Butch is not going anywhere.

Could you imagine the revenue hike if we had a top level coach fielding an elite team?

This is flawed logic. Revenue gains would be minimial. Ticket sales are what they are. They're already maxed out - and UT can't raise them much higher. Concessions are contracted out and pre-negotiated. TN doesn't gain more or lose more regardless of number of fans at the games.

Making a major bowl game will come with an increased payout - but that payout is divided among all SEC members.

Revenue from merchandising is about the only thing that could increase - but TN fans buy merchandise regardless.

What's shocking is the minimial amount of reserves UT has. We're still last in the SEC in financial reserves. I'd say that will have more to do with Butch staying or leaving than anything. Can UT take a 15million hit in buyouts, with another 10million in new salaries? Not without boosters stepping up and fitting the bill. If they're not ready for a change, then likely Butch survives for another year.
 
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Why do some of you think this is an easy decision? Changing coaches could easily run into the $24 million dollar range (buyouts + new staff). Where is that money coming from?

The UTAD just came out of a big mess and is just now starting to build back reserves. I'm fairly certain that there is not that many $$$ in those reserves
.

Before you put the burden on the donors - you need to consider that those same donors you are calling upon are the same group that is supporting the effort to raise the billion dollars for academics, fellowships, etc. that is needed for the university. They are also the same ones that will be called upon for sorely needed renovations to Neyland. With over 28,000 students on the Knoxville campus their priority in terms of where they want their dollars spent may be different from what you want. The dollars those students put into the university and campus dwarfs the dollars brought in by the football program.

IF Currie decides a new coach is needed - I'm sure he is very aware that it won't be a "let's find someone give him 2 to 3 years and if he doesn't meet the fan expectation move on" situation. UT does not have money like that unless they ditch the academic campaign and place football over academics. And UT is and should be a university for higher learning first IMO.

Just freaking stop with this complete BS. I swear some of you act like Tennessee is Obion County Technical Community College. Tennessee is a BIG time university with BIG time money. UT can afford whoever they want. Your silly rationale doesnt work anymore.
 
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Butch isn't going anywhere?


Yes he is, even if I have to take him there myself!
 
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Just freaking stop with this complete BS. I swear some of you act like Tennessee is Obion County Technical Community College. Tennessee is a BIG time university with BIG time money. UT can afford whoever they want. Your silly rationale doesnt work anymore.

Your silly rationale is just that, silly.

If TN has BIG time money, then why are we last in the SEC in reserves? Why did the athletic department have to stop giving money to the academic side a few years back?

The athletic department was in the red until a few years back. Last year, the football program was the most profitbale in the country and yet the AD still only cleared 12$million after expenses from all other programs. Part of that money is set aside for debt payment. This article from last year says, "The reserve fund was $6.9 million, the lowest among the 14 SEC members and a number nearly four times what the school reported in 2012."

Butch's buyout alone would exceed the reserves TN has, and we sure don't have the reserves to go out and pay $15million for a "top coach and top staff." Currie isn't stupid - he's not going to thrash TN back into the red unless he absolutely has to. He understands doing so will hurt all other TN programs and jeopardize the financial stability of the school. That's not something you do when your coach has had back to back 9 win seasons.

Yes, we may be a BIG time school, but we probably don't have any more reserves than "Obion Tech"

Don't believe me, here go check it out yourself:
UT athletics reports $12.2 million surplus for 2015-16 fiscal year | USA TODAY Sports
 
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Your silly rationale is just that, silly.

If TN has BIG time money, then why are we last in the SEC in reserves? Why did the athletic department have to stop giving money to the academic side a few years back?

The athletic department was in the red until a few years back. Last year, the football program was the most profitbale in the country and yet the AD still only cleared 12$million after expenses from all other programs. Part of that money is set aside for debt payment. This article from last year says, "The reserve fund was $6.9 million, the lowest among the 14 SEC members and a number nearly four times what the school reported in 2012."

Butch's buyout alone would exceed the reserves TN has, and we sure don't have the reserves to go out and pay $15million for a "top coach and top staff." Currie isn't stupid - he's not going to thrash TN back into the red unless he absolutely has to. He understands doing so will hurt all other TN programs and jeopardize the financial stability of the school. That's not something you do when your coach has had back to back 9 win seasons.

Yes, we may be a BIG time school, but we probably don't have any more reserves than "Obion Tech"

Don't believe me, here go check it out yourself:
UT athletics reports $12.2 million surplus for 2015-16 fiscal year | USA TODAY Sports

Keep on living in a small world. If you dont think UT can afford a big time coach then you are beyond help.
 
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Just freaking stop with this complete BS. I swear some of you act like Tennessee is Obion County Technical Community College. Tennessee is a BIG time university with BIG time money. UT can afford whoever they want. Your silly rationale doesnt work anymore.

It is not BS. The fiscal numbers that have been posted over the last 5 years or so are very clear.
 
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From a sporting news article.

"Tennessee’s reserves were close to $30 million about five years ago, but they’ve been depleted by those $21 million in transfers back to the university over the last three years, and $11.4 million in buyouts to fired coaches in football, basketball and baseball, as well as administrators. Hamilton walked away in 2011 with a $1.335 million buyout.

None of that includes a $5 million buyout owed Derek Dooley, who was fired as Tennessee’s football coach in November, and $2 million to his assistants. That $7 million will have to be found in this year’s budget.

The Vols incur another expense that costs them $1.6 million a year in city and county taxes. It’s called the “amusement tax,” and it charges the school 5 percent on each ticket sold in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, in addition to the 9.25 percent state sales tax. The amusement tax, according to Tennessee athletics Chief Financial Officer Bill Myers, doesn’t pertain to concerts—just the Vols’ major sporting events. Cities and counties that are home to other Tennessee schools and the NFL Titans don’t impose such a tax, he said."
 
and more...

"The Vols find themselves mired in more than $200 million of debt, the most in the SEC, with reserves of just $1.95 million, the least in the conference.

The athletic department spends a startling $21 million a year on debt payments, $13.5 million of which comes from the school’s stressed $99.5 million athletic budget and the rest from donations.


It’s an ugly financial picture for one of the nation’s strongest football brands..."
 
If Tennessee had deep pockets, Neyland Stadium would not be in the shape it is in. The last major renovations were in 2010 - 7 years ago.

2011 - UTAD spent 3.98 million more than they brought in.

Some other articles for those that believe UT has been swimming in 'extra cash' for years. They haven't.

Tennessee's $111 million athletic budget in context - Evan's Eleven

From 2013 - just 4 years ago:

Tennessee athletic department mired in $200 million debt | NCAA Football | Sporting News

UTAD is just now getting back to where there are reserves available.
 
This is flawed logic. Revenue gains would be minimial. Ticket sales are what they are. They're already maxed out - and UT can't raise them much higher. Concessions are contracted out and pre-negotiated. TN doesn't gain more or lose more regardless of number of fans at the games.

Making a major bowl game will come with an increased payout - but that payout is divided among all SEC members.

Revenue from merchandising is about the only thing that could increase - but TN fans buy merchandise regardless.

What's shocking is the minimial amount of reserves UT has. We're still last in the SEC in financial reserves. I'd say that will have more to do with Butch staying or leaving than anything. Can UT take a 15million hit in buyouts, with another 10million in new salaries? Not without boosters stepping up and fitting the bill. If they're not ready for a change, then likely Butch survives for another year.

Na, we could sell much more merchandise for starters. Just look at Alabama's numbers, from enrollment which has increased beyond the normal expected growth on down to merchandise which sells well nation wide now, before and after Saban. They pay his salary in a couple of home games each year. I agree we need better reserves, and there is no one to blame but the admins for that and for hiring poorly. Success pays in football just like anything else. :good!:
 
From a sporting news article.

"Tennessee’s reserves were close to $30 million about five years ago, but they’ve been depleted by those $21 million in transfers back to the university over the last three years, and $11.4 million in buyouts to fired coaches in football, basketball and baseball, as well as administrators. Hamilton walked away in 2011 with a $1.335 million buyout.

None of that includes a $5 million buyout owed Derek Dooley, who was fired as Tennessee’s football coach in November, and $2 million to his assistants. That $7 million will have to be found in this year’s budget.

The Vols incur another expense that costs them $1.6 million a year in city and county taxes. It’s called the “amusement tax,” and it charges the school 5 percent on each ticket sold in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, in addition to the 9.25 percent state sales tax. The amusement tax, according to Tennessee athletics Chief Financial Officer Bill Myers, doesn’t pertain to concerts—just the Vols’ major sporting events. Cities and counties that are home to other Tennessee schools and the NFL Titans don’t impose such a tax, he said."

January 28, 2013 article....

And the transfer payments from the Ath Dept to the University were suspended shortly after that article was written.
 
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January 28, 2013 article....

And the transfer payments from the Ath Dept to the University were suspended shortly after that article was written.

Yes, VN came apart with this article, and it was changed.
 
Just freaking stop with this complete BS. I swear some of you act like Tennessee is Obion County Technical Community College. Tennessee is a BIG time university with BIG time money. UT can afford whoever they want. Your silly rationale doesnt work anymore.

"Mr. BOT, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I've ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response was there anything that could even be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul!"
 
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We are most likely looking at six wins this year, with the attrition and forthcoming blow to recruiting it will only get harder going forward. He should be let go immediately following Vanderbilt so they can be available and focus on the next page.

He never should've been hired, all he ever did prior to UT was walk in Brian Kelly's footsteps.
 
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Butch is not going anywhere.

If he loses to SC, Currie will call the moving van...........bank on it.
 
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