October 16, 2007
Aggies buying out Coach Fran's contract?
There is an awful lot of talk that Texas A&M is moving to buy out Dennis Franchione's contract and will allow the embattled head coach to finish out the 2007 season with the Aggies.
According to reports being discussed on Chuck Coopersteins radio show, the university is currently in negotiations with Coach Fran's representative to reach a settlement that may be less than the $141,667.00 for each month remaining on his contract, in light of the recent email scandal.
In listening to the rumors and scuttlebutt, I can only tell you that the people who are privy to this information seem very convinced that something will go down as this week or by the end of the weekend.
I know that many (most?) of the Aggies fans have given up on Coach Fran - and I can understand the sentiment. Texas A&M introduced Fran as the guy who was going to get the Aggies into the Big XII title picture year-in and year-out. To date, that hasn't happened.
However, from my perspective, a contract buyout makes zero sense. One has to presume -- worst case scenario -- that A&M may have to spend as much as $5.8 million dollars just to say goodbye to Coach Fran.
Now, there may be room to reduce/eliminate the buyout, but that will be an issue for the lawyers to determine. To date, we know that A&M's legal beagles have already studied Fran's contract to see if he violated his employment agreement. Given the current mood in College Station, you have to presume that if the Aggies could have walked away from Coach Franchione scott-free, they would have done so already.
Which brings us back to the $5.8 million dollar buyout scenario. It is -- in a word -- ludicrous. If I could expand on my thoughts - absolutely ludicrous.
The best case scenario would be for Coach Fran to start producing on the field and quiet the storm. That would take the heat off Fran, off the Regents to pull the trigger, and off the university coffers for the buyout and (yet another) staff transition.
Here's my two-cents.... A&M would be well advised to do the prudent thing - wait it out.
Waiting for the end of the season costs nothing. (And under the terms of Fran's buyout, it actually SAVES the university money.) You cannot negotiate with current coaches right now, so why the rush? Is there any legitimate reason not to wait?
If Fran can bring this team to the finish line, then the Aggie nation will buy the champagne & championship t-shirts -- email scandal be damned. Or, If the Aggies don't have a reasonable shot at hoisting the trophy at the end of the season, well... burn that bridge when you get there.
Comments:
FanoftheGame said:
posted on October 18, 2007 9:38 AM — 198.211.223.194 — link — abuse?
I can't see the Ags hiring Leach away from Tech. Allthough I know they are probably tired of losing to his Red Raiders, I can't see this happening. I really think Bill Byrne is going to go East to find his next coach for the Aggies. Tuberville would probably be their first choice, but would Tommy really want to leave Auburn? If enough money can lure him to College Station then Bill and the Board of Regents may be willing to spend big in this case. If not Tommy, then the Ags may go after someone like Jim Leavitt or Paul Johnson. This would be cheaper than going after Tuberville and it may provide the opportunity that Leavitt or Johnson is looking for.
In any event, that's my short list of coaches that I think the Ags will be considering to replace Francione.40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on October 19, 2007 3:44 AM — 192.91.75.30 — link — abuse?
said:
I just don't see Leavitt leaving USF or Tuberville taking a step down in the coaching ladder. How bout Nutt? Hey AgRyan don't expect the tickets and donations to go down, because if there is one thing i know u aggies are a persistent bunch. Kyle is always packed, see you at Thanksgiving. Hook Em Horns!
taggy80 said:
posted on October 19, 2007 8:22 AM — 158.35.225.227 — link — abuse?
Word is that the buyout is now virtually a done deal. The amount I have heard is 2.3 Million. Agryan is correct the Aggies want a big name, and the fact that Kyle is always packed never hurts. Money is no longer an object - if the buyout figure is correct we have about 6 million to play with. Leach is still in the running , and don't count out Briles at UH - another interesting hire that can recruit Texas.
taggy80 said:
posted on October 19, 2007 8:23 AM — 158.35.225.227 — link — abuse?
Word is that the buyout is now virtually a done deal. The amount I have heard is 2.3 Million. Agryan is correct the Aggies want a big name, and the fact that Kyle is always packed never hurts. Money is no longer an object - if the buyout figure is correct we have about 6 million to play with. Leach is still in the running , and don't count out Briles at UH - another interesting hire that can recruit Texas.
taggy80 said:
posted on October 19, 2007 8:25 AM — 158.35.225.227 — link — abuse?
Word is that the buyout is now virtually a done deal. The amount I have heard is 2.3 Million. Agryan is correct the Aggies want a big name, and the fact that Kyle is always packed never hurts. Money is no longer an object - if the buyout figure is correct we have about 6 million to play with. Leach is still in the running , and don't count out Briles at UH - another interesting hire that can recruit Texas.
Brushpile Bill said:
posted on October 19, 2007 1:07 PM — 70.138.228.38 — link — abuse?
Does anyone really believe that the AD didn't know about the newsletter till after the Miami game? They are using it as a way to manage the buyout expense down having already decided to change coaches after the year.
Jon Gruden for Aggies said:
posted on October 19, 2007 5:15 PM — 64.90.49.214 — link — abuse?
Why settle for anything less than Jon Gruden - If there ever was a coach that was made for college football, then it is Jon Gruden. Still only 44 years old, Gruden still has a passion for the game that is not equaled by anyone we know, college or pro. His Super Bowl win was in 2002, so things might be getting stale in Tampa, and what a better combination of people than Jon Gruden and the Aggies. He would eat up the traditions that make A&M the great school that it is, and there would be no one tougher on the campus once he arrived in College Station.
TampaGator said:
posted on October 19, 2007 5:41 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
JG/#11:
You can have him...in fact, please take him!
He's over rated--and egotistical, dishonest (very), and has a napoleonic complex from hell;
the players (other than Jeff Garcia) don't like him, they don't trust him, and they don't get motivated to play for him (due to the trust issue). (The D will still run through brick walls for Monte Kiffin, but don't confuse that with motivation for playing for Chuckie)....hell, we'll even throw in Bruce Allen for free!
Go Bucs, &
GO GATORS!!
taggy80 said:
posted on October 22, 2007 12:37 PM — 158.35.225.230 — link — abuse?
Brushpile Bill "Does anyone really believe that the AD didn't know about the newsletter till after the Miami game? They are using it as a way to manage the buyout expense down having already decided to change coaches after the year."
A little late with that one fella - I am assuming that you don't have a problem with the Aggies saving some coins to spend on the replacement. The latest from the old Ags network is that the replacement will be Tuberville and it is a done deal . . . . SEC'ers don't see this as a step up but maybe Tommy just wants a change, beating Bama year in and year out is probably getting old.
taggy80 said:
posted on October 22, 2007 12:37 PM — 158.35.225.230 — link — abuse?
Brushpile Bill "Does anyone really believe that the AD didn't know about the newsletter till after the Miami game? They are using it as a way to manage the buyout expense down having already decided to change coaches after the year."
A little late with that one fella - I am assuming that you don't have a problem with the Aggies saving some coins to spend on the replacement. The latest from the old Ags network is that the replacement will be Tuberville and it is a done deal . . . . SEC'ers don't see this as a step up but maybe Tommy just wants a change, beating Bama year in and year out is probably getting old.
taggy80 said:
posted on October 29, 2007 7:03 AM — 158.35.225.230 — link — abuse?
It's a done deal. This comes from a contact deep inside the Athletic Department - a name that every Aggie would immediately recognize and equate with A&M football. The buyout of Fran's contract cost the Ag's 2 million dolars. It was structured this way take the $2 million and resign or we will tie it up in court for as long as we can. Fran's resignation will be announced in a press conference I expect it to happen later today (Monday 29 Oct.).
Who will replace Fran? The scuttlebutt is that an offer has been made to Tuberville AND his Defensive Coordinator. Stay tuned for the next big scoop on Aggie football.
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taggy80 said:
posted on October 17, 2007 12:54 PM — 158.35.225.229 — link — abuse?And they say Aggies are stupid - well duh - are you paying attention to anything. When the VIP Connection newsletter stuff broke Bill Byrne said that he would evaluate D.F. at the end of the season, and that is what will happen. Could a stong finish (winning out) save his job? I think that it is doubtful - there have just been too many embarrassments for the old ags, the ones with the money, to allow him to stay. Short of winning a National Championship D.F. is history. Byrne will do it at the end of the season. Word on the street is that Mike Leach is a possible candidate to take over at A&M.