Tom Herman (Former Head Coach FAU Owls)

[ScriptOhio]

Yes. For two reasons.
1). Because of what we can offer that Houston can't.
If he considers the opportunity at Georgia, (if we even offer and I think we will), he does so with the understanding that our facilities and resources are a significant improvement. Also, It's highly likely we have more money to fund a bigger staff for him (and increased S&C staff) and that matters too!

One thing he needs to consider if he would like to stay another few years at UH, he's going to start losing assistants very quickly if he continues to succeed. That's a common practice anywhere, but do the Cougs have the financial gravitas to make big counter offers to retain assistants or go out and pluck exactly who he wants.
Now certainly, you won't always get a "yes" answer when building a staff. But you don't want to have your hands tied financially either.


2). Because contracts can be renegotiated and increased at the drop of a hat.
If he takes a P5 job and starts winning the league and or qualifies for the CFP in 2-3 years, he's going to get a big time raise! Just like this year.
If he takes the job, he's doing so because it can be something more than the UH position.

Your logic is sound and undoubtedly makes sense to Georgia; however, the bottom line is that in today's market paying "7th in the SEC-type money" just might not get you your guy.

In today's market the "top dog" schools (which Georgia is one ) need to identify who they want and hire him without money being a consideration. They can't be cheap. LSU was willing to throw $15M at Les Miles to get ride of him and that didn't even include what they would pay the new coach.

 

[buckeyesin07]

Yes. For two reasons.
1). Because of what we can offer that Houston can't.
If he considers the opportunity at Georgia, (if we even offer and I think we will), he does so with the understanding that our facilities and resources are a significant improvement. Also, It's highly likely we have more money to fund a bigger staff for him (and increased S&C staff) and that matters too!

One thing he needs to consider if he would like to stay another few years at UH, he's going to start losing assistants very quickly if he continues to succeed. That's a common practice anywhere, but do the Cougs have the financial gravitas to make big counter offers to retain assistants or go out and pluck exactly who he wants.
Now certainly, you won't always get a "yes" answer when building a staff. But you don't want to have your hands tied financially either.


2). Because contracts can be renegotiated and increased at the drop of a hat.
If he takes a P5 job and starts winning the league and or qualifies for the CFP in 2-3 years, he's going to get a big time raise! Just like this year.
If he takes the job, he's doing so because it can be something more than the UH position.

This assumes there are only two jobs (Georgia and Houston) that Herman would consider. I don't think that's the case.

 

[exhawg]

This assumes there are only two jobs (Georgia and Houston) that Herman would consider. I don't think that's the case.

IMO Georgia is the only open job that would be worth Herman leaving Houston for now that USC is off the table. Otherwise he's better to wait it out for a year or two until a job like Texas opens up.

 

[zincfinger]

I can't imagine [UGa would] pay [Tom Herman] $3mm though.

...For two reasons
1)...

Those are reasonable considerations why Georgia wouldn't pay Herman upper-tier SEC money (of course they wouldn't), or even middle-of-the-road, Mark Richt money ($4 million). But Vanderbilt is the only school in the conference that pays their coach less than $3 million per year, at 2.25 million. You think Georgia would offer Herman a Vanderbilt-type salary to coach Georgia? Guys like McElwain and Butch Jones had longer track records as head coaches than Herman has, but they still came from mid-majors and are well into the 3 millions.

Also, the buyout money UGa would have to replace Richt with Herman would be far less, I think, then what UF had to pay to replace Muschamp with McElwain (not sure about UT with the Dooley/Jones switch).

 

[buckeyesin07]

IMO Georgia is the only open job that would be worth Herman leaving Houston for now that USC is off the table. Otherwise he's better to wait it out for a year or two until a job like Texas opens up.

Still not a reason for Georgia to refuse to give him $3 million/year. That all but makes his decision to stay at Houston and, as you point out, wait for another job. Like I said, any way you look at it, Georgia's competition isn't solely Houston.

 

[kujirakira]

He's a Texas guy

He's from California.

But born in Ohio.

Not raised in Ohio.

No true Ohioan...

Yes. For two reasons.
1). Because of what we can offer that Houston can't.
If he considers the opportunity at Georgia, (if we even offer and I think we will), he does so with the understanding that our facilities and resources are a significant improvement. Also, It's highly likely we have more money to fund a bigger staff for him (and increased S&C staff) and that matters too!

One thing he needs to consider if he would like to stay another few years at UH, he's going to start losing assistants very quickly if he continues to succeed. That's a common practice anywhere, but do the Cougs have the financial gravitas to make big counter offers to retain assistants or go out and pluck exactly who he wants.
Now certainly, you won't always get a "yes" answer when building a staff. But you don't want to have your hands tied financially either.


2). Because contracts can be renegotiated and increased at the drop of a hat.
If he takes a P5 job and starts winning the league and or qualifies for the CFP in 2-3 years, he's going to get a big time raise! Just like this year.
If he takes the job, he's doing so because it can be something more than the UH position.

I think you underestimate what Houstons done in the last couple years. Their stadium and facilities are better than most P5 schools at this point. The stadium is particularly beautiful. Think about Oregon's rise here... there is some monopoly money getting thrown into their program with the goal to get a BXII invite.
As far as recruiting, he's in Houston now... and potentially looking at a job like Texas. The level of programs in the hunt for a HC, you're not unique in that regard.
Houston turned around and handed him 3mil... again, deep big pockets currently backing them. I doubt they're going to lose many assistants to lateral jobs.

IMO Georgia is the only open job that would be worth Herman leaving Houston for now that USC is off the table. Otherwise he's better to wait it out for a year or two until a job like Texas opens up.

That's still choosing a 3rd option though. If a school like Georgia is offering less than he makes now... he could easily look at it and say "Georgia isn't serious, I can stay here in a perfect situation making more money and see if a blue blood with rich recruiting that isn't cheap opens up (Texas)"

Those are reasonable considerations why Georgia wouldn't pay Herman upper-tier SEC money (of course they wouldn't), or even middle-of-the-road, Mark Richt money ($4 million). But Vanderbilt is the only school in the conference that pays their coach less than $3 million per year, at 2.25 million. You think Georgia would offer Herman a Vanderbilt-type salary to coach Georgia? Guys like McElwain and Butch Jones had longer track records as head coaches than Herman has, but they still came from mid-majors and are well into the 3 millions.

Also, the buyout money UGa would have to replace Richt with Herman would be far less, I think, then what UF had to pay to replace Muschamp with McElwain (not sure about UT with the Dooley/Jones switch).

McElwain also cost UF a huge buyout. I don't remember the final sticker price that was negotiated down with the aid of paying CSU to visit them a few times.

Edit: $7mil buyout; $3mil cash from UF, $2mil to visit Gainesville and roll over, and $2mil from McElwain himself.

 

[CincyInterloper]

Money talks, and bullshit walks.

 

[matcar]

Still not a reason for Georgia to refuse to give him $3 million/year. That all but makes his decision to stay at Houston and, as you point out, wait for another job. Like I said, any way you look at it, Georgia's competition isn't solely Houston.

I rationally have to agree with everything you are saying. And on top of that, I really think UH could become a strong contender and perhaps gain admission to Big 12. Could be a really great place to coach. But that said, geez, UGA is such a great place to coach. Would be hard to refuse one would think. I still amazes me that UGA has only the Herschel natty after all these years. It may just be a personal bias, but I've always thought of UGA as a top 10 school.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

If they go with Kirby over Herman I will die laughing. Go to Gainesville and ask if defense wins championships.

Hahaha. They are going with Kirby. Georgia will continue to be an 11 win team on their best years. Being at alabam for so long smart hasn't worked with a decent offensive coach in forever.

 

[Dryden]

 

[Dryden]

Sounds as though instead of $3mm, Herman took $2.8mm + $200k for assistants.

---

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/12/04/tom-herman-contract-extension-houston-cougars

Houston coach Tom Herman signed a new five-year contract Friday that pays him approximately $2.8 million annually and includes another $200,000 for his staff, according to a source.

The deal comes after the highly coveted 40-year-old Herman was pursued for several other head-coaching jobs, including South Carolina’s vacancy. His 19th-ranked team hosts Temple on Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

 

[Dryden]

Per amended contract, buyout starts a $2.5, drops to $2.25 in 2017, and collapses to virtually nil if UH does not make a good faith effort to build an indoor practice facility. BoR has 9 months to approve budget for an indoor or Herman's buyout will immediately drop to $1.875 before he's even coached a game in 2016.



This is the proposed "recruit mall" & indoor practice field ...

 

[Dryden]

Looks like Herman secured the commitment of Tyrie Cleveland a few days ago, beating out A&M, TCU, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma.

 

[NFBuck]

Using that Mensa voodoo to woowoo the studs.

 

[NFBuck]

I'm sorry, that was awful. I'll try harder next time. Oh man.