OT: How not to run off a coach

[Embrey]

As I watched the close of the LSU/ATM game this weekend, the Les Miles postgame interview and the subsequent "the rumors of Les' demise have been greatly exaggerated" press conference it occurred to me that the insurgent alumni that were wanting to can Miles had seen how Mack Brown had fought for his job and, if you believe some reports, insured that Nick Saban would not be the heir apparent.

Due to my desire to keep this post brief (mostly because I am unsure if this will pique others' interest as it does mine), I will ask the board: How do you run off a coach that is under contract?

We have seen the Texas model and now the LSU model. Hell, if you want to see the most successful (and I would argue the most underhanded) look at Texas Tech/Mike Leach scenario. If I have learned anything from these examples it is that a coach that has had success is quite hard to run off. On first thought I would say that the Tech model, where the head honcho et al take the PR hit, is the most successful way. Unfortunately, it seems that those trying to run the coach off want him to sign his own death warrant against his will WHILE they still want to be perceived as the good guys and maintain the high ground.

Obviously, I think this discussion applies to Strong with the obvious exception that he has had very little success at Texas. Without success, what explains the hesitancy of the powers that be to easily dispatch with coach Strong?

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Due to my desire to keep this post brief (mostly because I am unsure if this will pique others' interest as it does mine), I will ask the board: How do you run off a coach that is under contract?

You just fire his ass and eat the cost of his contract.

I don't know why every contract doesn't have the remaining years prorated based on the fired coach's next gig, but what do I know? That makes too much sense. Charlie Weis is still getting paid by ND and KU, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Embrey]

I agree JB. It just seems that so many people involved have the desire to pull the strings without being seen. Is that because they are political animals or because they don't want damage to their personal 'brand'?

 

[Embrey]

By the way, this is not intended as a 'Fire Strong' thread. I am fascinated by the machinations of the factions that want to impose their desire on the institution.

Jerry Jones has a hell of a lot of money but that does not qualify him as knowledgeable to make final football decisions. Why do we think donors will be any better than Jerry? If these people (BMDs) have conditions that go with their donations then they are not supporters of the school. They are using their money as leverage to gain access.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

If these people (BMDs) have conditions that go with their donations then they are not supporters of the school. They are using their money as leverage to gain access.

Hey, I'd want access and input into the decision-making process if I were Joe Jamail and Red McCombs. Can't say I blame 'em. That's why Patter$on pissed off a lot of those guys and is no longer at UT. He didn't seek or value their opinions.

 

[DMAC]

By the way, this is not intended as a 'Fire Strong' thread. I am fascinated by the machinations of the factions that want to impose their desire on the institution.

Jerry Jones has a hell of a lot of money but that does not qualify him as knowledgeable to make final football decisions. Why do we think donors will be any better than Jerry? If these people (BMDs) have conditions that go with their donations then they are not supporters of the school. They are using their money as leverage to gain access.

Pretty much but it will continue as long BMD are writing checks.

 

[Embrey]

I understand everything you said and I know that is the way it is. If the new AD wanted to make a splash he would roll back the season ticket prices. I heard it lauded in a post that he will not raise prices again. The alternate headline could be New AD approves of Patterson's unpopular ticket price hike. So much PR that it makes me sick.

 

[UT1983]

BMD = power and influence.  Remember the Golden Rule: "He who has the gold......makes the rules."

 

[Embrey]

I agree with all the opinions about the Golden Rule etc. I am not naively wishing it away. I guess I wonder more than anything else why we all opine and concern ourselves about the team. We should be sizing up the acumen of our BMDs and throwing our support on the one(s) that seem to have the most coherent concepts of how to make UT competetive on a national stage again.

Like, what is McCombs' IQ?

Does Jamail have any tendencies towards offensive/defensive minded head coaches.

Etc

We are asking the wrong questions of the wrong people because we all agree our vote does not matter.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I agree with all the opinions about the Golden Rule etc. I am not naively wishing it away. I guess I wonder more than anything else why we all opine and concern ourselves about the team. We should be sizing up the acumen of our BMDs and throwing our support on the one(s) that seem to have the most coherent concepts of how to make UT competetive on a national stage again.

Like, what is McCombs' IQ?

Does Jamail have any tendencies towards offensive/defensive minded head coaches.

Etc

We are asking the wrong questions of the wrong people because we all agree our vote does not matter.

What is McCombs' IQ?

I'd guess not many dumb guys have the business acumen that he's got. But, that's pure conjecture. 

 

[Embrey]

Right. The hypothetical question about McCombs was arbitrary and in no way meant to be any sort of jab. The point was why are fans fussing over stats and opinions about players and/or coaches when the ultimate decision makers are the BMDs? We should be arguing over their advanced stats.

It's the same in politics. We should be vetting the Super PACs instead of the candidates in the political realm.

 

[Coot]

The problem for the BMD's may be when the coach has popular fan support.  That may be what happened with the Les Miles "firing".  He won the A&M game and the fans gave him a huge amount of support in the stadium.  At that point, it may have cost too much political capital to fire him.  I guess they didn't expect him to win that game, otherwise, why would they have gone through that big build up only not to follow through.

I don't think Strong can be easily fired after only 2 years because it will be hard to explain financially ($15 million) and in terms being perceived by the media and many fans as not allowing him enough time to turn it around.  Red McCombs' very public initial resistance to his hiring may have caused a bit of a backlash against the BMD's as well, requiring more delicacy in any possible future firing if it is not more supported by the majority of the fans.  And like Les Miles, if Strong does come up with some inspiring wins next year, it will be even harder to fire him then.

 

[Embrey]

BMDs are apparently great businessmen, attorneys, etc but the more you watch the more you realize that these captains of industry are generally dumbasses like the rest of us when it comes to manipulating the media and controlling the narrative. They leak stories that backfire. They make comments that have been construed, correctly or not, as proof of their racial views. I would submit they are as bad at being a BMD as they are good at whatever their 'day job' was/is.