Just an Update

[duffer]

I just don't think Saban would initiate any contact. It would have been from Saban's agent or attorney, etc.

 

[armadillo slim]

my personal choices would be:

1. jimbo--he has proven what he can do at FSU

2. either one of the harbaugh brothers--great academic focus and then stellar performance, jim maybe more than john, but either would be fine

3. gus

4. saban-- i know he'd be the splash hire of all splash hires, but i just can't see him staying for a long time. maybe that's not needed, but we need to build something now that will last, and saban is so damn prickly that i can see him getting sideways with folks pretty quickly.

i really hope mack steps aside and doesn't make any more waves.

 

[BigPhil76]

I just don't think Saban would initiate any contact. It would have been from Saban's agent or attorney, etc.

It is entirely plausible that NS has a connected friend or two that he could call about concerns he has with taking the UT job. When it comes to nut cutting time; it is not all done by the agent...

 

[Pancho Negro]

saban is so damn prickly that i can see him getting sideways with folks pretty quickly.

Which is EXACTLY what this program needs. Mack set up the "country club" atmosphere and it shows on the field. Saban is a 180 from that. That's the football we want to see and that's the leadership we need. I'm confident Saban can bring this, but so can Jimbo.

People can't seem to make up their minds. Do they want a mean, nasty football team that competes for championships thanks to their mean, nasty coach. Or do they want a "nice guy" who talks with a twang because he talks pretty and talking pretty and nice looks good for UT. Child please.

I also think Saban could set something up (culture wise, team, etc.) that would equal a smooth transition from him to the next coach.

 

[HenauderTidzov]

Which is EXACTLY what this program needs. Mack set up the "country club" atmosphere and it shows on the field. Saban is a 180 from that. That's the football we want to see and that's the leadership we need. I'm confident Saban can bring this, but so can Jimbo.
People can't seem to make up their minds. Do they want a mean, nasty football team that competes for championships thanks to their mean, nasty coach. Or do they want a "nice guy" who talks with a twang because he talks pretty and talking pretty and nice looks good for UT. Child please.

I also think Saban could set something up (culture wise, team, etc.) that would equal a smooth transition from him to the next coach.

Exactly. If we get Saban, I hope he lays down a foundation in the football program similar to what he did at LSU.

 

[doc longhorn]

Saban himself calling a cigar on Christmas eve?
Anything's possible, I suppose.

Lest you forget, and I know this for a fact, Saban is an old time friend and hunting buddy of one of the BMD's. It would be reasonable for him to call him rather than have his agent call.

Maybe we should, also, consider that what Saban does now is irrelevant. The University of Texas doesn't have to beg anyone and maybe that train has already left the station?

 

[whatthewhat]

Exactly. If we get Saban, I hope he lays down a foundation in the football program similar to what he did at LSU.

Geaux Tigers!

 

[PeteA422]

i just don't think saban would initiate any contact. It would have been from saban's agent or attorney, etc.

It is entirely plausible that NS has a connected friend or two that he could call about concerns he has with taking the UT job. When it comes to nut cutting time; it is not all done by the agent...

I agree with BigPhil, when it comes down to a major life decision, such as this would be for any of the coaches we have on any list, you don't just leave things up to your agent. IMHO, this would be an awesome sign, as it tells me all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Everything is in place and all NS has to do is sign on the dotted line. At this point, if there are still doubts, you don't have your agent contact someone. You pick up the phone and ask those final questions that you need answered before signing on the line. While its not the same, to me those phone calls would be the equivalent of looking a man in the eye, shaking his hand, and finalizing the deal. It's not something you do through an intermediary agent. Just my $.02

 

[armadillo slim]

Which is EXACTLY what this program needs. Mack set up the "country club" atmosphere and it shows on the field. Saban is a 180 from that. That's the football we want to see and that's the leadership we need. I'm confident Saban can bring this, but so can Jimbo.
People can't seem to make up their minds. Do they want a mean, nasty football team that competes for championships thanks to their mean, nasty coach. Or do they want a "nice guy" who talks with a twang because he talks pretty and talking pretty and nice looks good for UT. Child please.

I also think Saban could set something up (culture wise, team, etc.) that would equal a smooth transition from him to the next coach.

spare me the child, please comments. i expressed an opinion different than yours and that means our opinions differ, that's it. get over yourself. you don't have to have one or the other. fisher has proven that.

 

[Clan Fraser]

The big question: will Patterson acquiesce to Powers and select someone other than Saban?

 

[HookemHorns]

I love this site. Thanks for sharing

 

[joeywa]

I just don't think Saban would initiate any contact. It would have been from Saban's agent or attorney, etc.

It is entirely plausible that NS has a connected friend or two that he could call about concerns he has with taking the UT job. When it comes to nut cutting time; it is not all done by the agent...

I can see how this could happen.

Let's dumb this down to our level, (no offense anyone!)

You're looking for some thoughts on a vacation to Hawaii, where to go, where to stay. Do you call the Hawaii Travelers Bureau? Probably not, you post on HS or TOS asking for recs.

Same goes for best BBQ tips, new vehicle purchases, neighborhood recs, restaurant recs, jewelry purchases, vacation spots, golf course recs, new job recs, etc.

My point is, we all ask our buddies about insight on varied subjects. Why wouldn't Saban do the same and ask a buddy?

 

[doc longhorn]

The big question: will Patterson acquiesce to Powers and select someone other than Saban?

I said this almost verbatim over at IT.

Does the brand new employee (Patterson), knowing that Powell is adamantly against Saban, go against his boss's wishes and take him anyway? Even though Patterson has supposedly been given Carte Blanche in selecting the next HC, does he exercise that option?

I think we all know the answer, right?

 

[joeywa]

I said this almost verbatim over at IT.
Does the brand new employee (Patterson), knowing that Powell is adamantly against Saban, go against his boss's wishes and take him anyway? Even though Patterson has supposedly been given Carte Blanche in selecting the next HC, does he exercise that option?

I think we all know the answer, right?

In a normal world, yes. In the current Texas world, not-so-fast. I think Powers is not going to be around for very long, so that changes the scenario significantly.

 

[orangeflow]

I don't know about you guy but at times I feel like closing my computer and just wait for Jan. 6-10th...My emotions are like a ping-pong ball...back and forth,,,I can see how a Saban feels....does he really want to get envolved in this mess when our own UT people are running around in circles..

 

[doc longhorn]

In a normal world, yes. In the current Texas world, not-so-fast. I think Powers is not going to be around for very long, so that changes the scenario significantly.

Perhaps you are right, but this would also assume that someone other than Powers is whom Patterson directly answers to. It would be dicey enough if Powers were leaving tomorrow, but, in fact, no one really knows WHEN he will be leaving. All speculation of him leaving in a few months is just that - speculation.

 

[DizzG]

I said this almost verbatim over at IT.
Does the brand new employee (Patterson), knowing that Powell is adamantly against Saban, go against his boss's wishes and take him anyway? Even though Patterson has supposedly been given Carte Blanche in selecting the next HC, does he exercise that option?

I think we all know the answer, right?

A couple of things at play in this situation.

-Powers is on record saying very clearly and directly publicly this was Patterson's hire and he would not be involved in directing the process. That he wasn't an Athletics guy etc. He very publicly gave Patterson all the power.

-Powers is thought by many to be a short timer for how much longer he will be at Texas. Some have said he may retire in 6 months. If that is the case he isnt even going to be around much as president with the new coach as it is. Why would he care that much now at this point to pick a coach and veto Patterson and or the committee?

-Multiple insiders have said Powers has lost a ton of support internally from BMD and the like over what went down with the Mack situation, and Saban the first time. He's likely been neutered to some degree in terms of power to do much of anything to push off the BMD/Regents, selection comittee and Steve Patterson to somehow hire someone else they dont want

 

[badboy783]

Just putting it out there... but it's very possible that Saban phoned a friend and said, I don't care what you do or how you do it, even if you have to say I'm not coming, but make sure they keep this down until after my bowl game.

The info pattern is interesting. Info dump on Monday & Tuesday, opposite info dump the day after Christmas.

 

[doc longhorn]

I don't know about you guy but at times I feel like closing my computer and just wait for Jan. 6-10th...My emotions are like a ping-pong ball...back and forth,,,I can see how a Saban feels....does he really want to get envolved in this mess when our own UT people are running around in circles..

LOL - ain't it the truth?

I think things become clearer if you gain some altitude, above the internet and media speculation, and see what the known facts really are:

1. Patterson is our new AD

2. Mack has resigned

3. The Alamo Bowl is next and Mack is coaching it.

4. A search committee has been announced and they are....searching.

5. A new coach for UT is coming in the next couple of months.

6. We don't have a clue who the new coach is.

It's the speculation that keeps us churned up and we love it.

 

[JKW-Hook 'em]

I don't know about you guy but at times I feel like closing my computer and just wait for Jan. 6-10th...My emotions are like a ping-pong ball...back and forth,,,I can see how a Saban feels....does he really want to get envolved in this mess when our own UT people are running around in circles..

Good point, but I believe, and this is purely my opinion based on all that I've read and his (Saban's) actions to date, that his desire to get out of Alabama the state and/or football program is stronger than we may know or certainly understand.

Just comparing cities would seem to be a no brainer (I'm a native Austinite so clearly a bias here) combined with his ego to confirm he is and will be the best college coach ever (many think he is already there) by winning another national championship at a third school combined with a very nice pay raise and future lucrative oil/gas investments (again message board info) would seem to be enough incentive to ignore and/or tolerate a little in-house bickering.

The one thing that may convince him to throw all of this away is his fear that we (UT) do not have the ability to fully control Mack and keep him away from Nick's program and further mingling. Mack needs to disappear...for a few years at least.