UTC's David Blackburn says no official contact with UT on job

[ptcarter]

Is Nick Saban worth 7 million dollars to be a football coach? No, .....

Nick Saban is worth every penny of that.


Do you know how much revenue comes into that school from merchandise with that crappy looking A on it. I live in Alabama. Bandwagon fans have come out of the woodwork. I see dozens of cars draped in that stuff every day. Even in Tennessee. Even (heaven forbid) in Knoxville - I see that A everywhere. EVEN AT THE BATTLE BRISTOL. A guys sat next to me with a stupid tee shirt saying "Got 14?". I saw two other guys in line at the concession stand with Bama crap on up in Bristol. Maybe they'd thought there was a race that night, dunno....

It's easy to justify his salary.

 

[jos3ywales]

Bama gets back what they Pay Saban 10 Fold in merchandise NC Bowl payouts because of what he produces on the field. Thats why I have no problem Paying a big time coach big time money. Because every dime times many times over will come back to the School. Thats being said as long as Said Coach WINS WINS WINS.

 

[golfballs]

It's weird how this works. Seemingly the first "official contact" anyone ever has is during the press conference.

 

[SaintLouisVol]

It's weird how this works. Seemingly the first "official contact" anyone ever has is during the press conference.

Pretty common with public figure jobs. No "official" offer means no one got turned down or snubbed. It simply creates the opportunity to deny.

Media: "Mr. AD, is it true that Coach X turned you down?"
AD: "Coach X was never offered our coaching position."

Of course, this is because Coach X told the AD he'd say no if offered. But, still true nonetheless.

 

[landscapingvol]

Nobody. He's making it up or is uninformed.

There are coaches that passed us up (Strong, Muschamp, Sumlin come to mind), not the other way around.

Are you suggesting that Dooley and Jones were UT's ultimate targets? You don't think money played into other candidates saying no? Alabama wasn't exactly a juggernaut when they hired Saban and had experienced quite a few issues but enough money changes things

 

[Vol4ever]

Bama got tired of Losing, Boosters opened the check books went and got the best coach they could that they thought would give them the best chance to be the best and win a NC, and they did. Mich. did the same with JH. Ohio did with UM. Until Tennessee does the same and decides they want to WIN and win big, and the Boosters and school do the same Tennessee will never be back on top. JMO.

This is the absolute truth^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

UT administration not interested in spending the money to win big.

 

[05_never_again]

Are you suggesting that Dooley and Jones were UT's ultimate targets? You don't think money played into other candidates saying no? Alabama wasn't exactly a juggernaut when they hired Saban and had experienced quite a few issues but enough money changes things

In each of those searches, I think that Tennessee got their ultimate target from the pool of people who were willing to take the job.

You seem to think that a high enough amount of money could lure anybody. Do you think enough money could be thrown at Saban, Meyer, etc to get them to come to Tennessee? Do you think if we offered Harbaugh $10M/year, he'd come to Tennessee? Do you think if we offered Chip Kelly a contract that would make him one of the highest paid coaches in CFB he'd come to Tennessee? I don't.

When Saban arrived at Alabama, remember he was making half the money he does now (first contract was for 8 years, $32M). That isn't much more than what Butch is making now even when adjusted for inflation. Alabama offered him a nice contract but didn't put themselves in a compromised financial situation or anything crazy in order to get him.

And this is something Tennessee fans will never admit but let's face it: it was easier for Alabama, even with their program in the bad shape that it was, to attract a big name coach than it would be for Tennessee in a similar situation. Even pre-Saban, they had more tradition, more history, a more recognizable brand, and it is easier to recruit.

 

[05_never_again]

This is the absolute truth^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

UT administration not interested in spending the money to win big.

What coach out there do you want to pay $8-9M/year to? Does offering a coach that much money guarantee that you are going to find one that works?

This is such a lazy argument. You are pointing at extremely established, successful coaches, finding their salaries, and simply concluding that you need to offer prospective coaches whatever the top coaches make and you'll find your guy. It's not that simple.

 

[Vol4ever]

Here is 8 million dollars. What coach is worth that money that you can entice to come to Tennessee? That would put that person on par with Saban, Meyer and Harbaugh.

Offer that 8 million to Pete Carroll. Alabama was in not so good times and they paid to get Saban. You have to go for the best and I dont think we have done that.

 

[Vol4ever]

What coach out there do you want to pay $8-9M/year to? Does offering a coach that much money guarantee that you are going to find one that works?

This is such a lazy argument. You are pointing at extremely established, successful coaches, finding their salaries, and simply concluding that you need to offer prospective coaches whatever the top coaches make and you'll find your guy. It's not that simple.

BS, it is that simple if you are willing to put the work in. You go out and try to hire those most successful coaches. To me it is obvious we have not done that by using history as a reference. Its lazy to say you cant get that calibur of a coach in Knoxville.

 

[05_never_again]

Offer that 8 million to Pete Carroll. Alabama was in not so good times and they paid to get Saban. You have to go for the best and I dont think we have done that.

Hindsight bias. Texas paid to get Charlie Strong ($5M/year plus a $4M+ buyout to Louisville). How'd that work out?

Urban's first contract at Florida paid him $2M/year ($2.4M in 2016 dollars). By your definition, they didn't pay to get a coach and that shouldn't have worked out. Should've hired Stoops, should've re-hired Spurrier (which is what lots of people were saying at the time).

 

[Vol4ever]

In each of those searches, I think that Tennessee got their ultimate target from the pool of people who were willing to take the job.

You seem to think that a high enough amount of money could lure anybody. Do you think enough money could be thrown at Saban, Meyer, etc to get them to come to Tennessee? Do you think if we offered Harbaugh $10M/year, he'd come to Tennessee? Do you think if we offered Chip Kelly a contract that would make him one of the highest paid coaches in CFB he'd come to Tennessee? I don't.

When Saban arrived at Alabama, remember he was making half the money he does now (first contract was for 8 years, $32M). That isn't much more than what Butch is making now even when adjusted for inflation. Alabama offered him a nice contract but didn't put themselves in a compromised financial situation or anything crazy in order to get him.

And this is something Tennessee fans will never admit but let's face it: it was easier for Alabama, even with their program in the bad shape that it was, to attract a big name coach than it would be for Tennessee in a similar situation. Even pre-Saban, they had more tradition, more history, a more recognizable brand, and it is easier to recruit.

Its obvious you dont have confidence in our university.

 

[05_never_again]

BS, it is that simple if you are willing to put the work in. You go out and try to hire those most successful coaches. To me it is obvious we have not done that by using history as a reference. Its lazy to say you cant get that calibur of a coach in Knoxville.

OK, so what coaches out there do you want to offer $8-9M to and bring to Knoxville?

Does Tennessee even have the money to pay a coach that much? What if you hire a guy and after a couple years have to fire him? If you say offer him a shorter term contract, what if that leads him to look elsewhere for more security?

You make this sound as if you are playing Dynasty Mode in EA Sports NCAA Football or something.

 

[Vol4ever]

Hindsight bias. Texas paid to get Charlie Strong ($5M/year plus a $4M+ buyout to Louisville). How'd that work out?

Urban's first contract at Florida paid him $2M/year ($2.4M in 2016 dollars). By your definition, they didn't pay to get a coach and that shouldn't have worked out. Should've hired Stoops, should've re-hired Spurrier (which is what lots of people were saying at the time).

Everyone knew Meyer was the real deal at the time and he showed he was. So go after Wittingham if that is your thought process. Butch Jones has done some good things here but it has been 4 years and this year has been a disaster. 8-4??? and could have easily been 5-7?

 

[05_never_again]

Its obvious you dont have confidence in our university.

You overestimate how desirable of a job Tennessee is.

 

[orange parmejohn]

Hindsight bias. Texas paid to get Charlie Strong ($5M/year plus a $4M+ buyout to Louisville). How'd that work out?

Urban's first contract at Florida paid him $2M/year ($2.4M in 2016 dollars). By your definition, they didn't pay to get a coach and that shouldn't have worked out. Should've hired Stoops, should've re-hired Spurrier (which is what lots of people were saying at the time).

Is this an argument that UT should keep bargain bin shopping for coaches?

 

[Vol4ever]

OK, so what coaches out there do you want to offer $8-9M to and bring to Knoxville?

Does Tennessee even have the money to pay a coach that much? What if you hire a guy and after a couple years have to fire him? If you say offer him a shorter term contract, what if that leads him to look elsewhere for more security?

You make this sound as if you are playing Dynasty Mode in EA Sports NCAA Football or something.

I work in the business world and nothing comes easy, nothing if you are successful and want to be on top. Top teams are on the top for a reason.

If Tennessee doesnt have the money to hire a top coach then we need to know that. Then we need to shut up and accept 8-4 seasons and mediocrity.

 

[05_never_again]

Everyone knew Meyer was the real deal at the time and he showed he was. So go after Wittingham if that is your thought process. Butch Jones has done some good things here but it has been 4 years and this year has been a disaster. 8-4??? and could have easily been 5-7?

Kyle Whittingham is a big time coach? They've been rather mediocre since joining the Pac 12 with a couple of losing seasons and lost to every good team they played this year except USC (and they beat them early in the year when they were awful). That undefeated season and BCS bowl win were a long time ago (2008) and occurred when they were a non-P5 school.

You'd like to pay him $8-9M to come all the way across the country and coach in a conference he has no experience in or ties to? What if he is able to do no better than 8 or 9 wins, which would actually be better than what he has averaged since joining the Pac 12 (7.5) and in line with Butch's best seasons thus far? Do you fire him? If so, can the school afford that buyout?

See how difficult this is when you view it objectively and not with your mind already made up?

 

[volfan102455]

No coach no matter the money offered is a sure bet to have the level of success that some on this board demands.

 

[05_never_again]

Is this an argument that UT should keep bargain bin shopping for coaches?

It's an argument that dangling $8-9M/year (which is money the University doesn't have, BTW) over a prospective coach's head doesn't guarantee he will be successful.

 

[Vol4ever]

Kyle Whittingham is a big time coach? They've been rather mediocre since joining the Pac 12 with a couple of losing seasons and lost to every good team they played this year except USC (and they beat them early in the year). That undefeated season and BCS bowl win were a long time ago (2008) and occurred when they were a non-P5 school.

You'd like to pay him $8-9M to come all the way across the country and coach in a conference he has no experience in or ties to? What if he is able to do no better than 8 or 9 wins, which would actually be better than what he has averaged since joining the Pac 12 (7.5) and in line with Butch's best seasons thus far? Do you fire him? If so, can the school afford that buyout?

See how difficult this is when you view it objectively and not with your mind already made up?

No I dont believe in a defeatest attidude. Fire Butch? Well there are those on this board that says they are happy with Butch. Doesnt that provide a little insight to what is going on here? If you hire the right coaches to begin with then you dont have to worry about a buyout.

 

[Vol4ever]

It's an argument that dangling $8-9M/year (which is money the University doesn't have, BTW) over a prospective coach's head doesn't guarantee he will be successful.

BTW, how do you know the University doesnt have the money?

The 2016-17 budget plan includes operating revenue of $36,305,870 for ticket sales (net of taxes), $35,187,000 from “Conference/NCAA Distributions”, $29,600,000 from donations and endowment dividends and $10,654,500 from multi-media rights and sponsorships.
Under operating expenditures on the 2016-17 budget plan, UT has set aside $42,371,322 for compensation and benefits, $16,846,025 total for its sports teams (including travel, recruiting and operations) and $14,100,796 for scholarships.
The planned total for student-athlete welfare is $2,996,711 — up from $2,508,302 spent in 2015-16 — and $1,500,000 is set aside for a football bowl game, the same amount from the last fiscal year.

 

[volfan102455]

Kyle Whittingham record at Utah since joining the PAC 10

2011: 8-5
2012: 5-7
2013: 5-7
2014: 9-4
2015: 10-3
2016: 8-4

 

[butchna]

Offer that 8 million to Pete Carroll. Alabama was in not so good times and they paid to get Saban. You have to go for the best and I dont think we have done that.

Pete Carroll hasn't failed at Seattle...quite the opposite...and already is making 7 mil plus. Saban failed at Miami...totally different circumstances. Not to mention that Carroll and the NCAA aren't exactly on each other's Christmas Card lists.

 

[butchna]

No I dont believe in a defeatest attidude. Fire Butch? Well there are those on this board that says they are happy with Butch. Doesnt that provide a little insight to what is going on here? If you hire the right coaches to begin with then you dont have to worry about a buyout.

Someday we'll be awesome like you.