I'm baffled on how UT can announce a coach next week if its not Gruden, Kelly, or Stoops. The obscene amount of $$$ for renovations that got approved would suggest they know they are gonna sell out every game for the next 5 years. Those 3 are the only realistic options.
Why? People don't pledge that amount of cash without a safety net. Those 3 are safety nets. I can put Petersen and Patterson in that category, but there's no way Currie could get a MOU signed by a sitting coach. HearforGrumors...chime in on that if you can. Can sitting coaches agree to a MOU whilst employed elsewhere? And even if they could sign one, how have they had time to meet with Currie during the season to hammer out the details?
So, Kelly said no interest, then it was reported UT had no interest. If you hear 10.3 million contract figures for Gruden...why would you dare say UT was out of the running when you could scare the dickens out of UCLA and FLA with those numbers and hike your pay? No agent would. Stoops is done. Doesn't want stress/health to mess with his retirement...at least that what it looks like.
Up and comers...Mullen, Frost, etc. Why would UT throw those guys a huge figure that would ensure a contract? We can get all those guys cheaper than that.
Leaves Gruden. Now assuming ESPN is on the fritz and he is iffy about the NFL from political reasons, viewership, etc., what better option does he have than UT, especially if UT is ready to give him a blank check and the keys to the program?
As I've said before...if Gruden isn't announce by next Friday...my hopes are in free-fall.