I'm very curious what the other wise minds on this board think. I've been going back and forth on this for a while with the recent situations at Eastern Michigan (coach has to stay) and Western Michigan (coach leaves). The Rob Murphy saga is getting a lot of play in Detroit right now. Not only are there the basic school arguments, but there is also a lot of back and forth about employee vs employer rights in Michigan right now.

http://themacdaily.com/?p=1097

Dear psc2009,
To me it's very simple. It was in his contract, that should he leave, to cough up the $210,000. Honor the contract. We have too many breakdowns in recent years where everyone gets to do what they want. If, that's the case, don't sign a contract.

Have you ever had a cell phone contract? :-)

If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

(08-22-2012 03:21 AM)emu79 Wrote:  If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

athletic contracts are signed meant to be broken by the coach or the school.

Just like marriage: "Until death do us part" and 1/2 of all marriages end in divorce.

Coaches get fired all the time or leave for another position. No coach takes a job expecting to be there 30 or 40 years later (like marriage).

I like the way Murphy's contract is written:

if Murphy leaves, he owes one year's salary. If the university fires Murphy the university owes one year's salary.

Symmetrical.

If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

Especially when it has a buyout clause.

(08-22-2012 06:17 AM)emu79 Wrote:  If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

Especially when it has a buyout clause.

By honoring it do you mean paying the 210K exit fee?

If that is what you mean, then I agree.

This kind of employment contract is a legal document which provides a way EITHER side may terminate it.

The contract isn't meant to imply 'shackles' for the employee.

Coaches I selfishly feel should have to pay to go..LoL
1. English. MAC coach of year should equal $1,000,000 buy out hahaha
2. Anderson. Back to back 2,500+ rushing seasons as run coordinator, too valuable, make him pay. hahaha
3. Snow. Takes defense from siv like to top run and pass d in conference (Helps that offense is on field all day see #2)
4. Hart. I know he hasn't proven anything yet but I'm sure he's an asset in recruiting, make him pay hahaha

This post was clearly in JEST. I do not feel coaches should have to pay to leave unless in the contract which USUALLY is paid for by the school or organization that he or she is going to. The school has right to fire and take these peoples benefits on a whim so lets be fair here,

(08-22-2012 07:40 AM)Ninkonpoopersnap Wrote:  Coaches I selfishly feel should have to pay to go..LoL
1. English. MAC coach of year should equal $1,000,000 buy out hahaha
2. Anderson. Back to back 2,500+ rushing seasons as run coordinator, too valuable, make him pay. hahaha
3. Snow. Takes defense from siv like to top run and pass d in conference (Helps that offense is on field all day see #2)
4. Hart. I know he hasn't proven anything yet but I'm sure he's an asset in recruiting, make him pay hahaha

This post was clearly in JEST. I do not feel coaches should have to pay to leave unless in the contract which USUALLY is paid for by the school or organization that he or she is going to. The school has right to fire and take these peoples benefits on a whim so lets be fair here,

You may speak in JEST, BUT Gragg has some work to get these contracts done.

English is in his 4th year and I don't remember if it expires after this season or next.

Either way he (Gragg) needs to try and 'break the bank' to keep them.

My worst fear is that English, Snow, Anderson, etc. would depart for greener grass.

This is an EXCELLENT coaching staff, maybe the best in the MAC.

(08-22-2012 06:59 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-22-2012 06:17 AM)emu79 Wrote:  If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

Especially when it has a buyout clause.

By honoring it do you mean paying the 210K exit fee?

If that is what you mean, then I agree.

This kind of employment contract is a legal document which provides a way EITHER side may terminate it.

The contract isn't meant to imply 'shackles' for the employee.

Yes I was referring to the 210k exit fee agreed to both parties in the written contract.

By the way a contract in general can shackle an employee if the employee agrees to being "schackled" as part of the contract terms.

(08-22-2012 01:27 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(08-22-2012 06:59 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(08-22-2012 06:17 AM)emu79 Wrote:  If you're over 18 and sign a contract you need to honor it.

Especially when it has a buyout clause.

By honoring it do you mean paying the 210K exit fee?

If that is what you mean, then I agree.

This kind of employment contract is a legal document which provides a way EITHER side may terminate it.

The contract isn't meant to imply 'shackles' for the employee.

Yes I was referring to the 210k exit fee agreed to both parties in the written contract.

By the way a contract in general can shackle an employee if the employee agrees to being "schackled" as part of the contract terms.

This is one of those threads which I kind of dislike.

When we think about it I assume everyone believes a contract is a contract and a well written contract with symmetrical provisions for early termination (by the university or the employee), abundant performance clauses, etc. etc. is a GOOD THING.

Who wants to argue against that???

I think it Murphy's contract is a very well written, fair contract which did what it was, in part, intended to do, namely, prevent an early termination.

It also provides Murphy a chance to make a very sweet bonus if he can say win the MAC and go to the NCAA (and nice bonuses for lesser feats).

I think he gets a bonus for averaging 2,500 in attendance...

(08-22-2012 02:51 PM)KPJ Wrote:  I think he gets a bonus for averaging 2,500 in attendance...

TOUGH ONE! COULD HAPPEN IF WE WIN,WIN AND/OR PLAY SOME EXCITING OFFENSE