UAH president presents and trustees approve three-year contract extension for athletic director Cade Smith

The University of Alabama Board Compensation Committee approved a three-year contract extension for University of Alabama in Huntsville athletic director Dr. Cade Smith, extending his employment through March 25, 2028, with a base salary of $150,000 and total compensation, including a vehicle and cell-phone stipend, of $163,140.

Dr. Chuck Carr, UAH president, presented the item and reviewed Smith’s timeline at UAH: hired in 2016, interim athletic director in 2019, permanent in 2020, and now recommended for a new three-year contract. Carr credited Smith with hires and competitive success across UAH athletics, citing both men’s and women’s basketball appearances in the NCAA tournament and a lengthy winning streak referenced in the meeting.

The committee moved and seconded consideration and approved the contract by voice vote.

Why it matters: The extension formalizes leadership at UAH athletics and recognizes recent program accomplishments described by the president. Trustees noted the absence of an operational learning curve given Smith’s experience in the role.

Carr summarized Smith’s accomplishments: hires of coaches Mick Hedgepeth (men’s basketball) and Alan Sharp (women’s basketball), conference championships and all-conference/all-American selections, and sustained success across programs. Trustees offered congratulatory remarks and approved the extension without amendment.

The item was approved by voice vote; the transcript records the committee saying “All in favor… Aye” and “The item is approved.”