🏈 Saban and other high dollar coaches potentially off the table for Texas

[Old Timer from TX]

This news might be of interest to Alabama fans who have been following this saga. Bear with me. It's a bit lengthy, but there are potential major ramifications including some coaching moves. Some new developments in the past 48 hours show that Texas may be very much hampered in their ability to get the Texas Board of Regents to approve a high dollar coach (Saban, Harbaugh, etc) AND a high dollar buyout of the old coach (Mack Brown) because of ongoing legal negotiations revolving around Mack's contract and buyout negotiations. I have heard rumblings, but I am only stating a speculative viewpoint. Keep that in mind please.

I made a post about two weeks ago about a possible breach of contract by Texas officials, and Mack's lawyer using that as leverage in buyout negotiations. See here:
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/showthread.php?270458-Mack-Brown-digging-his-heels-in-at-Texas

There has been a recent development that is affecting Texas' ability to get a big name coach and it is highly related to the potential contractual violation, aka "breach", I wrote about on the first two pages of the thread linked above. I thought you guys might find this interesting because it may effectively put Saban off the table for Texas, and also other high dollar coaches as well.

Primer here, Austin American Statesman article:
http://www.statesman.com/news/sport...r-buyout-package-from-texas/ncWRy/#cmComments


Texas Board of Regents' has final approval in the salary amount of any staff at the University of Texas. While technically, the Athletic Director can make the hire of any coach, it is the Texas Board of Regents that approves the dollar amount. They collectively hold the keys to the bank vault.


Here is the issue, and what is at stake. A new head coach will likely have an approval even maybe a range pre-approval, of the amount that the University is willing to pay. It's like buying a house. How much are you pre-approved and what can you pay? Certainly, the new Texas AD Steve Patterson, has an idea of what the University is willing to pay for certain houses (i.e. Coaches). However, what happens when the amount that you can spend on a house is severely limited because the old house is not fully sold? In this case, what happens when the old coach's buyout is significantly higher than earlier anticipated? Well, it would severely affect what house, or in this case - new head coach, you could effectively afford to buy. Sounds crazy coming from a school that has truckloads of cash, but this is a very real scenario.


... Here comes the bad news for Texas fans, and the good news for Alabama fans. The good thing for Texas is that Mack's buyout is a relatively paltry $500k a year for the next 7 years. That's only about $3.5 million. However, local news reports in Austin state that Mack and his attorney, Joe Jamail, want a bigger buyout that what Texas owes in the contract? There is ONlY one way for Mack to get more money that what he is contractually entitled too. And that is IF Texas violated, or "breached", Mack's contract in some way. If Texas did breach the contract, Mack would be legally entitled to the entire amount of the contract. That is, $5.5 million and perks x 7 years. This means that if there is a contract breach from Texas, Mack would be owed in excess of $40 million dollars!


So, did Texas breach Mack's contract. Oh gee. I don't know. Why don't we ask those morons serving on the Texas Board of Regents who decided it would be ok to make direct contact with Saban's agent? Dear god. How stupid does somebody have to be. Has Tom Hicks ever hears of what it means for "feelers" to go out to coaches to gauge interest. It's called, get someone else to make the call, not use your own phone and email address to do the biz. Local media in Austin has reported in the past 48hrs that Mack wants a much bigger buyout. The buyout could effect greatly the amount Regents would approve for the next hire. It would behoove Alabama and San Francisco 49ers fans to hope for the biggest buoy out attainable for Mack as this would limit the discretionary amount that Texas is willing to spend on the next coach.

 

[bamafan4ever]

The last 3 paragraphs of this post read like a fiction. Saban has never been on your table. Jim Harbaugh? You guys are truly full of yourselves. You'll be lucky to get someone as good as Art Briles in my opinion.

 

[Bamabww]

Yeah, this is getting really old. Nick Saban will never be your coach. Accept it and move on please.

 

[JoshB]

I'm really trying hard not to just flat out start calling you names like a child but you're making it very, very difficult...

Would you please go annoy another fanbase with your delusions?

 

[Splittine]

 

[TerryP]

(OK, grammar police uniform donned.)

"This news might be of interest to Alabama fans who have been following this saga."

There are Bama fans following this story. Saga? That would mean it's a long story of historic achievement. Achieved. Hrrmm.

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Bobby Burton (247Sports TX site) says the search is narrowed down to two candidates: Fisher and Briles.

He also said, "Horns247 has learned that we can eliminate one name from a list of prospective coaches – Auburn's Gus Malzahn. While no specific reason was given, I was told that Malzahn is not going to be the next Texas coach. Whether it's his own lack of interest or that of Texas is unclear. But I was told that Malzahn would not be the next Texas coach." (take note of the italics here for later reference.)

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Orangebloods "Hot Board"

Coaching hot board Leading Candidates

Jimbo Fisher BIO
Florida State Head Coach 2010-present
Medium
Bottom line: He could be on the brink of winning a national championship at Florida State, but there has been talk that Fisher would be willing to listen if the right opportunity came along.
12/24 update - Fisher's name picking up steam, has yet to sign extension.

Gus Malzahn BIO
Auburn Head Coach 2013-present
Medium
Bottom line: One of the hottest coaching names in the country; it's hard to argue with his results.
12/24 update - Believed to be one of UT's top targets.

Art Briles BIO
Baylor Head Coach 2008-present
Medium
Bottom line: Would bring an exciting offense to Austin.
12/24 update - Another name to watch; Baylor approves more upgrades for facilities.

Nick Saban BIO
Alabama Head Coach 2007-present
Medium
Bottom line: There's some thought that Texas might try to make another run but Saban made strong comments about staying at 'Bama.
12/24 update - Rumors of Texas' renewed interest, but still hurdles that would need to be crossed.

Jim Mora BIO
UCLA Head Coach 2012-present
Medium
Bottom line: Has done a terrific job of turning UCLA around, but he's a West Coast guy and may not want to leave.

12/17 update - Mora tells Los Angeles radio he wants to stay in UCLA.
12/24 update - Mora's name could be atop the "second tier" of coaches Texas is watching.

Notice the italics with Saban here.

Now, going back to Gus...if you haven't put it together yet, it's from the Texas lexicon: hurdle means lack of interest from said party.

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IMO, a few of these sites have stuck their neck out so, so far they HAVE to continue floating names that they are well aware of the fact there's no chance that individual is going to accept the job.

What's sad is they still have members believing.

 

[bama alum]

Sir, I think there are chain smokers who have an easier time letting go than do you.

 

[planomateo]

Kinda funny Mack wants more money now, hell he's been paid a million dollars for each of his L's over the last 4 years (20 losses in 4 years, let that sink in for a second). Still confused how and why the BOR gave him an extension a few years ago.

That being said, Tom Hicks has a proven track record of making some pretty bad decisions when it comes to sports, specifically owning teams (Rangers, Stars, and Liverpool FC).

 

[It Takes Eleven]

So much for Mack's "leaving with class".

The face saving within the Texas camp is on par with North Korea. At least that's what I'm hearing on message boards...

RTR,

Tim

 

[Old Timer from TX]

Bobby Burton (247Sports TX site) says the search is narrowed down to two candidates: Fisher and Briles.

He also said, "Horns247 has learned that we can eliminate one name from a list of prospective coaches – Auburn's Gus Malzahn. While no specific reason was given, I was told that Malzahn is not going to be the next Texas coach. Whether it's his own lack of interest or that of Texas is unclear. But I was told that Malzahn would not be the next Texas coach." (take note of the italics here for later reference.)

What's sad is they still have members believing.

I follow Longhorn recruiting and Burton is a decent reporter on up-and-coming recruits, but I wouldn't put much stock into what he says about coaching hires or resignations as it's pretty clear that some of his sources are just mouthpieces for the Texas Athletic Dept.

Here is what Burton had to say only hours before Mack announced his resignation:
"BREAKING: Source tells me that Mack Brown, following mtg w school prez and AD, will remain coach of the Longhorns.

— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton247) December 14, 2013"

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Insanity : doing the same thing over & over again expecting different results.

:smiley-confused-pur

 

[MissingRing]

You need a new hobby.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I am gonna use emoticons to say what I think of this thread in general

:smiley-confused-pur:smiley-confused-pur:smiley-confused-pur anic:anic: :blah_1_many2::blah_1_many2: :suspect::suspect: :fight::deadhorse::deadhorse: :c004::c004::stick::stick::stick: :chat_toilet: :bird:

 

[TerryP]

I follow Longhorn recruiting and Burton is a decent reporter on up-and-coming recruits, but I wouldn't put much stock into what he says about coaching hires or resignations as it's pretty clear that some of his sources are just mouthpieces for the Texas Athletic Dept.

Here is what Burton had to say only hours before Mack announced his resignation:
"BREAKING: Source tells me that Mack Brown, following mtg w school prez and AD, will remain coach of the Longhorns.

— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton247) December 14, 2013"

Here's another case where something has been taken and completely misconstrued. Now, I'm assuming you copied and pasted that from somewhere other than twitter: likely a message forum?

A few hours would be true IF the date of what you copied and pasted were true. You see, I've already come across this case of people trying to rewrite history. The actual tweet was from a day earlier.

<iframe style="width: 1px; height: 0px; border: medium none; position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" allowtransparency="true" id="twitter-widget-0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

BREAKING: Source tells me that Mack Brown, following mtg w school prez and AD, will remain coach of the Longhorns.
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton247) December 14, 2013​

<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


You know what's funny to me? His source very well could have been the school's AD, or the school Pres., or the BOR for that matter. Hell, Mack was told he was being retained. '

You say you follow recruiting. On the 14th Mack is holding a breakfast for recruits. Your new AD, Patterson, even stops by the breakfast to "glad hand" those recruits. Heck, those two even met for several hours that Saturday. How do you say you follow recruiting when it's an integral part of this story and yet you're missing out on this part?

Then the Pres. pulls his support, calls Patterson and sends him to do "the deed?"<iframe style="display: none;" allowtransparency="true" id="rufous-sandbox" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> Here's a case where it was within hours.

Do you still think my assertion it's a dumpster fire is harsh?

 

[Old Timer from TX]

Kinda funny Mack wants more money now, hell he's been paid a million dollars for each of his L's over the last 4 years (20 losses in 4 years, let that sink in for a second). Still confused how and why the BOR gave him an extension a few years ago.


That being said, Tom Hicks has a proven track record of making some pretty bad decisions when it comes to sports, specifically owning teams (Rangers, Stars, and Liverpool FC).

A lot of fans in Texas were also questioning and criticizing the raise in Mack's salary a couple years ago when it was clear the program was in decline and he didn't deserve a raise.


In Texas, the law is that any public official's contract, such as Mack Brown's, is subject to open records request. Those contracts are public information. The Austin American Statesman has done freedom of information records request and has published Mack's contract. It is available via PDF here:
http://www.statesman.com/documents/2013/dec/26/mack-browns-contract-ut/

if you notice in the contract, Mack's buyout, if he resigns is a paltry $500k and the most he can negotiate is $1.3 million. His attorney, Joe Jamail, is trying to get more than that range and is using Hick's improper contact of Saban as leverage negotiating this buyout. Jamail thinks that Mack's contract has been violated such that the University of Texas is liable for the full amount of the contract, not just the buyout range. Jamail thinks Mack is owed his salary and perks ($5.5 million plus a tad x 7 years). That would be in excess of $40 million dollars. Not exactly chump change. This would severely impact the amount the Board of Regents could plan to spend on the next coaching hire. A compromise might be for Texas to hire a slightly lesser known coach with built-in incentives later that were heavily performance based.

And yes, Tom Hicks is a complete idiot. What moron uses his own phone and UT associated email address to contact coaches? You don't do that when you are a University system Regent. You get a burner phone and fake email, or better yet you get someone else (friend, relative, whatever) to do the "gauging interest in a possible job opening" phone call. Now, with the discovery of the email contact, Mack and his lawyer really have Bevo by the balls. That would be good for Alabama fans though since it means the Texas Board of Regents is less likely to approve a higher salary amount to get a new coach if Mack still has his lips on the Texas pot of gold.

 

[Old Timer from TX]

Here's another case where something has been taken and completely misconstrued. Now, I'm assuming you copied and pasted that from somewhere other than twitter: likely a message forum?

A few hours would be true IF the date of what you copied and pasted were true. You see, I've already come across this case of people trying to rewrite history. The actual tweet was from a day earlier.

<iframe style="width: 1px; height: 0px; border: medium none; position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" allowtransparency="true" id="twitter-widget-0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

BREAKING: Source tells me that Mack Brown, following mtg w school prez and AD, will remain coach of the Longhorns.
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton247) December 14, 2013​

<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


You know what's funny to me? His source very well could have been the school's AD, or the school Pres., or the BOR for that matter. Hell, Mack was told he was being retained. '

You say you follow recruiting. On the 14th Mack is holding a breakfast for recruits. Your new AD, Patterson, even stops by the breakfast to "glad hand" those recruits. Heck, those two even met for several hours that Saturday. How do you say you follow recruiting when it's an integral part of this story and yet you're missing out on this part?

Then the Pres. pulls his support, calls Patterson and sends him to do "the deed?"<iframe style="display: none;" allowtransparency="true" id="rufous-sandbox" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> Here's a case where it was within hours.

Do you still think my assertion it's a dumpster fire is harsh?

Burton did, indeed, post that tweet on December 14. Mack held a breakfast and spoke to recruits the morning of Dec 14 and later that evening that Texas confirmed Mack's resignation.

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

:icon_rolleyes:

This troll is a barner. I'm calling it. That or he's kin to Crimson Crazy. Maybe it is Crimson Crazy :shock:?

Really wished he's just go watch Dallas re-runs or whatever they do in Steerville and quit coming around thinking they know our coach. I know some of you admins and mods are getting a kick out of it but this dribble is getting old.

Texas, with all due respect we don't care what Texas does. It has zero bearing on Alabama. We are not Texas A&M so your overshadowing, yet typical Texas sized ego is not needed here. If you want to ride the coat tails of the Tide you're doing it wrong. Just sayin'

 

[planomateo]

A lot of fans in Texas were also questioning and criticizing the raise in Mack's salary a couple years ago when it was clear the program was in decline and he didn't deserve a raise.


In Texas, the law is that any public official's contract, such as Mack Brown's, is subject to open records request. Those contracts are public information. The Austin American Statesman has done freedom of information records request and has published Mack's contract. It is available via PDF here:
http://www.statesman.com/documents/2013/dec/26/mack-browns-contract-ut/

if you notice in the contract, Mack's buyout, if he resigns is a paltry $500k and the most he can negotiate is $1.3 million. His attorney, Joe Jamail, is trying to get more than that range and is using Hick's improper contact of Saban as leverage negotiating this buyout. Jamail thinks that Mack's contract has been violated such that the University of Texas is liable for the full amount of the contract, not just the buyout range. Jamail thinks Mack is owed his salary and perks ($5.5 million plus a tad x 7 years). That would be in excess of $40 million dollars. Not exactly chump change. This would severely impact the amount the Board of Regents could plan to spend on the next coaching hire. A compromise might be for Texas to hire a slightly lesser known coach with built-in incentives later that were heavily performance based.

And yes, Tom Hicks is a complete idiot. What moron uses his own phone and UT associated email address to contact coaches? You don't do that when you are a University system Regent. You get a burner phone and fake email, or better yet you get someone else (friend, relative, whatever) to do the "gauging interest in a possible job opening" phone call. Now, with the discovery of the email contact, Mack and his lawyer really have Bevo by the balls. That would be good for Alabama fans though since it means the Texas Board of Regents is less likely to approve a higher salary amount to get a new coach if Mack still has his lips on the Texas pot of gold.

I don't recall him getting a raise, but an extension out to 2020.

One thing that sticks out to me immediately on Mack's contract, its a short one at 9 pages.

Also, check out the contract, if terminated, he gets $3.5m paid out in 5 years (@ $700k per year), not 7 years (@ $500k per year) like you suggested originally (page 7 of the contract you linked).

The good thing for Texas is that Mack's buyout is a relatively paltry $500k a year for the next 7 years. That's only about $3.5 million.

 

[Old Timer from TX]

I don't recall him getting a raise, but an extension out to 2020.

One thing that sticks out to me immediately on Mack's contract, its a short one at 9 pages.

Also, check out the contract, if terminated, he gets $3.5m paid out in 5 years (@ $700k per year), not 7 years (@ $500k per year) like you suggested originally (page 7 of the contract you linked).

You're right. The $3.5 million is paid out in 5 years. However, if I am not mistaken that figure only applies if Mack is fired, not if he resigns. His current contract goes until 2020, so 7 more years. Mack hasn't been fired, even though it's clear that this was very much a forced resignation. I am hearing some rumblings over here in Austin, and I preface this by saying it might be nothing so don't quote me of this... I am hearing that Mack's attorney is telling the Texas AD that Texas Regents have violated the contract, or something like that, and that Mack is entitled to the entire duration of his contract. That's a crapload of money. Sum total is in excess of $40 million. We are talking the $5.5M salary and perks x 7 years (payments till 2020). This is probably just a negotiating ploy for the ongoing buyout negotiations.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

:icon_rolleyes:

This troll is a barner. I'm calling it. That or he's kin to Crimson Crazy. Maybe it is Crimson Crazy :shock:?

Really wished he's just go watch Dallas re-runs or whatever they do in Steerville and quit coming around thinking they know our coach. I know some of you admins and mods are getting a kick out of it but this dribble is getting old.

Texas, with all due respect we don't care what Texas does. It has zero bearing on Alabama. We are not Texas A&M so your overshadowing, yet typical Texas sized ego is not needed here. If you want to ride the coat tails of the Tide you're doing it wrong. Just sayin'

CC would have wigged out on his sixth post.