News from a reliable A&M source

[manofmen]

Quoted from 3adownlow.com

I spoke with a guy I used to work with in the Texas A&M Athletic Department Thursday night. Of course lots of rumors are flying right now, but this is what I know as of now. Take it for what you will, but this guy is a dead-on straight shooter with insider knowledge. Thanks to him, I knew about Fran being hired in December 2002 before the media, & also the BCG fall-out last year. It's not what you know but instead who you know right!

See what you think & draw your own conclusions; remember this stuff is very fluid & dependent on many factors:

1. Fran is gone - we all know that - & will receive around $2 million to go away (not full $8.5 million buyout because he broke NCAA rules & his contract with the VIP Connection deal). A&M wants to avoid legal hassles & a bad perception so they will pay him something to leave right after the Texas game. Fran knows this & his reps have been involved in the talks.

2. Lowry Mays & Jerry Cox (2 very influential $$ alumni), among others, are involved in the search. They have Bill Byrne's ear. They also were instrumental in bringing Fran to Aggieland (used Cox's plane), so that is not all good IMO. Byrne did not hire Fran (about 1 week difference coming on board) but he did extend his contract after the 2nd year. Huge mistake obviously on that one.

3. Reps for Steve Spurrier & Butch Davis met with A&M officials this week. Both are very interested in the job. Both would create a much-needed buzz, but I worry about Spurrier's drive at age 62 (recruiting, etc.). Spurrier hates Mack Brown & has referred to him as "Mr. Football" going back to Mack's UNC days. Not a huge fan of Butch Davis as a HC personally.

4. Tommy Tuberville is & was the 1st choice, but A&M has cooled on him for now due to reported huge buyout of $6 million. Tuberville just has to say the word & it's his job if he wants it.

5. A&M is prepared to pay over $3 million per year for new football coach. Not sure of length of deal, but probably in 5-year range with incentives built in too.

6. Mike Sherman is still a possibility, but not on short list right now. That could change though. I have championed his cause for months now - good football coach & familiar with school & expectations from previous 2 stints as asst. coach under Slocum. Some at A&M worry that his outward image resembles Fran too much. That is nonsense because the man is a fine football coach who can recruit & scheme with anyone. He was one of our top recruiters previously during the good times.

7. New coach will be announced early December to move forward with recruiting & start over.

8. More than likely, interim coach from current staff will coach meaningless bowl game (meaningful to kids, not big picture). A&M may also decline a bowl & just move on. That is undecided right now.

9. SMU is hot & heavy for Fran to be their new coach. I think it's a good fit, seriously. He does better at smaller schools in lesser conferences per his track record (TCU, New Mexico, SWT, Pittsburg State). See ya Fran!

10. More to come if I have a good source. Expect changes very soon. Thank goodness.

[Forenci]

I don't think Butch Davis is a superb head coach, but the fact is he's a pretty good recruiter. Kind of a trade off, I suppose.

I am surprised Spurrier would leave to go to A&M with the SC job he has right now, he's doing pretty well too. Would be funny to see him as the head coach as everyone knows he loves recruiting great WR's, despite A&M is a rushing attack right now.

[manofmen]

Originally Posted by Forenci

I don't think Butch Davis is a superb head coach, but the fact is he's a pretty good recruiter. Kind of a trade off, I suppose.

I am surprised Spurrier would leave to go to A&M with the SC job he has right now, he's doing pretty well too. Would be funny to see him as the head coach as everyone knows he loves recruiting great WR's, despite A&M is a rushing attack right now.

He did get some decent running backs this year though didn't he?

[Forenci]

Spurrier? I think so. I know he runs the ball, but he loves to get those big receivers who can catch, and that usually means he likes to pass it a bit more. Of course, it's not always the case - but A&M would need a serious overhaul in the next three years if Spurrier was the coach - as he wouldn't be running an option style attack.

[manofmen]

Ya Spurrier, and you're right he does love those big receivers!

Tommy Tuberville is really who I am hoping for though, at least someone who will show any kind of emotion....Franchione is kind of a downer he doesn't get the team energized at all...