Someone a short while back (Owl69/../..IIRC) said that with the hiring of Mensa UH was going all in. I couldn't agree more and what is even more interesting is how the situation has changed in such a short time.

A year ago UH was trying find a way to pay for the new stadium and despite repeated hints that a naming rights deal was just about to be announced UH ultimately had to go the student fee route. The proposed renovations to Hofeinz were put on hold and even a basketball practice facility was facing a difficult road. Even with the stadium built things didn't go smoothly with an ugly opening loss and little interest after the first game by anyone not bleeding Cougar red. Rumors had Mack Rhoades putting his name out as available hoping to cash in on getting the stadium built. His popularity had dipped with the Dickey and Levine hires and the lack of a surge in fund raising.

It seems, at least to me, that President Khator at this point stepped in and decided to take charge. Somehow she managed to get Tilman Fretitta involved (he attended UH's hotel and restaurant program but didn't graduate) and the word was that he supplied the money to go after Herman and staff. Perhaps he was also behind the money to bring Sampson to UH as well. While the Sampson hire hasn't produced any uptick in interest in basketball to date the hiring of Herman has everyone talking and after tonight will make a difference in recruiting right away.

To those that say UT will never let UH into the B12 I wouldn't be so sure. Much of the venom from the UT side came from DeLoss Dodds and with Steve Patterson at the helm the view may be a lot different from the Texas Tower. Also if Fertitta is now a major player at UH perhaps he and Patterson already have a relationship from Patterson's days with the Rockets. There have been whispers that Governor Abbott has told Khator he will do what he can to help UH getting into the B12.

So the wave of red over the NCAA football world tonight isn't just from Columbus Ohio. The fortunes have turned for Rice as well with the hiring of JK but if someone of his ability had been hired to replace CDC we might have had a leg up on UH at this point.

From the Bailiff coaching tree...

Interesting, Tiki. Wtih ACC schools off the table, if the Big XII sees a compelling need to expand to XII, then UH may be a good alternative to a school like Cincinatti.

I don't see UH reaching the threshold of generating ~$28mm on its own merits, but the economics of the conference championship, increased access to the championship game, and at least a foothold against the SEC may prompt the Longhorns to forgive what may still be a loss in revenue per team.

I guess I'll believe it when I see it.

The basketball facility is going as planned from what I have heard, the upgrade to Hof has a few hurdles but nothing to severe. I like all the hires by Herman, but he has to WIN, and WIN Big, that is what is expected right know. There are a lot of big time donors that love throwing money around, and I do not have a problem with that, McCombs & Jamal at UT is legendary with their cash flow, T Booone Pickens at Okie lite, he loves him some spending and putting his name on stuff. ATM has several huge donors from the oil patch!