I don't think the Big 12 ever rejected Florida St and Clemson like they rejected Louisville. I would guess that if they were available then they would have been swept up.
UT Regent Impeachment Investigation Officially Begins of Jagoff Wallace Hall. http://www.barkingcarnival.com/2013/10/22/4865980/ut-regent-impeachment-investigation-officially-begins And this from same dude who posted Luck to Texas tweet. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/TheCouchBurner">@TheCouchBurner</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDeuceWVU">@TheDeuceWVU</a> Someone close to UT say the realistic candidates were Golden, Strong, Briles, Petersen, Muschamp.</p>— Christopher Lambert (@theDudeofWV) <a href="https://twitter.com/theDudeofWV/statuses/392728476483989505">October 22, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Behind the scenes, both FSU and Clemson were supposedly very interested and the B12 was mutually interested if they expanded, but the Big12 - led by the influence of the brilliant Deloss Dodds - decided against expansion because the current Big12 was so healthy.
I wouldn't get too worked up about this. Saban was a lock to Texas last summer according to "multiple sources in the know." If they weren't correct about it last year, no reason to think these guys would know the actual numbers being talked about.
You'd have to go back through the conference realignment threads, but it's pretty widely accepted that UT was opposed to expansion while OU and others wanted it, and that UT got their way. And that FSU along with either Clemson or GaTech were at the top of the wishlist, and there was mutually interest with both FSU and Clemson being pissed about their TV deal and both voting against the lock-in provisions that the conference agreed to. Both were, at various times, discussing a move out of the ACC at regents' meetings. FSU's BOT Chair talked publicly about wanting to leave and exploring the Big12. Here are some links from a quick google search: http://floridastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1364755 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...20120607_1_acc-meeting-twitter-os-coleyharvey http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2012/dec/5/realignment-today-is-florida-state-still/ http://www.tigernet.com/view/story.do?id=10623 http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/11/19/3667854/florida-state-big-12-maryland-acc-fee
take it fwiw <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpanningTheLoeb">@SpanningTheLoeb</a> confirming Terry Saban was house hunting in Austin few weeks ago. How bout that?</p>— Michael H. Pelech (@michaelpelech10) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelpelech10/statuses/393073386793877504">October 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/CurryShoff">@CurryShoff</a> lol, yup! Well, at least, Loeb is confirming it. Pretty awesome, talked about the realtor, location, etc (didn't name names).</p>— Michael H. Pelech (@michaelpelech10) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelpelech10/statuses/393074458551803904">October 23, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As an Auburn fan, I'd love to see Saban out of Alabama. But 3 things... 1) Zero, ZERO, chance he leaves Alabama if they win the National Championship. Nobody leaves after a National Championship. It just doesn't happen. 2) There is no logical reason to leave Alabama for Texas. Alabama would match any offer I'd imagine, and he consistently gets one of the Top recruiting classes every single year there. 3) SEC >>>>> Big 12. Competitively, there is no reason to leave.
Eh - I think it just makes the Longhorns into the Yankees and just trying to buy a championship. I'd much rather get an up and coming up guy that will be hear longterm (Saban's already in his 60's) and build a program with a unique identity here, even if it results in less success. I'd love to build a program that can beat Alabama instead of just buying theirs.
I agree completely. I feel like hiring Saban away from Alabama would be almost as bad as hiring Stoops away from Oklahoma. It would just feel like we gave up on building a great Texas program; like we decided to buy someone else's soul since we did not have our own. Shaw from Stanford is top of my list -- but I'd feel bad about stealing him away from his alma mater...hmmm. I am not a big Briles guy or Charlie Strong guy (they're good coaches, but I don't feel they would excel at Texas). Yeah, I gotta say, Shaw is the top of my list.
Shaw is much less likely than Saban. And damn, Jesus at IT has nailed every scoop lately, weeks before it was broken by anyone else. I wouldn't bet against anything he says at this point.
I understand the sentiment but if you have a chance at the best in the business, you have to go for it IMO. For the record, I have Shaw at the top of my no-Saban list but if he's interested, it would be a ridiculous pairing no matter what the sport.
So, who is this young up and coming coach? Texas knows they have to hit a home run on this hire, if they don't the program will be set back a decade. That's why the will without a doubt make Saban say no. Will he go to Texas, I doubt it, but at this point he has to be option #1.
I'd love Saban for two reasons: 1) Perception is reality in college football. Texas stealing Saban from Alabama would establish Texas as a big dog again, even before a single snap was played. Journalists, recruits, and fans would suddenly view Texas in a different light. 2) Toughness. Even a few years of Saban would completely change how our program is run. I have absolutely no doubt that whoever followed Saban would inherit a team full of guys who know how to bust their ass. I get the "Yankees" angle, but most college football fans view us like that already. Why not finally act on it and get the wins to show for it?
I'd be perfectly happy with Terry Saban as coach - would be a major upgrade for Mack. Plus since Bama and Texas play in different conferences, no conflict of interest with Nick, until they meet in the MNC.
