Can You Believe We Are Outbidding GA Tech???

[huskerpony]

I think we do have the money. If the reports are true that we came up with 10-12 mil, that is on top of what the Athletic Department was already paying Bennet--over 500 K. So, a five-year contract could easily be 2.5 mil guaranteed with the other 2 mil left for assistants and incentive packages.

what about the buyout for bennett? you're not leaving enough room in there for assistants/coordinators - $400,000 for assistants isn't enough. and the Athletic Dept wasn't footing the bill for Bennett either. the majority of that salary came from donors as well.

you ususally have good insight here, but i will tell you that I know (not think) we don't have the money to pay $2.2-$2.5.

You're probably right. What was Bennett's buyout? I thought there were reports that we didn't have to pay it if he got another job and goes to Baylor? Wasn't his contract extension only for a couple of years?

As far as assistant's salaries, that should already be in the budget, unless we are upping the assistant salaries by a lot too. Usually assistants' contracts are only 1 year, so we should only have to buyout the current assistants through May.

Regardless, if we need to come up with an extra $1-2 mil in donations, don't you think RGT and Steve-O could pull that off? Maybe not. They could have tapped everything everyone is willing to give at this point.

[OR-See-Nee]

On behalf of all Pony Fans everywhere, I want to publicly thank those who ponied up the $$$ to make this search possible.

I certainly don't have the $$$ to make a dent in this thing. If I did, I would. I'm just a humble fan.

But there are people who believe in this school, in this team, and in the bright future ahead.

Again, I thank those who put significant cash on the table (that so many of us are ready to spend) so that we can have the opportunity to be in bidding wars--whether real or perceived--with other schools (especially BCS schools)!

Thank you.

[PonyTime]

what about the buyout for bennett? you're not leaving enough room in there for assistants/coordinators - $400,000 for assistants isn't enough. and the Athletic Dept wasn't footing the bill for Bennett either. the majority of that salary came from donors as well.

you ususally have good insight here, but i will tell you that I know (not think) we don't have the money to pay $2.2-$2.5.

This was my question yesterday...this board is throwing around a $2-$2.5MM salary like it's pocket change. First, SMU was going to be willing to pay $1MM, then it was $1.5MM, now it's $2MM+???? I think it's great for the fans that SMU is willing to step up financially but there is a ceiling at some point.

ReedFrog - You have to understand - this SMU crowd is so tired of losing (except when playing TCU in basketball) that they want to win the award for paying the most for their football coach just so that they can say that they beat our GA Tech for the HC.

Is this wise? - no (I agree with you). I would rather have a lesser coach with stud assistants who can recruit.

Don't get me wrong - I love PJ - but there HAS to be a limit . . .

[OC Mustang]

Don't get me wrong - I love PJ - but there HAS to be a limit . . .

There is, but we are past the buoys now. If they do get Paul Johnson, that is a career-ending salary that they will pay him if he doesn't work out. If they don't, they have upped the ante enough that it'll be a real let-down if we don't get someone that costs that kind of coin.

I like the idea of the solid coach with great assistants who can recruit to a man and coach the x's & o's. If PJ is that guy, fantastic. But if he isn't, I'm thinking Chris Farley "DOH! That'll leave a mark!"