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Tom Herman (Former Head Coach FAU Owls)

http://www.campusrush.com/big-12-expansion-houston-cougars-football-1965479371.html

THE GREAT NEGOTIATION: WILL THE BIG 12 CHOOSE HOUSTON AND LONG-TERM STABILITY OR STICK WITH SHORT-SIGHTED THINKING?
BY PETE THAMEL
09 AUGUST 2016

Imagine Warren Buffett not buying a stock for his portfolio because it may make too much money. Imagine a Major League Baseball general manager not promoting a player because he could outperform an established one. Imagine a college admissions office not taking a candidate because they might outsmart the other students.

Those scenarios are being bandied around in the Big 12 right now, as the league discusses admitting the University of Houston as an expansion candidate. Only a conference as shortsighted as the Big 12 would consider Houston's vast football potential as an argument against bringing it into the league. Even for a conference long defined by schools ignoring the conference's greater good, the discussion around Houston is stunningly myopic.

Until recent weeks, the Cougars were considered an outsider in the Big 12 expansion derby. They have inserted themselves into the conversion, but not based on their rising football program, elite recruiting territory or the fact that they are in the nation's fourth-largest city. No, Houston has become a bigger factor in Big 12 expansion because the University of Texas and Texas governor Greg Abbott began public lobbying for it.

There's still opposition, as schools like Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have mined Houston in recruiting for years and don't want added competition there. Others like Baylor and TCU are concerned about enabling another school that could someday leap them in the Big 12's pecking order. And because of that, the conference continues to be defined by the short-term thinking that has undermined its long-term stability since its creation in 1994. Iowa State president Steven Leath has called the league "Texas heavy."

"If they get into the Big 12 they will be tough to beat in recruiting because of the proximity," Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel told Kansas.com.

TCU coach Gary Patterson hinted at Houston when saying recently, "it's not the conference's job to make the university better." No, the conference's job is to look out for the greater good of the conference. And Patterson well knows what an affiliation with the Big 12 can do for a school. He's lived it.


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http://www.campusrush.com/big-12-expansion-houston-cougars-football-1965479371.html

THE GREAT NEGOTIATION: WILL THE BIG 12 CHOOSE HOUSTON AND LONG-TERM STABILITY OR STICK WITH SHORT-SIGHTED THINKING?
BY PETE THAMEL
09 AUGUST 2016

Imagine Warren Buffett not buying a stock for his portfolio because it may make too much money. Imagine a Major League Baseball general manager not promoting a player because he could outperform an established one. Imagine a college admissions office not taking a candidate because they might outsmart the other students.

Those scenarios are being bandied around in the Big 12 right now, as the league discusses admitting the University of Houston as an expansion candidate. Only a conference as shortsighted as the Big 12 would consider Houston's vast football potential as an argument against bringing it into the league. Even for a conference long defined by schools ignoring the conference's greater good, the discussion around Houston is stunningly myopic.

Until recent weeks, the Cougars were considered an outsider in the Big 12 expansion derby. They have inserted themselves into the conversion, but not based on their rising football program, elite recruiting territory or the fact that they are in the nation's fourth-largest city. No, Houston has become a bigger factor in Big 12 expansion because the University of Texas and Texas governor Greg Abbott began public lobbying for it.

There's still opposition, as schools like Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have mined Houston in recruiting for years and don't want added competition there. Others like Baylor and TCU are concerned about enabling another school that could someday leap them in the Big 12's pecking order. And because of that, the conference continues to be defined by the short-term thinking that has undermined its long-term stability since its creation in 1994. Iowa State president Steven Leath has called the league "Texas heavy."

"If they get into the Big 12 they will be tough to beat in recruiting because of the proximity," Kansas State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel told Kansas.com.

TCU coach Gary Patterson hinted at Houston when saying recently, "it's not the conference's job to make the university better." No, the conference's job is to look out for the greater good of the conference. And Patterson well knows what an affiliation with the Big 12 can do for a school. He's lived it.


Cont'd ...

I think they miss the forest for the trees.
While I'm sure those are all legitimate concerns, the Conference is simply over-expanded in Texas. Just compare the Big 3 recruiting states.

Florida has 3 P5 members: UF, FSU, Miami
California has 4 P5 members: USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal
Texas has 5... and this article is talking about going to 6 like it's not a problem.

What the article really highlights is the debacle losing Aggy to the SEC was. Even with an over-saturated presence in the State, they've lost significant ground to SEC competitors now that Aggy has opened the door.
It also outlines what a debacle it was to lose the other flagships - CU, Missouri, and Nebraska.

His only real argument is what happens to the conference when OU and UT inevitably jump ship. At that point it doesn't matter because you're a Mid Major anyway. He's looking to salvage the conference as a high-end Mid Major... the BXII is trying to find a desperate solution to remain intact and keep the 2 name programs from leaving. Adding Houston may marginally benefit the former... though what Houston gets out of it is a collective "meh". And does nothing for the latter.
BYU moves the needle a bit more while expanding their regional and national exposure. Given the smattering of religious schools, will a Mormon one be an issue? After that, there are no clearcut good choices. Cinci seems most rational to supplement WVU with some market potential. Similar with CSU. UCF would be a big gamble in several ways -- it'd be brave and with an eye to the future but does the conference have 10 years to wait for it? I wonder. Tulane would also be interesting and a good offensive move against the SEC. I'm actually surprised that one isn't discussed more given their presence in NOLA. I get they'd never be competitive... but UT loves having whipping boys and needs every non-competitive small fish that expands geography that they can find.
If they're serious about fixing the BXII, I think they need bigger changes than just adding 2. Somehow they need to go on the offensive against P12 and SEC poaching. Maybe they need to trade TTech for UH. Working in East NM - Lubbock and Amarillo are the closest civilizations - and tbh there's not much out there and it's not growing. The conference isn't gaining anything being out there. Speaking of NM, Albuqurque/Santa Fe have to have some kind of DIA school? Not like the BXII cares about academics.


TLDR: The BXII has lost significant ground to the SEC in Texas recruiting/ratings/marketing thanks to Aggy. And simultaneously become more insular after losing 3 non-Texas flagships. Their geographic footprint has shrunk while also losing market share in that same footprint. It's a very ugly situation.
Will anointing 6th P5 school in Texas fix that? I don't think it can.
 
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http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...om-herman-patterned-their-success-urban-meyer

Six things Tom Herman and Houston swiped from Urban Meyer

Aug 9, 2016
Jared Shanker, ESPN Staff Writer

One week had passed since a Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl win served as Houston's biggest bowl celebration in 35 years and doubled as the Cougars' declaration as a future playoff revolutionary.

Tom Herman, who days earlier stood overwhelmed atop a Georgia Dome stage, was clearing space. Not for two sterling trophies but for his family. The first-time head coach who went 13-1 in his inaugural season was cleaning his garage.

The luster of a conference championship and New Year's Six trophy for Houston didn't wear off after a week. It was wiped clean. It was time for Herman's 2016 to to-do list, which constituted a Saturday of housework.

Cont'd ...

http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...om-herman-patterned-their-success-urban-meyer
 
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http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...looking-more-like-a-power-five-program-082116

Tom Herman's UH Cougars looking more like a Power Five program
By Bruce Feldman
Aug 21, 2016 at 12:53p ET

I got to Houston early Thursday morning for at 7 AM practice. It was steamy, as in you're sweating by your third step out of the car. Last time I remember being around a place that humid to watch a team practice was Miami years ago. I was surprised at just how physical UH practiced. There was a ton of hitting. And the Cougars don't look like the typical non Power 5 when it comes to their length and size. Their D-line jumps out at you. True freshman Ed Oliver is a beast. He wears No. 10 and he stands out for a lot of reasons. I'm not sure he's really 6-2 as listed, but man, is he explosive. He's also really good with his hands, especially for being so young. Same with his relentless effort. I noticed times where he had two guys on him and he still was powering his way into the play. He was even running down the field on kickoff coverage. He is going to be a huge problem for opponents this fall and I expect he's going to dominate the AAC. The other Cougar D-linemen around him were impressive too, and their entire front seven looked strong.

The other headliner is QB Greg Ward Jr. His motion and size at about 5-10, 187, aren't textbook, but he's a superb athlete and he was really accurate. From talking to him a little after practice, it was obvious how well he has bought into Tom Herman's approach and how much he and his teammates get the accountability part of this turnaround here.

Kyle Allen, the Texas A&M transfer sitting out this fall, got a lot of reps at this practice I saw and looked like the former blue-chip recruit that he was. One of the coaches remarked about Allen's ability to stay focused for extended periods of time. That's a great quality to have particular for a college player amid brutal heat and humidity when they also know they have no chance of playing in a game this fall.

I heard some really good things about Texas transfer RB Duke Catalon. He's a more dynamic runner than anything UH had in the backfield last year, and should be a good compliment to Ward. We'll see how much depth they have behind Catalon though. Young Mulbah Car, a true freshman from Liberia that I wrote about earlier this summer, had a few nice runs but he's going to have to step it up. I know the coaches were making a point to show him an effort tape they have of one of Herman's former stars from Ohio State, Ezekial Elliott to stress the details of playing the position at a high level.


Cont'd ...
 
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http://www.papercitymag.com/culture...ick-wright-university-houston-football-fight/

Tom Herman’s 610 AM Ban is Hilarious and Justified: Coach Stands Up to Anti-UH Radio Giant
BY CHRIS BALDWIN
08.30.16

Tom Herman isn’t interested in lunch — or fake media-friendly conversations. Instead, University of Houston’s football coach is taking the fight to 610 AM in ways that the Houston sports radio behemoth is unaccustomed to and clearly unready to handle.

Just months after infamously turning down ex-610 AM host Nick Wright’s on-air lunch request cold, Herman pulled his regular weekly spot from another show on the station. This means that 610 could go through what’s arguably the most-anticipated University of Houston football season ever without any direct access to the hottest football coach in America. One who happens to reside in their own backyard. But hey, no one will break down possible fourth-string Texans defensive lineman rotations better!

It’s no surprise that Herman’s found 610 AM so offensive. The station is full of consistently anti-UH voices. This is a group that collectively derided UH product Case Keenum during his run with the Texans, disparaging and dismissing one of Houston’s greatest players ever without waiting for any actual evidence. In fact, Keenum had to leave Houston to get a fair media shot in the NFL. The largely positive press Keenum is now receiving from Los Angeles’ mega media outlets paints the anti-Keenum 610 AM campaigning in an even harsher light in retrospect.

But Keenum was just one example of the type of “Cougar High” demeaning that long ran rampant on 610. It’s something an outsider can quickly pick up on. I didn’t grow up in Houston. I have no ties to UH whatsoever. And yet, within six months of listening to sports talk radio in Houston, 610’s treatment of the city’s largest university jumped out at me.

The station tried to change its ways toward the end of Herman’s wholly-unexpected 13-1 debut season last fall, but to anyone who listened to 610 in years past it came across like sycophants desperately leaping for a bandwagon. Still, Herman likely would have been fine with that — his whole H-Town Takeover is geared around getting more people in the city onboard with UH football — if 610 hadn’t turned its sudden interest into a platform for radio bozos to claim insider knowledge.

Cont'd ...

---

Here's the crew that lost their access to Coach Herman on-air:

http://embed.radio.com/clip/6090862...2016/&rollup_ga_id=UA-2438645-53&station_id=3
 
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I hope to hell that Urban sticks around here for a long, long time. But the day that he leaves, I hire Tom back here in a heartbeat. Might be hard to hire him away from Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, or whatever top-tier program he'll be coaching by that time.

Peace
 
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http://www.campusrush.com/houston-cougars-football-beat-okalahoma-upset-1998298989.html

'THEY'RE ALL GOING TO KNOW MY NAME NOW': A WEEK INSIDE THE WALLS WITH HOUSTON AS IT PREPARED TO STUN OKLAHOMA
BY PETE THAMEL
06 SEPTEMBER 2016

It's 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. Houston's two team buses pull up in front of NRG Stadium, where about 2,000 Cougars fans are lined up outside the gates. As the players disembark and walk past a sea of screaming followers flashing the three-finger paw sign, a scene normally reserved for an SEC or Big Ten school, coach Tom Herman asks with a smile, "Where were all these people for Texas State last year?"

Herman has spent the past 20 months at Houston with a simple goal: Change the world. And no game offers a better opportunity than the matchup with No. 3 Oklahoma, an 11-point favorite. After going 13–1 in 2015 and finishing No. 8 in the country, their highest season-ending ranking since 1979, the Cougars begin this season No. 15—high enough that they could crash the College Football Playoff. But there's even more at stake: Houston, a member of the American Athletic Conference, is eyeing a spot in the Big 12, which is exploring expansion. The university is meeting with conference officials in Dallas the week after the game, making it a potentially ideal showcase for the streaking program.

To show how far the Cougars and their coach have come, Herman tells a story about recruiting in Dallas as an assistant at Texas State in 2006. He got an invitation to have dinner at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse with a group that included Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. Herman, who made about $42,000 at the time, couldn't afford the meal, so he ordered a cheeseburger and drank water while, as he recalls, Stoops and his crew ate lobster tails and filets and drank $200 bottles of red wine. At the end, Stoops suggested everyone throw down a credit card to split the bill. Herman chipped in an equal share, $150, before calling his wife to apologize. "There's no way," Herman says, "I could be that guy [splitting the check] in front of Bob Stoops."

Ten years later Herman found himself across the table from Stoops again, and he gave Sports Illustrated full game-week access to see how the world has already changed.

At 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Herman struts into his office belting out Ace Hood lyrics: "I woke up in a new Bugatti." Safeties coach Craig Naivar wears an AC/DC T-shirt to a staff meeting because "my Guns N' Roses shirt is dirty." And after an offensive staff meeting ends one night when Texans receiver Braxton Miller shows up wearing a T-shirt adorned with action shots of himself, offensive coordinator Major Applewhite can only laugh and say, "There's not a tent big enough for this circus."

When Herman came to Houston from Ohio State, where he was the co–offensive coordinator, he told his football operations director, Fernando Lovo, he wanted to conduct an experiment: "We're going to win a lot of games, and we're going to have a lot of fun doing it."

Fun reflects Herman's personality: He named his two-year-old son Maverick after the character from Top Gun, and he dubbed his nine-year-old Maddock Thomas Danger Herman so he could channel Austin Powers and tell girls, "Danger is my middle name." Before one practice this week Herman dances like an overserved wedding guest, an air doggy paddle to Icona Pop's teenage anthem, "I Love It."

An appropriate tune, since love is the other aspect of Herman's philosophy, which emerges from what he calls the "why." Houston's why is love, and players are encouraged to work hard and play for one another more than for themselves. All week Herman pounds home the message: "We genuinely love the guy next to us. When you line up against Oklahoma, you know your 'why' is better, your purpose is greater." All this frivolity and fondness is laid over a foundation Herman picked up at his previous stop. Herman and his staff are relentlessly organized and plan out every conceivable detail. "It's as if [Ohio State coach Urban] Meyer's program and Plan to Win is being executed by Tom Cruise's character in Risky Business," says graduate assistant Dan Carrel, a former Buckeyes aide. With all eyes on them this week, the Cougars plan to produce plenty of PDA and to dance as if no one is watching.

Cont'd ...
 
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http://www.campusrush.com/houston-cougars-football-behind-scenes-1998362202.html

BEHIND THE SCENES AT HOUSTON: 11 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TOM HERMAN, ED OLIVER AND THE COUGARS PROGRAM
BY PETE THAMEL
06 SEPTEMBER 2016

HOUSTON — To report on Houston's game against Oklahoma on Saturday, I spent the week embedded with the Cougars football program. Along with veteran SI photographer John McDonough, who joined me Thursday morning, I got to experience the manic, Red-Bull-fueled, wise cracking University of Houston football experience.

The Cougars' tempo and swagger on the field certainly carries over to their daily activities, as at times it felt like a dance party masquerading as a football program. The Houston football experience is an assault on the senses, as the high-energy Herman sets a quick-twitch tone on the field and a quick-witted one off it.

Here are 11 things from the cutting-room floor from my SI magazine story from behind the scenes with the Cougars.

1. Since the story looked at Houston holistically instead of dialing into the Xs and Os, I didn't get too much into Houston's staff. It would be surprising if there's a better mid-major staff in the country, as both offensive coordinator Major Applewhite and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando project as future head coaches. And likely soon.

Tom Herman somehow convinced Orlando to stay on staff despite Wisconsin, Orlando's alma mater, courting him to return as defensive coordinator in the off-season. Texas A&M and Oklahoma both tried to land defensive line coach Oscar Giles, who decided to stay with Houston. Both Orlando and Giles turned down more money to stick around.

Much of the allure is working for Herman, who said he's made a conscious effort to remain "one of the guys" while still being motivating, demanding and clearly in charge. The only coach who left after the 13–1 debut season was Drew Mehringer, the receivers coach who left for Rutgers and a raise from $120,000 to $450,000 and play calling duties. "As ballyhooed as this 2016 recruiting class was," Herman said, "the best recruiting we did was keeping eight of our nine assistants."

Cont'd ...
 
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Tom Herman is in line for a massive salary bonus if Houston joins the Big 12

chick-fil-a-peach-bowl-florida-state-v-houston.jpg


If the Cougars join the Big 12, Herman is about to get PAID. He'd go from his $3 million annual salary now, to $5.5 million over the next two years, a number which would put him in line with some of college football's highest paid head coaches.

Entire article: http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...kings-texas-longhorns-texas-a-m-aggies-090616
 
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So, if Herman remains the "it" guy in coaching and Texas, LSU, USC, Auburn, and ND all have openings at the end of the season, what's the over/under on his next salary?

I'm more interested in the O/U on mass mid season firings once the first occurs and the bidding for Tom Herman begins. Impatient boosters will not want to be frozen out.
 
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