Southeast indicates Samuel will return

~ AD is Silent on coach's status, but Samuel is scheduled to speak at a recruit signing party two days after his contract is due to expire

The Southeast Missouri State department of athletics issued a news release Tuesday to publicize a Feb. 2 signing day party at which coach Tony Samuel is scheduled to speak about the Redhawks' new recruits.

Yet Southeast director of athletics John Shafer would not say Tuesday whether Samuel still will be employed by the university when the signing day party rolls around.

Samuel's original five-year contract, dated Dec. 19, 2005, expires Monday.

While most people expect Samuel to continue as Southeast's coach after one of the top seasons in the program's 104-year history -- he continues to actively recruit in anticipation of the Feb. 2 national signing day -- Shafer remained mum on the subject.

"I don't have a comment," Shafer said when asked about Samuel's contract status. "When we have a release to make, we'll make it."

Shafer repeated his "no comment" mantra when asked if a contract extension already had been finalized or if an announcement would be forthcoming in the next few days.

Samuel recently completed his fifth season at Southeast, leading the Redhawks to the program's first playoff berth.

Southeast went 9-3 for the program's first winning season since 2002 and only the third since it moved to the Football Championship Subdivision level in 1991.

The Redhawks won the program's first Ohio Valley Conference championship. Samuel was named OVC coach of the year and also earned the prestigious Eddie Robinson Award as the FCS national coach of the year.

Southeast posted a 13-32 record during Samuel's first four years before the breakout 2010 season.

There has been Internet speculation that a contract extension will be announced Saturday at the Show Me Center during what is expected to be the largest crowd for a Southeast home basketball game this season.

Southeast's second annual "Show-Me Sellout" promotion will feature the Redhawks' football team being honored during a ceremony at halftime of the 6 p.m. men's game.