What's the better job: Wake or SMU?

[mrydel]

As a side note on the wife's influence. One of the reasons there was speculation that Saban might have interest in Texas, was that it was rumored his wife was shopping houses in Austin. Word I get from some UT insiders is that his wife shopping houses was true but the reason was that she and Saban were having marital problems and she was considering leaving him. She has either friends or family in Austin, thus the house hunting. Third hand info but I like my source.

[Charleston Pony]

my Bama insider (who is probably a 3rd hand connection to REAL information) says the only reason Saban would leave would be that Bama fans are now too spoiled to success and he feels as if he has to win the national championship every year to be appreciated. Says Texas has not given up on pulling this one off

[East Coast Mustang]

It's all up to the money guys because I doubt SMU is going to make the kind of financial commitment that would be required. I'm guessing the same $2 mil that JJ is getting and more for the assistants than what is being paid now...not to mention any buyout issue with JJ.

Agreed.
I suppose Willie Fritz would be much cheaper, but probably a bigger risk.

People under estimate the influence these guy's wives can have on career decisions, not to mention the timing of moving school age children.

Yep...comfort level for the family is critical.
Probably the reason Patterson has stayed at TCU.

The thing that's intriguing to me about Willie Fritz (besides the fact he's won everywhere he's been) is that he'd turn 54 before next season- he could be our Gary Patterson (without being a complete pr!ck like GP), come here, contend for AAC titles, and then decide to stick around and finish up his career here in Dallas. A guy like Morris or Tom Herman isn't going to do that- they'll always have one foot out the door as soon as they achieve a certain level of success here.

I don't have a problem with young coaches coming here, winning, and then going onto another job. But I think Willie Fritz at around $750K (he makes 250 at SHSU now) plus more money to bring in some dedicated assistants who will recruit, would be a solid option.

[CalallenStang]

my Bama insider (who is probably a 3rd hand connection to REAL information) says the only reason Saban would leave would be that Bama fans are now too spoiled to success and he feels as if he has to win the national championship every year to be appreciated. Says Texas has not given up on pulling this one off

Hey look, it's what I said back in September/October/whenever this was originally speculated on

[TidePony]

He's been out recruiting hard, he's staying.