🏈 SEC Coaching Search: Reports: Pruitt to Tennessee: Chad Morris to UArk

[50+yeartidefan]

Clearly a photoshop. He turned them down, too.

Thats a classic

 

[alagator]

Arkansas still holding out hope for Auburn’s Gus Malzahn

Even during the best of times, with an SEC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff attainable on Saturday, Auburn can’t manage to shed its penchant for dysfunction. On the field the past month, there’s been no better team in college football than the Tigers. They dominated a pair of No. 1-ranked teams and are poised for the school’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff with a win over Georgia on Saturday.

Only Auburn, with so much going right, could allow its dysfunctional soul to still shine so brightly. There’s a federal investigation that one of its recently fired basketball assistant coaches, Chuck Person, is in the thicket of. There’s a basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, who could be fired any day. And then there’s the magic question that always hovers over Auburn: Who is actually in charge? This time, it’s because athletic director Jay Jacobs resigned, although he hasn’t left yet. But really, even when he wasn’t on his way out, that question has always shrouded Auburn’s athletic department.

And, yes, all those are just backdrop issues to the larger anvil lingering over what should be a sun-kissed weekend for Auburn – a contract showdown. Arkansas is so eager to throw money at Auburn coach Gus Malzahn that they are holding up their entire search just for the opportunity. One source with knowledge of Arkansas’ thinking said the school is “ready to back up the Brinks truck” to lure Malzahn away from Auburn. Arkansas athletics has financial backing of the families around Tyson Foods and Walmart who’d like nothing better for their native son to return home.

Malzahn’s contract hasn’t been significantly adjusted – other than a year added on – since the eve of the SEC championship in 2013. Could there be a repeat of the timing in 2017? If not, and Auburn loses on Saturday, things will get really interesting. Only at Auburn could there be this level of drama on this big of a stage.

Texas A&M in pursuit of Jimbo Fisher, but will it happen?

Fisher won’t talk with anyone about going to Texas A&M until after Florida State plays Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday afternoon.

There’s been endless speculation about how much Texas A&M could pay Fisher, as Texas A&M athletic director Scott Woodward hasn’t been shy about the potential financial muscle available at A&M.

For Fisher, staying in Tallahassee would require a Brian Kelly-like staff reboot, similar to the overhaul the Notre Dame coach executed last off-season. That would involve potentially cleaning house on an aging and stagnant staff that isn’t exactly percolating with hot coaching candidates.

FSU did have three high-profile recruits de-commit on Wednesday, another sign pointing toward Fisher not sticking around.

But leaving may require thorny personal decisions, as the family dynamic of this is the unknown and personal part for Fisher.

The only sign that doesn’t point to Fisher leaving is his history of staying, as LSU called twice recently and there have been other opportunities to depart Tallahassee over the years. This time feels different. We’ll know after Saturday if it actually is different.

 

[planomateo]

He ain't kidding...

 

[TUSKtimes]

He ain't kidding...

The question is always, why do these ADs keep giving coaches these buyouts? In a few cases, like Orgeron at LSU, I got to believe it's pure stupidity. Most of the time I think it's desperation and leverage. Look at the catfight going on for these coaches. If Tennessee ever gets there hand on any brand name they will have to overpay and a huge buyout is a part of doing business.

I'm also thinking that super agent Sexton and those of his ilk, are the equal of the best HC union that could ever be. There are no secrets, negotiating is not going to be quiet, too much info is simply passed along to the next client as they compete against each other or start over. Sexton can play both sides against the middle to get max deals, including ridiculous buyouts.

 

[18Champs]

:rolf:

 

[TerryP]

The question is always, why do these ADs keep giving coaches these buyouts?

Do you find it a bit amusing when you think back about Saban's first contract with no buyout? How many did we see claim that's a red flag?

And here we are a decade later and the longest tenured coach in the SEC is ...

 

[TUSKtimes]

vol candidate number 10 has gone over like a lead balloon. It has reach Schiano bad in melt.

 

[TerryP]

One source with knowledge of Arkansas’ thinking said the school is “ready to back up the Brinks truck” to lure Malzahn away from Auburn.

I had one Auburn fan tell me about the monies Auburn has at its disposal if this turns into a bidding war. His evidence was "Look at Colonial Bank." Yeah, that one ended quickly. Then it was "Yella Wood, man!"

It didn't sit well with him when I pointed out ...

Yella Wood

versus ..

Walmart
Tyson Foods
JB Hunt
Jerry Jones
Murphy Oil

A lot look at UArk as "under privileged" when it comes to monetary donations. A lot don't look any farther than their own theories.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Do you find it a bit amusing when you think back about Saban's first contract with no buyout? How many did we see claim that's a red flag?

And here we are a decade later and the longest tenured coach in the SEC is ...

I just never felt like the university ever panicked with coach Saban, In fact, I think the Texas situation was our finest moment.

Personally, I kept telling every cajun that would listen, even in the beginning, that this marriage was the perfect storm, the rolling stones.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Nobody knows how Gus and his wife feel about returning to their home. Gus will have millions at either school. They say you can't go home again but that choice is up to the individual. AU has a much greater chance to be in the NC than The Hogs. We'll see. Gus has beaten 2 undefeated Saban teams in 5 years and that is strong. Only Huge Freeze is in that select crowd with Hugh's wins coming early in the season. Nick and Pruitt got schooled by Spain Park's high school former coach.

 

[TerryP]

Nick and Pruitt got schooled by Spain Park's high school former coach.

Did you just use a simile? On purpose?

 

[alagator]

In an interview this morning Spurrier suggests UT hire Tee Martin. Why a Vol fan would want Spurrier's opinion is a question for another day. It was Steve's contention that bringing Tee in would unite the fan base.

I've never valued Russ Mitchell's opinion but he's onto something here.

 

[gc90]

curiously JimMcwlain buyout is not that much compared to these.
considering he went to SECCG twice

 

[TerryP]

A SWING ...

... and a miss?

 

[alagator]

 

[TerryP]

We've all seen this time and time again. "Coach _____'s wife is in town looking at homes for sale." This may be the one time a tweet/post like that is actually true?

 

[TerryP]

Now UT moving to Sumlin? :shock:

 

[TUSKtimes]

Now UT moving to Sumlin? :shock:

Is he bringing Chief with him? Can't wait for this one to pass muster.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Jeff Tedford.....then again he might just be a Left Coast guy

 

[rick4bama]

What happen to the Purdue coach Brohm I thought he was already a done deal?