It's pretty much known that Salary and Personnel are the two hardest things in an organization, and the work itself is easy, so my philosophy has always been take them out of the equation. Pay what they want. Secure top personnel. And the rest takes care of itself. Pay Herman.
Lots of variables. Herman loves Houston and so does his family. UH loves Herman. UT isn't as glamorous as a job as the school and its alums seem to think it is. If Herman wants to compete for titles and that's his endgame, then he's bouncing to LSU, UT or USC. If he wants to build something then he's going to stay. He complained about attendance and about facilities. The school said show us the W's. The fans said show us the W's. He did. They did. We did. I'd love nothing more than for Herman to lead UT on only to leave them at the altar like the B12 did to UH last month.
Money hasn't been the largest priority in the past. He could have gotten more money on his last deal but didn't play hard ball. Let's not kid ourselves though, Herman's salary is likely going to be 6-7 million dollars a year next year at UH or UT. Everyone is talking about Herman's "dream job" and wherever he ends up, he is going to claim is his "dream job"; but I know in the past the job he joked about being the one he always dreamed of coaching at one day was USC. It is also the place he seemed to have some degree of interest in when there were rumored to be looking for a coach.
Herman took a lower offer last year and wanted the money to go towards his staff... if he leaves it's clearly not about the money.
Right. All TF's statement means is that money is irrelevant now, it's all about where Herman wants to be.
I'm just thrilled that this program has gone from not able to scrape together 1.5 million bucks to retain a good coach (Briles) to having bottomless pockets for a great one (Herman) in a span of 10 years. That is amazing.
Herman has been steadfast that the #1 thing for him is support and desire from the administration to achieve the highest possible goals. Herman has been given an enormous amount of support from this administration. He basically says jump and we say how high. He knows we have don't have the resources of UT, Ohio State, etc, but we're punching WAY above our weight on his behalf. I'm sure that is very gratifying for him to be the face of the most dramatic rise to prominence in college athletics... perhaps in history. Money can't buy everything, and as such, I hope we have whatever else it is he wants.
Herman is gone. Just accept it. It is more about the ability to win a National Championship. You have to be almost perfect at UH. UT or LSU can afford slip ups.
A lot of coaches claim that those things matter. What is different about Herman is that his past dealings with the university support that his claims are actually true. I have no doubt that all things being equal (conference & resources) that Herman would stay at UH. Herman has a very strong relationship with Renu & TF. Herman's family also doesn't want to leave Houston and Herman knows that he has a level of control at the University of Houston that he will not have at a larger program. There is little red tape at UH, the school protects him from the press and attempts to meet his requests without question. He also is shielded from boosters/outside distractions during the football program. Herman has commented negatively about the role of boosters and influences on football programs when he was a coach at UT and Ohio State. I heard him tell Stuhr that the experiences off the field at the premier schools he coached at left a real bad taste in his mouth. On the other hand, UT has resources that only a handful of schools can compete with, he will be able to recruit well across the state of Texas and he will be in a premier conference (all be it with less control). It will be interesting to see what happens.
UT has won 1 championship over the last 45 years. That isn't very many for a program that "can afford slip ups". The reality is that it is hard to win National Championships anywhere and the idea that it is easy at UT isn't supported by relevant history. For all the resources, there are obligations/concerns at schools like UT that coaches at other schools do not have to worry about. Herman may leave but it isn't a slam dunk that he goes to UT as you seem to think.
This is something I believe hurts UT. The Big 12 is not the juggernaut it was in the 2000's. Its champion is not guaranteed a seat at the table like the SEC and B1G are. Yes there is an inherent bias that lifts a 10 win Big 12 team over a 10 win AAC team (see Oklahoma over UH, despite UH kicking the crap out of OU already this year and the AAC having a higher RPI), but the reality of the gap isn't nearly as big as it once was.
Ya the SEC and B1G are pretty much the only guaranteed of the P5. The Big 12 and PAC have already missed out and both the ACC and PAC could be knocked out entirely with an upset in the CCG. But in reality, your conference is only as strong as your 2 biggest brands. Don't forget it was just a short time ago that the ACC was considered the worst football conference. The Big 10 wasn't anything to write home about during the Rodriguez/Hoke days at Michigan. And the PAC, much like the Big 12 and Texas, is suffering from a down USC program.
^ Exactly, UT being mired in mediocrity, Baylor self-immolating and TCU having a down year makes the conference weak. Everything is cyclical.
Long term UT is going to be in a conference that is a power conference or be an independent with a schedule good enough to make the dance. FWIW I think that UH would have won the Big XII had they been in it this year..... I agree the gap is closing, and a lot of it is due to the ineptitude of the Big XII and the poor overall management of programs like UT. The SEC is poaching talent from Texas at a very high level and apparently the Big XII isn't overly concerned about it.
The past isn't relevant now because of the way the system is currently set up. With the playoff, UT could have a slip-up and still have a shot to play for a national title. The same goes for LSU. The poster was spot on as far as that goes. Now if UH lands in a P5 then that changes.
It's champion, no. An undefeated UT or OU, yes. Money still plays a part. UT hopped to #11 based on winning one game. If they or OU win out they are in, period. Different story for the little sisters of the conference.
Depends on who else wins out. The Big 12 is not what it once was. Winning that conference does not automatically make you a top 4 team like it would have 10 years ago. And yes, UT made a ridiculous leap, but it wasn't in the committee rankings, which are the only thing that really matters. Money may play a part, but when you're talking UT/OU money vs other bluebloods, money isn't a factor anymore. (Not to mention the committee was formed specifically to get the money out of the process... at least in theory)
A one loss OU team would make it. If we see seasons like this one, a 1 loss Big 12 Champion will have a very good shot at making the playoff. Championship game rolls out next season.
