So says a blog in the Knoxville News. I have no idea how credible this writer is regarding UT athletics.


http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/askgriff/2...dered.html

Bit? Any insights regarding this?

At the moment, it's all speculation. I'm sure the administration has candidates in mind, but they've not leaked anything that I'm aware of.

I've heard they're just floating names around to gauge the reactions to it.

Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick Wrote:I've heard they're just floating names around to gauge the reactions to it.

Ok Jose.

How long are we going to as a conference hear our coaches as leading candidates for other programs. This is getting ridiculous seems like every year.

firmbizzle Wrote:

Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick Wrote:I've heard they're just floating names around to gauge the reactions to it.

Ok Jose.

Actually jose, they're doing pretty much exactly that. At least the news reporters are...

Those who have input on this decision have an agenda, a list of candidates, and several horses pulling them in all directions. But that's all taking place behind closed doors, and the news media doesn't have access yet. It's too early in the search process. Eventually a concencus will be reached. They should have their decision made, and an offer presented by season's end. That's the word I've heard...

One of my neighbors works in the AD's office. So I get a little info, although not as much as I'd like. She's just a pretty functionary in the office...

The word from supposed people in the know is that the Tennessee AD is floating names out and gauging public reaction. Last week was Butch Davis, this week Brian Kelly, maybe another name next week... we'll see what happens. Obviously if he is offered the job he will be out of Cincinnati.

Last nite in Memphis, the news had a story about this. This is the first time that have commented on the replacement. They said Kelly is the leading candidate and Leavitte is the second choice as it stands now. Butch was never mention, and no other names came out from it. I have no inside info on who they want, but just telling you what they said. I can tell you that most Vols fans want Kelly from this area. They have been really impressed what he has done at Cinn. Good luck to the bearcats. I do hope that you guys can hang on to your coach.

bitcruncher Wrote:At the moment, it's all speculation. I'm sure the administration has candidates in mind, but they've not leaked anything that I'm aware of.

Even if a certain coach isn't interested in said job opening, his lawyer(s)/agent will most certainly try and get his clients name OUT THERE...as to at least build up some interest...as most coaches stay where they are...but use job openings to secure higher salaries/raises at their current position.

Oldest trick in the book to get more $$$$$ from your current employer with zero REAL interest in leaving by but using any high profile job opening to do just that.

Rich Rod did it during his last off-season (secured brand new contract with the threat of leaving...only to break said contract 9 months later), Schiano did that, Leavitt did it as well.

Believe Leavitt right now makes about $200,000-$300,000 more than Kelly (who is around $850,000 per year).

Here's a very interesting story from USA TODAY from a year or so ago...and comments by Kelly might show where his ultimate personal goal will lead him (i.e. follow the $$$$$$$$):

Coaches themselves are sometimes taken aback by their largesse.

"It ranges from some days when I'm embarrassed about the amount of money I make to other days that you say, 'Listen, what's my market value? These are my earning years, and I've got to make sure I get the dollars I deserve,' " Cincinnati's Brian Kelly says.

Kelly, 46, was part of a sequence of coaching changes late last year that helped to fuel the spiral in salaries:

•Michigan State fired John L. Smith, buying out the two remaining years of his contract for $4.3 million, and hired Mark Dantonio away from Cincinnati. Dantonio, now nearing the end of his fourth year as a head coach, is making $1.15 million from Michigan State before bonuses this season — almost $400,000 less than Smith was paid but more than double the $495,000 Dantonio was guaranteed at Cincinnati in 2006.

•To replace Dantonio, Cincinnati plucked Kelly from Central Michigan and guaranteed him about 62% more than it had paid Dantonio in 2006. Kelly will make $800,000 this season, and his contract has built-in annual increases of $50,000. It's almost 4½ times the $185,000 Kelly made with Central Michigan a year ago.

•To replace Kelly, Central Michigan turned to Butch Jones, who'd spent two years as the receivers coach at West Virginia and seven years before that as an assistant at CMU. The first-time head coach is making $265,850 before bonuses, 44% more than his predecessor did last season.

If Kelly didn't let people know he was worth an investment, he'd be failing in his responsibility to himself. It's just enlightened self-interest. If UC is going to keep him, they'll need to pay the fair market value...

mlb Wrote:The word from supposed people in the know is that the Tennessee AD is floating names out and gauging public reaction. Last week was Butch Davis, this week Brian Kelly, maybe another name next week... we'll see what happens. Obviously if he is offered the job he will be out of Cincinnati.

I don't know about that. Tenn may be more money but how long will the job last. A lot of the coaching moves have not worked out as planned. You can move up but you may be better off where you are. Rich Rod and his team could have either been at WVU with Slayton and Devine (also Pat White and Terrell Pryor) and one more year and shot at a national title or he could have been in Michigan having the worse year in the schools' history. If Kelly can get past Pitt, Cincy will win the BE and take the BCS bid (they have Syr and Hawaii left on the schedule). BUt with loses to Oklahoma and UCONN he's still got work to do in CIncy.
To stay at Cincy he can build a national champion. To go to Tenn. his career may be over in three years. He needs to talk to RichRod, Bobby Patrino (lasted 13 games with the falcons after putting Louisville on the brink of a national title and had one more year with Brian Brom).
My advice, and not as a BE homer, is stay where you have having success until you do something great- like a national title. Patrino is now 4-6 at Arkansas- You tell me if not giving one more year to a surging Louisville team was worth the move for him. Or RichRod not going one more year with Pat White one game short of a shot at the title. If Cincy takes the BCS this year- the long-term health of Kelly's career means he stays where he is and aims for a national title next year.
BTW, Kragthrope made the right move in stepping up to BCS. But if you're already in BCS and earning an A get the A-plus before you move on. It will give you something to fall back on if things don't work out.

Scenario:

If Kelly gets a $2.5 Million per year offer (say 5 years at $12.5 Million), he will make more $$$$ from that contract (even if fired early) then he would if he stayed at Cinci for 12 years.

Cinci is at a major disadvantage due to the revenue their program can produce (i.e. can only make so much $$$$ playing in a 35,000 seat stadium).

Tennessee on the other hand can pay monopoly money...as if Kelly ever won a SEC Title (did you know Fulmer only won 2 SEC Titles in 18 years at Tennesee?), let alone a national title, Tenn could easily add $1 Million plus per year on top of whatever they sign their new coach to.

As long as Cinci plays games in their 35,000 seat stadium...I don't see Cinci ever paying a football coach $2 Million (or more) per year.

But my question is on success. Does Kelly have a big enough resume that he can fail at Tenn and still have a career? If RichRod fails at Mich- would you hire him? IF he went to Michigan with a national title game or two under his belt- he may have a career after a flop at Michigan. Consider Pryor was headed to WVU and Rod left a lot of potential instant success behind for more $$$. I think he could have been a hall of fame college coach with three more years of success at WVU. If (when) the Big House turns on him- that's it- career over. He didn't do enought at WVU to erase the big spotlight on him at Michigan. Michigan fans aren't going to vote the "worse coach (so far) in school history" to the Hall of Fame.
I'm sure Patrino made some serious dollars for the 13 games he gave the Falcons but his pro career is fried and a 4-6 Arkansas in the SEC is a long way from what he could have done that last year at Louisville.
If you're making $1.2 million is making $2.5 million that much of a game changer? I mean you're already in the top 5 percent of earners in the nation you're paying your bills on time and the wife ain't complaining. If you become more successful where you are now- the money will always be there but completely new situations, new cultures seem to throw some of these "star" coaches in a hole. They haven't had success long enough on a high enough level to move into a new situation and be successful. DOn't just pass- master the eight grade before you move on to the ninth.

KnightLight Wrote:Scenario:

If Kelly gets a $2.5 Million per year offer (say 5 years at $12.5 Million), he will make more $$$$ from that contract (even if fired early) then he would if he stayed at Cinci for 12 years.

Cinci is at a major disadvantage due to the revenue their program can produce (i.e. can only make so much $$$$ playing in a 35,000 seat stadium).

Tennessee on the other hand can pay monopoly money...as if Kelly ever won a SEC Title (did you know Fulmer only won 2 SEC Titles in 18 years at Tennesee?), let alone a national title, Tenn could easily add $1 Million plus per year on top of whatever they sign their new coach to.

As long as Cinci plays games in their 35,000 seat stadium...I don't see Cinci ever paying a football coach $2 Million (or more) per year.

Your correct, the desire to play in a 50K plus stadium and a conf who values Football more than BB is what coaches want. As long as the big East keeps it's present structure and attitude it will always be raided by the Big conferences and will be a stepping stone for coaches....
I hear that the Sun, Cotton and possibly Gator are interested in the leeches and there is no talk about the Big East, it's a shame what trangoose, gavitt have done to this league, the FB schools should revolt and make waves........

KnightLight Wrote:I don't see Cinci ever paying a football coach $2 Million (or more) per year.

How many other schools will pay a coach $2 million a year?

How much money is enough?

If you can't get a decent coach for $1 - $1.25 million then you did not hire the right person for the job.

It has turned into a big game. UC values athletics as evidenced by constructing Varsity Village and by paying Dantonio and Kelly competitive salaries/bonuses.

But there are not many schools that can compete with Tennessee and schools like that. If they want someone, they will have the big $$$ and go get them.

firmbizzle Wrote:

Jose_Jalapeno_on_a_Stick Wrote:I've heard they're just floating names around to gauge the reactions to it.

Ok Jose.

That is what I’ve heard from people who actually know.

Whatever the case, I’m happy to have a coach who’s actually in demand, as opposed to say, one who lies on his resume

I thought everyone agreed to call it a clerical error...

bearcatfan Wrote:

KnightLight Wrote:I don't see Cinci ever paying a football coach $2 Million (or more) per year.

How many other schools will pay a coach $2 million a year?

How much money is enough?

If you can't get a decent coach for $1 - $1.25 million then you did not hire the right person for the job.

It has turned into a big game. UC values athletics as evidenced by constructing Varsity Village and by paying Dantonio and Kelly competitive salaries/bonuses.

But there are not many schools that can compete with Tennessee and schools like that. If they want someone, they will have the big $$$ and go get them.

Last year (2007) the average salary of ALL Div I-A Coaches (including non-bcs teams) was $1 Million. (That does NOT include earned bonuses up to their salary each year.).

50 plus coaches earned more than $1 Million per year.

Right now...Kelly doesn't even earn the "average" salary.

How much is enough? Whatever the market bares as no one should ever put a limit on one's worth to an organization.

NOTE: The average bonus in the SEC for winning certain games was $478,571.

Big 10 had the highest academic average bonus of around $64,000 per year.