RE: SMU 3:30 EST
Look...
A few things:
1) Let's assume "the worst" for a moment: Luke Fickell is leaving, for whatever reasons, and there's not a thing we can "do" about it. First, yeah, I hate it. But, it's not like we haven't at least explored this position before...we have "had" a plan ready before and that "plan" is probably in better shape than ever: Marcus Freeman. Last time, with Michigan State looming, Freeman had "less" experience than he had before. I have to believe that Cunningham has Marcus on speed dial, and maybe even Fickell has spoken to him. Freeman is "ready" for the job and I think that, if UC came calling, we'd be the honest FAVORITE in a contest for Freeman's services with most of the other "Power" conference teams that might be checking him out.
2) Maybe the "Super Agent" and Luke Fickell have spoken to Cunningham and have some sort of proposal to UC...yeah, it's NOT going to be $9.7 Million-a-year like Mel Tucker. But looking ahead to the Big XII, some sort of move up to $5 Million-a-year with additional incentives might be "enough." How much money does a man need? I get it, "more is better," but if that's the case, then See "Point 1." And, for football coaches, it's NOT even about the money as much as it is about inheriting a "Blueblood" program that "competes on the highest level." USC, Florida, Texas A&M, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, etc...these are all college football coach equivalent of playing in the NFL: top-level, legend class programs. Short of that, it really is more level: what's the difference between coaching at "Purdue" and "Cincinnati"...the money. Yeah, "Purdue" plays in the Big Ten and therefore gets a minimum respect level, but beyond that, it's really about a couple-of-million dollars in salary. Maybe the Fickells really do have values different than "others," maybe Luke really is biding his time for a "legend" program to come calling. Until then, maybe he's realistic enough to know that the "difference" between $5 million and $9.7 million is LESS than 1.5 Million and $5 Million. There is a diminishing ROI with money; there comes a time when "living comfortably" is not impacted by throwing money on the fire.
3) I remember the waning days of Brian Kelly...when he was assuring everyone that he wasn't "going anywhere." I don't hear that...for good or for ill...from Luke Fickell. I also remember Brian Kelly's biggest gripes that last year were NOT about the sheer amount of money or salary, but the facilities and the money for assistants and resources available for recruiting. (Mick also had similar issues...) So, maybe it's not ONLY the idea of "pay the man," but also continuing to make investments into the infrastructure. Meaning that, in place of a $9.7 Million salary, a smaller salary with a corresponding monetary investment in the infrastructure of the program might be just as valuable. The IPC...we have to get that done. NOW. Continued investment into Nippert...we have to keep doing it. Looking into some sort of aircraft or lease so that coaches can go recruiting...OVERDUE. But let Luke tell you what he needs on that. And here, having Cunningham as the AD, with his Syracuse experiences, probably is an advantage. Cunningham isn't a guy with a "MAC mindset." I would guess that he and Coach Fickell have been in conversation on these things and are largely on the same page.
I don't know what happens next. I'm almost at the "50-50" phase of where to set my expectations. But it'll be OK no matter what happens.
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