np_husker
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aTm and Nebraska are in the same boat. Also, interesting comment about Pelini...
By Kirk Bohls
AMERICAN STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The season's worst-kept secret is now a little less secret.
Dennis Franchione probably has two more Texas A&M football games to coach. Most think that's two too many.
If Bill Byrne were as smart as I know he is, that number would be none.
But the Aggies athletic director painted himself into a corner when he promised to evaluate Fran at the end of the season and doesn't want to go back on his word. That's why no athletic director should utter those well-meaning but empty statements before November. ADs should evaluate their coaches every single day of the year and act in the best long-term interests of the program whenever they have to.
Besides, no head coach deserves to dangle in the wind. Assistant coaches, who make a smidgen of what their bosses take home, could use the extra time to find their next place of employment. ADs don't have to sneak around and use unofficial parties to gauge the interest level of prospective head coaches who would never dare consider replacing a sitting head coach (cough, cough, Bobby Petrino) unless, of course, it meant more money.
Making a change quickly, decisively is just more ethical and more honest. And being up-front with committed recruits suggests strong integrity as well.
As is the custom at this time of the year, media outlets often jump the gun. Various outlets from ESPN to CBS Sports on Monday reported the deal was already done, but it appears those news reports were premature. A&M denied them.
Of course, they're only delaying the inevitable.
That said, Byrne should cut the cord with the failed A&M coach sooner rather than later and, sources close to the school say, is taking steps to do just that. One source said Byrne and A&M interim President Ed Davis met with Fran for almost an hour in a closed-door meeting, but school officials said there is nothing to report.
The entire process is almost assuredly in the hands of lawyers now.
The bet here is the buyout will be between $2 million and $6.5 million, something short of the $8 million Fran is owed under his contract. And the guess is nothing will be formally announced until the week of the finale against Texas.
The size of the buyout will be significant because it can directly impact the amount of money that A&M can spend on Fran's successor. A&M, one insider said, is not as well off as some believe.
Many of us think Byrne has targeted Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, an Aggies defensive coordinator for one season in 1994, but Tuberville's $6 million pricetag could preclude a deal. There's even a theory that should Louisiana State's Les Miles bolt to Michigan if Lloyd Carr steps down, Tuberville would prefer the LSU job over A&M. Big shock.
Tuberville would be an excellent choice and a perfect fit. Experienced. Knows the territory. Coached a perfect 13-0 team. Works well with the media. Doesn't have a private VIP newsletter. Throws the ball some. Loves defense.
But if Tuberville's not the man, who is?
Cal's Jeff Tedford's a poor fit. Favorite son Gary Kubiak is comfortably employed — for the time being — with the Houston Texans. LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's emotional, but doesn't like recruiting and isn't very media-friendly. Let Nebraska make that mistake.
Steve Spurrier almost certainly wouldn't come because of his strong SEC ties, but there are a few nice golf courses in this state and the Ol' Ball Coach would love to match wits with buddy Bob Stoops and rival Mack Brown on an annual basis. Byrne should wave $5 million under Spurrier's visor and make him turn it down.
First-year North Carolina coach Butch Davis will attract interest, maybe from Nebraska as well as A&M along with Arkansas if a change is made there. He's certainly proven and has spent time in the state.
Byrne's track record is distinctive. He loves hiring up-and-comers like Billy Gillispie and Rob Childress, but basketball and baseball ain't football. Maybe he'll stick with that method and pluck a Will Muschamp off Tuberville's staff or a Charlie Strong or Dan Mullen off Urban Meyer's family tree at Florida.
Boise State's Chris Petersen has opened eyes since his thrilling upset of Oklahoma in last year's Fiesta Bowl, and he could be on the short list of UCLA if Karl Dorrell doesn't survive. Maybe Byrne will kick his tires.
Same goes for Mike Sherman, the Texans' offensive coordinator and a former Aggie assistant for seven seasons. Next month, he'll turn 53, the same age as Tuberville.
Byrne probably needs to think proven. After five years of mediocrity under Fran, who was hired by A&M a few days before Byrne was, he needs to get this one right because the Aggies are lagging behind the rest in the Big 12. It's too bad he has to wait two games.
By Kirk Bohls
AMERICAN STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The season's worst-kept secret is now a little less secret.
Dennis Franchione probably has two more Texas A&M football games to coach. Most think that's two too many.
If Bill Byrne were as smart as I know he is, that number would be none.
But the Aggies athletic director painted himself into a corner when he promised to evaluate Fran at the end of the season and doesn't want to go back on his word. That's why no athletic director should utter those well-meaning but empty statements before November. ADs should evaluate their coaches every single day of the year and act in the best long-term interests of the program whenever they have to.
Besides, no head coach deserves to dangle in the wind. Assistant coaches, who make a smidgen of what their bosses take home, could use the extra time to find their next place of employment. ADs don't have to sneak around and use unofficial parties to gauge the interest level of prospective head coaches who would never dare consider replacing a sitting head coach (cough, cough, Bobby Petrino) unless, of course, it meant more money.
Making a change quickly, decisively is just more ethical and more honest. And being up-front with committed recruits suggests strong integrity as well.
As is the custom at this time of the year, media outlets often jump the gun. Various outlets from ESPN to CBS Sports on Monday reported the deal was already done, but it appears those news reports were premature. A&M denied them.
Of course, they're only delaying the inevitable.
That said, Byrne should cut the cord with the failed A&M coach sooner rather than later and, sources close to the school say, is taking steps to do just that. One source said Byrne and A&M interim President Ed Davis met with Fran for almost an hour in a closed-door meeting, but school officials said there is nothing to report.
The entire process is almost assuredly in the hands of lawyers now.
The bet here is the buyout will be between $2 million and $6.5 million, something short of the $8 million Fran is owed under his contract. And the guess is nothing will be formally announced until the week of the finale against Texas.
The size of the buyout will be significant because it can directly impact the amount of money that A&M can spend on Fran's successor. A&M, one insider said, is not as well off as some believe.
Many of us think Byrne has targeted Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, an Aggies defensive coordinator for one season in 1994, but Tuberville's $6 million pricetag could preclude a deal. There's even a theory that should Louisiana State's Les Miles bolt to Michigan if Lloyd Carr steps down, Tuberville would prefer the LSU job over A&M. Big shock.
Tuberville would be an excellent choice and a perfect fit. Experienced. Knows the territory. Coached a perfect 13-0 team. Works well with the media. Doesn't have a private VIP newsletter. Throws the ball some. Loves defense.
But if Tuberville's not the man, who is?
Cal's Jeff Tedford's a poor fit. Favorite son Gary Kubiak is comfortably employed — for the time being — with the Houston Texans. LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's emotional, but doesn't like recruiting and isn't very media-friendly. Let Nebraska make that mistake.
Steve Spurrier almost certainly wouldn't come because of his strong SEC ties, but there are a few nice golf courses in this state and the Ol' Ball Coach would love to match wits with buddy Bob Stoops and rival Mack Brown on an annual basis. Byrne should wave $5 million under Spurrier's visor and make him turn it down.
First-year North Carolina coach Butch Davis will attract interest, maybe from Nebraska as well as A&M along with Arkansas if a change is made there. He's certainly proven and has spent time in the state.
Byrne's track record is distinctive. He loves hiring up-and-comers like Billy Gillispie and Rob Childress, but basketball and baseball ain't football. Maybe he'll stick with that method and pluck a Will Muschamp off Tuberville's staff or a Charlie Strong or Dan Mullen off Urban Meyer's family tree at Florida.
Boise State's Chris Petersen has opened eyes since his thrilling upset of Oklahoma in last year's Fiesta Bowl, and he could be on the short list of UCLA if Karl Dorrell doesn't survive. Maybe Byrne will kick his tires.
Same goes for Mike Sherman, the Texans' offensive coordinator and a former Aggie assistant for seven seasons. Next month, he'll turn 53, the same age as Tuberville.
Byrne probably needs to think proven. After five years of mediocrity under Fran, who was hired by A&M a few days before Byrne was, he needs to get this one right because the Aggies are lagging behind the rest in the Big 12. It's too bad he has to wait two games.
