From the negotiating room

[LookingForResults]

Just so we are clear and this is a yes or no answer.

SD was responsible for us going 5-7 last year but Luck and Good Fortune is responsible for us going 8-4 this year?

I don't recall assigning responsibility for last year except to say that if one is to credit him this year one must certainly penalize him for last year. Certainly the legacy players that I maintain are the keys to this years success did NOT have the maturity and had NOT assumed the leadership positions that they have this year, so solely from that perspective SD did not have the same level of talent that he has this year even though they are the same players. But why is that? I say it is the personal development of individual players, which is quite evidently on display. Others want to maintain that it is coaching.

The two big difference makers that SD is responsible for are Patton and Lee. But Patton's leadership is unanticipated lagniappe and Lee was brought to his attention by HD and Lee's immediate ability to contribute was rightly but completely unanticipated.

So where does that leave us? With reason I say the primary driver of the team's improvement is unexpected leadership and maturity from individual players and not superior coaching. You and others offer only 8-4 as evidence of superior coaching. I am not in the least swayed by that bit of "evidence."

I do give high credit to SD and the staff for signing Patton and for acting on a tip and inviting Lee to walk-on when ego could easily have prevailed. But again, while the coaches recognized the talent of both players, they are simply the beneficiaries of the intangibles that have made both players "difference makers."

[hookdown]

Y'all please furnish a list of coaches who's contract was renegotiated in year 2.

Not that it means much, but giving a coach an extension and raise after a good year is pretty common in college athletics. It happens at all levels. Here is a partial list of some schools that have given a raise and/or extension this season (some during the middle of the season):


Virginia (2nd year coach)
http://mobile.dailypress.com/p.p?m=b...d=1252271&postUserId=49&sessionToken=&catId=6113&curAbsIndex=0&r esultsUrl=DID%3D6%26DFCL%3D1000%26DSB%3Drank%2523d esc%26DBFQ%3DuserId%253A49%26DL.w%3D%26DL.d%3D10%2 6DQ%3DsectionId%253A6113%26DPS%3D0%26DPL%3D3

Louisville (2nd year coach)
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7119713/charlie-strong-gets-new-7-year-contract-louisville-cardinals

WKU (2nd year coach)
http://wkuherald.com/sports/article_cab39618-1b16-11e1-bb2b-0019bb30f31a.html

Michigan State
http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100811aab.html

Jackson State
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20111201/SPORTS030101/112010352/Com
egy-gets-new-contract-JSU

Miami (1st year coach)
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/54051/al-golden-agrees-to-4-year-contract-extension




By the way, here is the current USA Today database of salaries (and a good article):

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-11-17/cover-college-football-coaches-salaries-rise/51242232/1

In table form and a little easier to dissect (a good number have contracts attached):

http://www.coacheshotseat.com/SalariesContracts.htm

I totally agree that we need to increase the buyout amount to at least a $1M+. Just saying that raises and extensions are not uncommon, for better or worse that is the way it is.

[boxerdog]

SD says he often peruses stats and productivity in order to recruit players. In fact, that's how he landed both Ikharo and Holley both of whom, to my knowledge, had no other offers besides us. I would argue this is what intrigued SD about Lee--even if HD pointed him out to the staff initially.

Another thing I'd credit Dykes with is that he has no tolerance for a sense of "entitlement" when it comes to players. This specific trait is something I've noticed about Dykes himself--he doesn't seem as though he feels entitled or better than anybody with whom he associates. I point it out because this specific trait is fundamentally different than Dykes' predecessor.

From day 1 I contended that Dykes is a football coach--nothing more, nothing less. He has been a refreshing breeze of fresh air on our campus and his pleasant, nonchalant demeanor has had a profound impact upon the players on his team.

[Dawg06]

By the way, here is the current USA Today database of salaries (and a good article):

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-11-17/cover-college-football-coaches-salaries-rise/51242232/1

In table form and a little easier to dissect (a good number have contracts attached):

http://www.coacheshotseat.com/SalariesContracts.htm

The USA Today database is precise, but the Coach's Hot Seat table is not. However, you can get some of the actual contracts from Coach's Hot Seat like you mentioned.

[WWDog]

Well, I suppose everyone will see what they want to see.

mmmm I guess you are not just looking for results then.

[aubunique]

A 5-year contract is something few workers get, regardless of their ability and performance.

[LookingForResults]

mmmm I guess you are not just looking for results then.

On the contrary, results are precisely what I expect - But I expect them UNDER THE CONTRACT THAT WAS AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES.

Just because some schools foolishly waste money on the false hope of retaining some coach by renegotiating his contract is no justification for us to be similarly stupid. There's always more money, power and prestige out there for a winning coach and if that's what he seeks nothing we offer will make a tinker's damn worth of difference.

And how will you feel if there is NO buyout increase?

[dawg80]

On the contrary, results are precisely what I expect - But I expect them UNDER THE CONTRACT THAT WAS AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES.

Just because some schools foolishly waste money on the false hope of retaining some coach by renegotiating his contract is no justification for us to be similarly stupid. There's always more money, power and prestige out there for a winning coach and if that's what he seeks nothing we offer will make a tinker's damn worth of difference.

And how will you feel if there is NO buyout increase?

VERY good post. And, I would at least wait until after the bowl game before even thinking about Dykes' contract. Even then, as stated, the man signed a multi-year contract, with the idea, one would assume, he planned to win here. So, now he does a little of what he was contracted to do, and we start acting all googly-eyed about it?

And to the bigger point, even if Tech raises his salary, he is still GONE for MORE money anytime he and another school decide the time has come.

[PawDawg]

VERY good post. And, I would at least wait until after the bowl game before even thinking about Dykes' contract. Even then, as stated, the man signed a multi-year contract, with the idea, one would assume, he planned to win here. So, now he does a little of what he was contracted to do, and we start acting all googly-eyed about it?

And to the bigger point, even if Tech raises his salary, he is still GONE for MORE money anytime he and another school decide the time has come.

Yep, you got it!

Thanks for the references Hook. It is a much more common business error than I knew existed, but then many ADs aren't business minded, they are PR people.

[PawDawg]

A bird over in Hattiesburg told me that our AD did not own a pair of big boy britches. As I pondered that thought with the SKULL in hand it came to me that he was not referencing testicles. Nay nay, he was alluding to the likelihood that Bruce is a lightweight. Since I do not know the man and would be unaware of his presence unless he kicked Ninfa's Jack Russell, can someone other than Cartek or DogtorEvil enlighten me?

We are on our way out to the Quarter for dinner and drinks with friends, but I look forward to the replies as does Drew, the Jack Russell!






Cheers

Is Drew still capable of producing offspring?

[detltu]

On the contrary, results are precisely what I expect - But I expect them UNDER THE CONTRACT THAT WAS AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES.

Just because some schools foolishly waste money on the false hope of retaining some coach by renegotiating his contract is no justification for us to be similarly stupid. There's always more money, power and prestige out there for a winning coach and if that's what he seeks nothing we offer will make a tinker's damn worth of difference.

And how will you feel if there is NO buyout increase?

That would be an EPIC failure. This should be the only point of renegotiating.

[PawDawg]

That would be an EPIC failure. This should be the only point of renegotiating.

Dykes will get the "Lion's Share" of whatever new benefits are negotiated.

[hookdown]

No new info here, just interesting that we are specifically identified....



http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/02...ch-try-to.html

[detltu]

Dykes will get the "Lion's Share" of whatever new benefits are negotiated.

I hope he get's Bruce's definition of a "Lion's share" and not the actual definition of a lions share. If Dykes gets a dollar more benefit than Tech gets, I am fine with that

As many have said, we aren't going to raise his salary enough to keep the big guys at bay if they want him. We also aren't going to raise the buyout enough to keep the big guys at bay. I am not sold on Dykes yet, although I am impressed with the way we finished this season and winning a WAC championship is nothing to sneeze at. I really don't want to change coaches again though either. We need to make sure that we can cash in if another school comes calling. If we have to increase Dykes base compensation by a hundred thousand to increase his buyout and get us an extra half million if he leaves. I find it much more likely that he will leave early for another school than finish out his 5 year contract. We need to keep his buyout as high as possible.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Pay the man! He's is now and will be worth every penny.