Mack Brown stepping down.

[Just the facts]

At this point given the conference realignments: Alabama/SEC > Texas/NotReallyBigXII I'd be shocked to see Saban in burnt orange, but stranger things have happened.

$7 million > $5 million.

[Laramie]

My worst fears are developing right before my eyes:

Texas Longhorns eyeing Nick Saban to replace Brown - 12-11-2013

Alabama counters...

Nick Saban will apparently have about seven million reasons to rebuff any overtures from the University of Texas.

Updates on Nick Saban's Reported Contract Negotiations with Alabama | Bleacher Report

[soonerguru]

My worst fears are developing right before my eyes:

Texas Longhorns eyeing Nick Saban to replace Brown - 12-11-2013

Nick Saban will apparently have about seven million reasons to rebuff any overtures from the University of Texas.

Updates on Nick Saban's Reported Contract Negotiations with Alabama | Bleacher Report

On the surface, this sucks. However, this will make OU better. This is the kick in the proverbial pants to get Bob Stoops' competitive juices flowing. Also, this would be great for our conference.

[SoonerDave]

My worst fears are developing right before my eyes:

Texas Longhorns eyeing Nick Saban to replace Brown - 12-11-2013

That link also quotes a Dean Blevins tweet. The same Dean Blevins that had Bob Stoops to Florida as a "done deal" a few years back.

Maybe Saban goes, maybe he doesn't. Who knows. If he does, I'm sure not sounding the death knell for OU as some people are. He's obviously a great coach and knows how to win, but I don't think we should start tearing down the stadium in Norman if Saban starts wearing burnt orange next year.

The pressure on Saban to win instantly would, I think, be unparalleled in CFB. In my own feeble head, that level of expectation could simultaneously prove as both the biggest challenge and biggest negative to him making the move; that expectation might convince him to jump to UT from an ego standpoint, just to prove he could do it, but might also convince him not to come from an "I'm already a legend with a pile of money and don't need the pressure or headaches" perspective.

Either way, college football will continue to be played. The panic I'm hearing from some circles needs to be tempered a bit. Remember hearing the same kind of panic when Brown went to Texas in the first place, and we all know how that's turned out.

Let's just see how it goes.

[soonerguru]

That link also quotes a Dean Blevins tweet. The same Dean Blevins that had Bob Stoops to Florida as a "done deal" a few years back.

Maybe Saban goes, maybe he doesn't. Who knows. If he does, I'm sure not sounding the death knell for OU as some people are. He's obviously a great coach and knows how to win, but I don't think we should start tearing down the stadium in Norman if Saban starts wearing burnt orange next year.

The pressure on Saban to win instantly would, I think, be unparalleled in CFB. In my own feeble head, that level of expectation could simultaneously prove as both the biggest challenge and biggest negative to him making the move; that expectation might convince him to jump to UT from an ego standpoint, just to prove he could do it, but might also convince him not to come from an "I'm already a legend with a pile of money and don't need the pressure or headaches" perspective.

Either way, college football will continue to be played. The panic I'm hearing from some circles needs to be tempered a bit. Remember hearing the same kind of panic when Brown went to Texas in the first place, and we all know how that's turned out.

Let's just see how it goes.

His wife was quoted as saying Alabama fans don't appreciate what he's done for their program. Guessing this little flirtation with Texas will remind them what they have.

[kevinpate]

How to Get a pay raise without leaving the office ... ask the missus to buy real estate in Austin.

[Stan Silliman]

How to Get a pay raise without leaving the office ... ask the missus to buy real estate in Austin.

That's a pretty good trick. At the worse you might lose $ 50,000 on your home purchase. Weigh that against a $ 2-3 million per year raise and it seems like small change. Plus the house has the cache for realtors of having belonged to a celebrity.

[PWitty]

At this point given the conference realignments: Alabama/SEC > Texas/NotReallyBigXII I'd be shocked to see Saban in burnt orange, but stranger things have happened.

That's the exact reason why he would leave. The SEC has gotten to the point where Saban has to have his guys firing on all cylinders, for over half the season, to keep themselves in the hunt to play for a title. Back when he first got there it was really just LSU and Florida (different division) that could compete with Bama year in and year out. Now A&M is in the conference and on an upward trend, as well as Missouri, and Auburn seems to have a coach that can lead it to sustained success as well. And since LSU/A&M/AUB are all in Bama's division, that's three TOUGH games every season that are potential road blocks.

Honestly, who in the Big 12 could consistently compete with Saban's squad (assuming they're as talented as his current and previous Bama teams)? OU and OSU? And this is coming from someone who hates the SEC.

I think if anything, Saban would be tempted to come to the Big 12 because it would allow him more room for error over the course of the season. Not to mention he could hand pick pretty much any HS football player from the state of Texas to come play for him.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. And no matter how you feel about UT, a strong UT football program does nothing but elevate this entire conference. The Big 12 needs to get back to what it was a few years ago when there was consistently a team competing for a national title.

[OKCRT]

That's the exact reason why he would leave. The SEC has gotten to the point where Saban has to have his guys firing on all cylinders, for over half the season, to keep themselves in the hunt to play for a title. Back when he first got there it was really just LSU and Florida (different division) that could compete with Bama year in and year out. Now A&M is in the conference and on an upward trend, as well as Missouri, and Auburn seems to have a coach that can lead it to sustained success as well. And since LSU/A&M/AUB are all in Bama's division, that's three TOUGH games every season that are potential road blocks.

Honestly, who in the Big 12 could consistently compete with Saban's squad (assuming they're as talented as his current and previous Bama teams)? OU and OSU? And this is coming from someone who hates the SEC.

I think if anything, Saban would be tempted to come to the Big 12 because it would allow him more room for error over the course of the season. Not to mention he could hand pick pretty much any HS football player from the state of Texas to come play for him.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. And no matter how you feel about UT, a strong UT football program does nothing but elevate this entire conference. The Big 12 needs to get back to what it was a few years ago when there was consistently a team competing for a national title.

Texas run the BigXII and if they get Saban they will rule the BigXII for as long as Saban wants to. This would be bad news for the rest of the BigXII because Saban with his hand picked recruits would be dominating. He would have an easy path to a NC game every year. OU/OSU/Baylor would offer little resistance. The worst thing for the BigXII would be having this guy coaching at Texas. It would be like one Bull and 9 cows and that Bull would be out humping all those cows making little calves. The rest of the BigXII teams need to pray that this doesn't happen. Hope that Art Briles or Sumlin gets that job because if Saban comes in you might as well throw in the towel.

[Laramie]

That's the exact reason why he would leave. The SEC has gotten to the point where Saban has to have his guys firing on all cylinders, for over half the season, to keep themselves in the hunt to play for a title. Back when he first got there it was really just LSU and Florida (different division) that could compete with Bama year in and year out. Now A&M is in the conference and on an upward trend, as well as Missouri, and Auburn seems to have a coach that can lead it to sustained success as well. And since LSU/A&M/AUB are all in Bama's division, that's three TOUGH games every season that are potential road blocks.

Honestly, who in the Big 12 could consistently compete with Saban's squad (assuming they're as talented as his current and previous Bama teams)? OU and OSU? And this is coming from someone who hates the SEC.

I think if anything, Saban would be tempted to come to the Big 12 because it would allow him more room for error over the course of the season. Not to mention he could hand pick pretty much any HS football player from the state of Texas to come play for him.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. And no matter how you feel about UT, a strong UT football program does nothing but elevate this entire conference. The Big 12 needs to get back to what it was a few years ago when there was consistently a team competing for a national title.

Not so fast...

Texas has tougher entrance requirements than many of the current Big XII schools. There's enough talent there and some of that talent has big boosters who want their relatives on the playing field. Texas is a different animal with challenges unforeseen by many aspiring coaches. At 62 does Nick Saban want to go through all of that?

Saban's legacy is signed, sealed and delivered. He made one big bonehead mistake attempting to kick that field goal against Auburn; we'll see how big an EGO he possesses. Some coaches just don't know when to hang it up. Joe Paterno and Mack Brown are the latest to miss the train as it left the station.

[zookeeper]

Not so fast...

Texas has tougher entrance requirements than many of the current Big XII schools. There's enough talent there and some of that talent has big boosters who want their relatives on the playing field. Texas is a different animal with challenges unforeseen by many aspiring coaches. At 62 does Nick Saban want to go through all of that?

Saban's legacy is signed, sealed and delivered. He made one big bonehead mistake attempting to kick that field goal against Auburn; we'll see how big an EGO he possesses. Some coaches just don't know when to hang it up. Joe Paterno and Mack Brown are the latest to miss the train as it left the station.

Entrance requirements for bigtime college football is almost quaint. These days, it's all about the "special admits." For example:

"But not everyone is cut out to be a student; most football players are not. Most do not meet their college's admission standards. Nevertheless, they are enrolled, as "special admits." At Georgia and Texas A&M, not untypically, 94% of freshman football players were special admits. Even with gut courses and special tutoring, barely 50% of college football players graduate." Baltimore Sun

Barely 50% of football players graduate, less than 25% of black football players ever graduate. The "special admit" has blown any thought about "student athletes" out of the water.

Admissions wouldn't be a problem for a Nick Saban at Texas.

[Laramie]

Here is an outstanding coach who several years ago was in a position to move into the Athletic Director's position and had a coach-in-waiting (Will Muschamp). Things were really looking upbeat in Austin. Mack Brown wanted to seal his legacy with one or possibly two more national championship crystal balls before the immaculate transition.

Mack Brown didn't see the danger involved with attempting to win a few national championships as he exited the coaching ranks to replace DeLoss Dodds as Athletic Director. Will Muschamp apparently got tired of waiting or saw what Mack didn't see coming...

A Longhorn political football:

Texas Football Coach Mack Brown Will Reportedly Resign (Or Be Fired) By The End Of This Week:

Texas Football Coach Mack Brown Will Reportedly Resign (Or Be Fired) By The End Of This Week | The Smoking Section





"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Martin]

oh right... it's a real shame that muschamp didn't get the opportunity to coach for ut... he's doing wonders for the gators. i seem to forget which bowl they're going to this year...

-M

[OKCRT]

Here is an outstanding coach who several years ago was in a position to move into the Athletic Director's position and had a coach-in-waiting (Will Muschamp). Things were really looking upbeat in Austin. Mack Brown wanted to seal his legacy with one or possibly two more national championship crystal balls before the immaculate transition.

Mack Brown didn't see the danger involved with attempting to win a few national championships as he exited the coaching ranks to replace DeLoss Dodds as Athletic Director. Will Muschamp apparently got tired of waiting or saw what Mack didn't see coming...

A Longhorn political football:

Texas Football Coach Mack Brown Will Reportedly Resign (Or Be Fired) By The End Of This Week:

Texas Football Coach Mack Brown Will Reportedly Resign (Or Be Fired) By The End Of This Week | The Smoking Section





"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

I have to disagree with Brown being a good coach I think he's average. In fact I think just about any average coach could have done what he has done with the resources he's had to work with. Stoops is a good coach and if he was running the program down there he would have many more titles hanging on the wall than Brown does IMO. Now Saban is a great coach and pray he doesn't go to Texas. Texas has always been able to cherry pick the recruits they want. If Saban gets there he will not only cherry pick Texas but Ga. Fl. or anywhere else he wants to venture.

[ou48A]

On the surface, this sucks. However, this will make OU better. This is the kick in the proverbial pants to get Bob Stoops' competitive juices flowing. Also, this would be great for our conference.

This^ +
He will make Texas better but don't fear Saban at Texas like a lot of the local sports media is pushing.

Why.... because unlike at Alabama not everybody at Texas is going to be on the same page..
There is so much factional in fighting at UT among their biggest boosters that it wouldn’t be long before this was a big distraction for Saban..... All the big shots will want his ear..... He did not have this distraction at Alabama at least on this scale.
Saban is almost 63 years old.... Even if he does take the UT job he is not going to be their for a long time.

[PWitty]

I have to disagree with Brown being a good coach I think he's average. In fact I think just about any average coach could have done what he has done with the resources he's had to work with. Stoops is a good coach and if he was running the program down there he would have many more titles hanging on the wall than Brown does IMO. Now Saban is a great coach and pray he doesn't go to Texas. Texas has always been able to cherry pick the recruits they want. If Saban gets there he will not only cherry pick Texas but Ga. Fl. or anywhere else he wants to venture.

Slow your roll there buddy. I wouldn't say Mack Brown is just an average coach. UT was straight dominant for a good 9 year stretch, but I'll admit they have fallen off the last 4 years. And don't try and act like Stoops doesn't have the same kind of tools at his disposal. OU is still one of the top 5 programs in the country, prestige wise, and historically OU has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Texas HS football recruits besides UT. Stoops has had some pretty phenomenal talent in Norman recently and he doesn't have any more to show for it than Mack Brown.

And I'm a KU grad from KC so my opinion is totally unbiased, which I'm assuming is the opposite of yours I just had to step in before it turns into a Stoops>Brown thread.

[PWitty]

Texas run the BigXII and if they get Saban they will rule the BigXII for as long as Saban wants to. This would be bad news for the rest of the BigXII because Saban with his hand picked recruits would be dominating. He would have an easy path to a NC game every year. OU/OSU/Baylor would offer little resistance. The worst thing for the BigXII would be having this guy coaching at Texas. It would be like one Bull and 9 cows and that Bull would be out humping all those cows making little calves. The rest of the BigXII teams need to pray that this doesn't happen. Hope that Art Briles or Sumlin gets that job because if Saban comes in you might as well throw in the towel.

Even if Saban was dominant for a few years at UT, it would still be great for the Big 12. Like others have said, he is old and won't be there for too long even if he does end up there. We have to face facts, the last several years the Big 12 has been pretty much non-existent on a national scale. Nobody cares about Big 12 football outside of the Big 12. All anyone cares about is Oregon in the Pac 12, and the SEC. The SEC has run the show for what, 7 years in a row? If Saban came in and led UT to a national title, it would get the Big 12 back on the big stage and regain some of the luster it has lost over the last several years. Heck, he wouldn't even have to win! Just having him go to UT would put all eyes on Texas and the Big 12 conference. Look at the SEC for instance. Most SEC teams don't play any real competition outside of their conference schedule, so all anyone has to do is put up a good fight against Bama and all of a sudden the media is in love with them. I don't see how anyone could think Saban being at UT would be anything but great for the conference, outside of OU fans who just don't want to see it happen.

[adaniel]

Texas run the BigXII and if they get Saban they will rule the BigXII for as long as Saban wants to. This would be bad news for the rest of the BigXII because Saban with his hand picked recruits would be dominating. He would have an easy path to a NC game every year. OU/OSU/Baylor would offer little resistance. The worst thing for the BigXII would be having this guy coaching at Texas. It would be like one Bull and 9 cows and that Bull would be out humping all those cows making little calves. The rest of the BigXII teams need to pray that this doesn't happen. Hope that Art Briles or Sumlin gets that job because if Saban comes in you might as well throw in the towel.

Don't know if I completely agree with this.

Texas is not the dream job a lot of people have made it out to be. They have a lot of money for sure. But they've always had a lot of money and look what it has to show for it. As it stands now, UT athletics is in a state of disarray. Football, basketball, baseball, etc have all fallen off bigtime in the past 5 years. As an OU alum I would take heart in it if it OU wasn't so tied to the hip to them. There are lots of reasons as to why, but the main one is money corrupts, and their are way too many cooks in the kitchen, in terms of who's in charge at UT. Really an overall void in leadership, and Dodd was not getting it done. There is also a definite good-ole-boy contingent of people and coaches in the HS system that have to be kept happy in Texas. It exists everywhere, but given the cutthroat level of competition of TX HS athletics and overall size of the state it is worse there than anywhere else. FWIW I am the son of a school administrator in a pretty large ISD down there; let's just say I've seen some things. Say what you will about Mack Brown but he is (was?) very good at navigating this world. I think with much more parity in CFB most coaches would not have the patience to do so.

For these reasons and more I am still not convinced Saban is going anywhere. I am stunned how many UT fans, donors, and alumni, most who are pretty smart people, have bet the house on obtaining him. UT has backed itself into a corner here, and anything short of getting Saban will be seen as a failure that will ultimately handicap whatever coach they do settle on. Simply put, lots of folks have drank the "We're Texas" Kool aid and are convinced that the UT prestige (Ha!) and cash will cause him to leave a job and thriving program that he has 110% control over to one that is a shell of itself and one where he has to answer to every Tom Dick and Harry in the state. Sorry just not seeing it.

[kwhey]

Mack Brown to remain Texas head coach, according to report - SBNation.com

http://www.sbnation.com/college-foot...-alabama-coach

[Jersey Boss]

But, but, but.... "Mark it down Saban is in @ 115 million 10 year deal. Already closed on a new house in Austin. Alabama kids are already decommitting from the tide." "Mack brown is stepping down its fact. Will happen either Thursday or Friday. I won't give up my source but it's 100% accurate. The thread title is accurate."

[ou48A]

Alabama Athletics ‏@UA_Athletics
"We are excited about the future and the University of Alabama is where I plan to end my coaching career." - Head Coach Nick Saban

[Mississippi Blues]

Mark it down, Garin, his thread, & his sources are 100% laughable.

[BrettM2]

So if I can't trust Garin with Texas football scoops, can I trust him regarding the age of the Earth and Niagara Falls? I feel so lost...

[kevinpate]

Perhaps the OP's original source was The Onion?

[Laramie]

Yeah! Mack has one lifeline left. He deserves at least another year.