along with a wide array of performance incentives tied to on-field success and ticket revenue benchmarks. Bonuses are available for achievements such as defeating an FBS opponent. If the university sells more than $1 million in ticket sales, Faulk would get an extra $10,000; if it sells between $750,000 and $1 million in tickets, he would get $5,000. 

Faulk’s base pay matches what he earned this year as an assistant coach under Deion Sanders at Colorado. As part of a two-year contract with CU, he was set to earn $425,000 for the 2026-27 season. Faulk does not owe the Buffaloes any money for terminating that agreement early. 

As for the fundraising incentive, the agreement stipulates that on Dec. 15 of each year, Faulk will be provided an annual report showing the private donations, earmarked for football, to the Southern University System Foundation. He would then receive payment for all incentives, including performance, within 45 days. 

Faulk, a former All-American running back at San Diego State, was named Southern’s next head coach in November. He replaces Terrence Graves, who was fired in October following the team’s 1-6 start.  

If Faulk is fired without cause, Southern would owe him $400,000 in liquidated damages if the termination occurs before Dec. 31, 2027, and $75,000 if he is fired between then and the end of his contract. Faulk, on the other hand, would owe the university $400,000 if he decides to leave at any point prior to the end of the term.