[Houston Chronicle] Houston's Briles set to interview at Baylor

As I said if you had bothered to actually read my entire post, I do not believe that this will ever happen, but unless you work in the Big XII office, you don't know for sure that this has not been discussed. I don't know either, but I don't doubt for an instant that this and a zillion other unlikely ideas have been tossed around.

Yeah...because they are winning sooooo many SEC titles. The whole notion that the SEC is far superior to the Big XII is overblown. The Big XII champion will likely play in the championship game this year, while the SEC champion won't get a sniff. The idea is to win a major conference championship and get yourself a chance at the crystal football.

Well...let's see...games at Floyd Casey Stadium, or games at Reliant Stadium? Hmmm...which is more likely to get national media attention? Which is more likely to generate more money?

Baylor or UH as programs...it is basically a push. Neither is in any danger of winning anything significant anytime soon.

I really included this part of the post tongue in cheek, but since you decided to go there...here we go. While I understand your point about private schools and financial disclosure, to ignore the role that Gov. Richards had in Baylor getting into the Big XII is stupid.

 

Briles still proud to be a Coog

Art Briles flew to Dallas Tuesday to discuss the vacant head coaching position at Baylor University, but at the end of the day Briles said that he was "still proud to be a Houston Cougar."

Briles met with Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw, but no formal offer had been made and no real contract details were discussed.

"We met and just some scenarios and possibilities," Briles said. "There never was an offer extended. There never was talk about (money). None of that was discussed. It was just a get-to-know-each-other process.

"I viewed it as a compliment to our university, our program and our football team. I felt I owed it to my family as a provider and my profession to (meet with the Baylor representatives).

"I'm still proud to be a Houston Cougar."

Briles has four years remaining on a contract extension he signed last year; a deal that is worth $900,000 per year and could exceed $1 million with incentives. That contract has a $300,000 buyout that would allow Briles, 51, to accept another job.

University of Houston athletics director Dave Maggard said that he expected that the situation should be "resolved within a couple of days."

Baylor is seeking a replacement for Guy Morriss, who was fired Nov. 18, one day after the Bears completed a 3-9 season, their 12th straight losing season, and went 0-8 in the Big 12. In five years under Morriss the Bears went 18-40 overall and 7-33 in Big 12 games.

Briles has coached at the University of Houston for five years, compiling a 34-28 record and taking the Cougars to four bowl games, including the 2007 Texas Bowl, which will be played on Dec. 28 at Reliant Stadium. The Cougars, who accepted the Texas Bowl invitation after finishing 8-4 this season, have not won a bowl game since 1980.

 

I hope he stays. The more strong programs in the conference, the better.

 

I'm pretty sure there is more money in the SEC. They have better programs that tend to have more of a draw than most of the Big 12.

Hmmm... you want to put a team that averaged 22,000 fans in 2006 in a stadium that holds 72,000?

The Baylor baseball team was in the College World Series a couple years ago and has carried a .623 winning percentage under their current coach. and their Women's basketball team won the national championship in 2005.

Baylor is just bad in football. Their private school status though makes them extremely valuable to the conference.

 

He did say "anything significant".

 

if he leaves good, if he doesn't even better...hopefully he will win a bowl game this year

 

Better historically than Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Texas? I think not. And now the emergence of the Kansas and Missouri football programs add more weight to the conference. Not to mention the emergence of the Texas A&M basketball program.

Against Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma every other year...you bet. Most Big XII schools travel exceptionally well.

The UH baseball program has been a perennial top 25 program for quite a while now. They regressed last year, but should be up soon. A move to the Big XII can only help their recruiting in all sports. Baylor being in the Big XII since its inception hasn't seemed to help them much, if at all.

Ummm...wrong. See men's basketball.

 

In a year where Hawaii, Connecticut, Boise St. and South Florida rose to top 25 prominence, there is no reason U of H can't be a strong football school.

 

Refman, you couch your original post by saying you doubt it will ever happen, and then say the "Ann Richards" thing was tongue in cheek, but then launch into a point-by-point argument defending the ridiculousness of your post.



Baylor isn't leaving the Big 12. Arkansas isn't leaving the SEC. UH isn't joining the Big 12. VY isn't going to play for the Texans. Etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

I know you're not talking about men's basketball. Do you even know what you're talking about? You do realize what the team has gone through right.
In 2003 Baylor was plagued by the Dennehy scandal and basically sent the program in a rapid downward spiral. They were placed on probation including a non-conference ban, a post-season ban and a limit of7 scholarships for the next 2 years. With only 7 scholarship players in 2005 they were still able to put together a signing class ranked 7th nationally. This year they boast the best player out of the state of Louisiana (#46 in the nation) LaceDarius Dunn along with last year's addition of Tweety Carter. People who do their research will know that Tweety played varsity basketball in 7th grade and owns the scoring record for all of high school history. Next year Anthony Jones who is signing with Baylor is the only 4 star prospect not going to Kansas or A & M. This year they are undefeated and recently came off an impressive victory at the Paradise Jam Tournament where Curtis Jerrels (2007 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team) led the team averaging 20.0 ppg and 7.5 reb. If you wanna talk about talent, they have it. Overcoming a tragic obstacle and turning nothing out of something? Did it. Do your research before you run your mouth about something that you don't know anything about.

 

I have it on good authority that the SEC wants to tap into the Texas market. ala U of H

 

Refman --

I think you know full well that the Big XII isn't going to knock out Baylor to bring in UH.

 

There sure are a hell of a lot of "reliable sources" and "good authorities" floating around.

 

I'm receiving reports from a reliable source saying that... Baylor sucks

 

I have it on a good authority that I just farted.

 

yea, but does anyone know for a fact?

 

I think he should hold out for a better offer. Sure he gets good money at Baylor, but their AD seems to fire coaches pretty quickly around there.... Buyer beware. Its tempting, but there could be other offers on the horizon that make more sense (Texas Tech if Leach bails).

Regardless, he has a good gig with UofH so I don't think he should be in a hurry to jump ship.

 

My "inside sources" are telling me Briles will be announced at a 2 p.m. press conference. Press conference isn't publicized yet...source is someone on campus who SHOULD know.

Phil Bennett as defensive coordinator.

Fantastic hires for Baylor, if this is correct.

 

I agree.

 

MadMax,

I take it from your posts that your a Baylor Bear or a least a fan. Did you go there? If so, when?

If your sources are correct, great hires by BU (finally). I was pulling for Singletary just for the excitement he would bring but Briles is a good coach.

Refman is correct about BU's football and men's basketball teams. They have been bad. Basketball is on its way back with the talent Drew has recruited. No reason why Art cannot get Baylor back to respectability.