if satan leaves can we say gus helped run him off?

[aubiefifty 17,487]

the meat of the article is about halfway down..............

Well this past week has been a quiet one news-wise BUT don't confuse what is seen by the eye as to what is really going on underneath the surface- as the saying goes "still waters run deep!" A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned that information was going to get scarcer to come by going forward and that in fact has been the case. Why? We'll discuss that in week's edition of Crossfire as well as information that had already been shared as it pertains to the hiring of Steve Patterson and validate some of the information that has been already discussed as it pertains to his hiring. We will also talk in more detail about Terry Saban and her house hunting in Austin. Is it true that Saban upset with the Hicks boys? What does this mean for Nick Saban and his chances of coaching at the 40 Acres next season? We will answer all of that and more in this weeks' "Crossfire."

First, I spoke to my contacts and shared information back and forth over the past few days and as I mentioned in the outset- information is tougher to come by these days. Why is that? Well first of all, things have changed a bit with the hiring of Steve Patterson as AD. One of the things that was shared with me by one of my contacts pertains to keeping things on the "DL". Saban was/is furious about these types of distractions taking place. Noise is clutter and Saban does not like clutter. He detests it! Saban's comment was, "Do these guys even KNOW HOW to go about hiring a Coach?" He was PISSED! Now before anyone panics reading this and says McPhaul is saying Saban aint coming to Austin let me be clear: I AM NOT SAYING THAT! I will get to predictions later I promise! What I AM saying is expect all negotiations to go into "double-secret probation" mode going forward with Patterson at the helm. There's a reason Steve Patterson is respected by agents the way he is. He is a professional and he truly DOESN'T do Clown Shows. Things will be done in a professional, confidential manner going forward with Sexton/Saban.

During my previous "Crossfire" I posted that I had been told that there were a few AD's that Saban would prefer working with as opposed to others. Patterson, Haden (USC), Castilogne, Long (Arkansas), & Tanner (South Carolina's) were all included on the list that Saban would prefer working with. Glaringly missing on that list was Oliver Luck- but why? Keep in mind, Luck was the "odds-on" favorite of the Bellmont establishment. Powers felt comfortable with him as Deloss' replacement. Dodds felt comfortable with him as his replacement. We've been told that Mack was comfortable with Luck as the new AD. So what gives? Well perhaps THAT is the reason at the end of the day Saban didn't include Luck on that list? Perhaps he wanted someone OUTSIDE of the establishment as the new AD? Perhaps he wanted someone that he could go into a relationship with carte blanche from the outset as opposed to an AD that has loyalties with the previous establishment. Keep in mind, Saban has a certain way of doing things and doesn't deviate from that plan. If Luck is AD then Saban's approach to building a program might be compromised and prevent Saban from coming to UT altogether. In contrast, Patterson has been a President at a Professional Sports Program before. Patterson has been hired and Patterson has been fired. That being said, Patterson is the ONLY candidate that has faced all of the adversity of building a franchise/program from the bottom-up with professional organizations AND a Collegiate Athletic

Program None of the other candidates can say this. Debate this if you want but this is what was shared with me.

Furthermore with Patterson as AD, it is expected to be less bureaucratic and more "results oriented" than where we are today. I was told by several of my contacts to a person that one of the things that differentiated Patterson from Luck was the way Patterson talked about the ENTIRE Athletic Department AS A WHOLE and Luck seemed to be more focused on the Football Program throughout the interview process. Being an Athletic Department with more than 1 program limping along right now, that is probably a HUGE selling point to the AD Selection Committee- it would be to me and it was to my contacts!

Another thing to consider is there are currently 500 student athletes and 400 folks in the Athletic Department to support each of those student athletes. With that kind of student athlete/Athletic Department support personnel you are talking about a bureaucratic monster that needs to be DRAMATICALLY reshaped and resized altogether! Hell, we are damned-near looking today at our Athletic Department having a ratio of damned near 1 administrator for every student athlete. As my contact said, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ALL ABOUT?" You would expect if we had an administrator for every student athlete that we would be winning National Championships in EVERY sport we participated in wouldn't you? You sure wouldn't expect that the University of Texas have a JUCO transfer football player not knowing whether or not they are academically qualified to practice/play until the 3rd week of Fall Camp! Keep in mind these 400 bureaucrats loyalties are going to lie with the powers that be that put them into power- namely Deloss Dodds. The bottom line is that that type of model for our Athletic Department cannot sustain itself and remain successful- there is just too much bureaucratic red-tape to hide behind.

Now on to the reason you're REALLY here- what is going on with Saban coming to Texas. Cut to the chase McPhaul! Why is it so quiet on the Saban front? The Hicks' stuff you're referencing concerns us. Well, in the past I have been more conservative than Jesus and others coming in at 60%. Today that number changes. For the worse? For the better? What gives?

From what I hearing, this quiet that we are witnessing means the relationship is very serious. Here is the rub on the Saban front. As I mentioned from the outset, Nick Saban is extremely disappointed in our inability to keep things quiet (Hicks brothers). However Saban is also concerned about our ability to effectively manage the Brown resignation in the time period we had led Sexton/Saban to believe we would receive Mack's resignation by. In addition, Brown still has the ability to make this an ugly situation with each victory with a Big 12 Championship and BCS Bowl all still a possibility.

Saban does not want to appear as the coach that was hired at the expense of forcing the removal of Mack Brown when in reality THAT IS THE CASE! As things stand today, you are hearing it hear first: AS THINGS STAND TODAY, Nick Saban will be the Head Coach at the University of Texas next season. There! I said it! It's out of the bag! Now the fallout from Mack's perspective: from an image standpoint, Mack is extremely upset that his departure from Texas will look like he has been forced out. That is why

his camp has continuously puts out the message that Mack will leave on his own terms when in reality they know it is the end for Mack Brown Texas Football. Understandably so, the members of the Selection Committee are squirming in their collective seats! You could not get anyone one of them to admit in public that they had wished Texas had already lost a game or two more but. Nevertheless, there is no denying that with each win, Mack Brown delays the deals they are trying to cement in bringing Saban to

Austin. Consequently everyone involved from both sides wants the talks about Saban squelched. The good news is Mack has indeed confided to confidants that he is retiring at the end of the year (would match perfectly with his more relaxed demeanor on the sideline and in post-game interviews).

Now for some additional information, I just finalized a conversation with my friend on the Board of Regents and he made an interesting comment. My friend told me that "Hicks absolutely had the blessing of Powers to approach Saban. Hicks got Hall involved for reasons he can't understand. Then he dropped the bombshell that there is money available from the people that you would expect to go and get Saban no matter what the cost." My contact however believes that the money will be so large that eventually

Powers himself will be the person to push back on the finances of the deal. Right now, we're hearing the deal is $8.4M/yr.

Our friend Santa Gertrudis leaked yesterday that Terry Saban had looked at a friend of his home on her last trip to Austin. To reiterate, the price on the home in question was $6.5M, 8,000 sq. ft home. On a different front, Paul Finebaum had been stating that the home in question was being looked at as a home for one of the Sabans' children (age 26 & 21). Santa somewhat debunked the assumption by Paul Finebaum that the house was a purchase for one one of the kids (again, who purchases a 8,000 sq. ft home for $6.5M for their 20 something year old kids as a starter home?). Well what I have learned is that Nick & Terry Saban have put a contract on a house in Austin that will close in late January. The contract would not be publicly available information and the purchaser was an LLC that has not been used before. I heard this prior to what was posted on IT last night, but that information is consistent with what I've been told.

Finally, I have been catching some heat for my 60% belief that Saban will be the Head Coach at the University of Texas next season. My goal is to ALWAYS be truthful to our members and if I post something then it is genuine and NOT pre-fabricated for effect! Having said that, after what I have heard over the past few days I am ready to bump that percentage AS OF RIGHT NOW to 100%! That's right. I said it! 100%. Things change but AT THIS MOMENT UNLESS THINGS CHANGE I am saying it is a 100% chance Nick Saban is the Head Coach at the University of Texas next season. How's that for a "Crossfire?"

Anyway, that's all I've got for now- and that should be enough. Until next week, "Hook em Horns and BEAT THE HELL OUT OF THE COWPOKES!"

[auburnatl1 5,565]

Definitely provocative stuff but where did this article come from? Dear lord it's verbose - ms word meets too much coffee.

[cehuff21 0]

Bolding key points helps... Spaces between paragraphs makes it less intimidating... It's early, I'm tired. I'm not reading that sorry. To answer your question. If Gus beats him and he leaves... You're damn right we are gonna say it!

[aubiefifty 17,487]

hey i finally learned how to paste so give an old geezer a break. i know the post is long but its very interesting.

[eibua12 81]

We can say whatever we want, I however don't think that will be the true reason.

[auburnatl1 5,565]

Honestly, if cns were to leave he might be taking his life in his hands. There's a segment of uat's fan base that ain't right. Lose a game, poison the other teams historical trees.... What do you think they'd do if he left? Seriously. If I were him, part of my decision would involve planning to live in a hidden bunker in Montana for 6 months and then keeping 50 secret service agents around for a decade.

I watched Olympus has Fallen last night so that may be affecting my thinking, but I see parallels.

[DyeHardAllTheWay 0]

I think he'll retire this year or next. I don't think he's leaving the pinnacle of college football right now for a step down.

I DO think he's proven all he can at Bama, and he'll want to settle down.

[AuGrad2004 100]

If CNS leaves bama for any other reason but to retire he will need body gaurds 24/7. Plus all the longhorned cows in Texas will need protection as well. I don't see it happening but the meltdown would be VERY funny.

[aubiefifty 17,487]

8 mil a year plus? if bama does not meet or better his offer i bet he leaves.

[ausburn 159]

The biggest fear I have is for all the scrub oaks in Texas. Think what Harvey might do when he finds out there might be no Saban at bama?

[Stripe 5]

A link would have been much easier on the eyes, as it was I barely skimmed it, it's after lunch and I'm feeling really tired.

IDK where NS goes, another school, retire, whatever...we can absolutely say Gus ran him off. It will sure as hell look that way reguardless of the real reason if he leaves after we beat the turds this year.

[80Tiger 904]

8 mil a year plus? if bama does not meet or better his offer i bet he leaves.

While he would take a raise, it is not about the money. It would be about potentially winning MNC at 3 different schools. It it was about money, he would got to UAT right now and say I need (insert amount here) and they would give it to him.

I have no idea if there is any validity to what the guy writes, but I would not be surprised. I believe Saban is extremely egotistical and I could see him wanting to try to do this and go down as the "greatest college coach ever". He is at UAT because it is a job; not because he loves the place.

[The Freak 2,530]

Does he care about winning at 3 different schools over the total amount? I wouldn't.

[wdefromtx 3,175]

8 mil a year plus? if bama does not meet or better his offer i bet he leaves.

While he would take a raise, it is not about the money. It would be about potentially winning MNC at 3 different schools. It it was about money, he would got to UAT right now and say I need (insert amount here) and they would give it to him.

I have no idea if there is any validity to what the guy writes, but I would not be surprised. I believe Saban is extremely egotistical and I could see him wanting to try to do this and go down as the "greatest college coach ever". He is at UAT because it is a job; not because he loves the place.

At 8mil+, its about the money!!

[auburnatl1 5,565]

UT - another school with a major top 5 inherent recruiting advantage.Throw in USC and UF and he's done the full tour of lowest degree of difficulty schools to turn around.

Btw. Quick stock thought:

The biggest fear I have is for all the scrub oaks in Texas. Think what Harvey might do when he finds out there might be no Saban at bama?

If you're right, buy Dow chemical stock now.

[WarEagle10 77]

I was listening to Brando yesterday. He said there was some "heavy hitter" gumps, that a month ago were saying there is no way saban would leave for another college coaching job, who had recently backed off of that statement. I found that interesting.

IF saban goes to another college, or retires after the season, I will take great pleasure in needling gumps about Gus being the cause of that.

[alexava 6,974]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

[keesler 5,934]

We can say whatever we want to say - Lord knows the crazy turds say whatever they want these days.

[Newbomb 193]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

[keesler 5,934]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

They dang sure got more out of him for the time they did hold on to him than they ever imagined. Those folks never in a million years thought NS would bring this level of success to that program.

[alexava 6,974]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

the psychotherapists in this state would really be busy. crime rates will rise. walmart will have to make cutbacks. inbreeding might slow down due to mass depression.

[alexava 6,974]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

They dang sure got more out of him for the time they did hold on to him than they ever imagined. Those folks never in a million years thought NS would bring this level of success to that program.

me either

[keesler 5,934]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

They dang sure got more out of him for the time they did hold on to him than they ever imagined. Those folks never in a million years thought NS would bring this level of success to that program.

me either

I personally thought it could never happen in "today's college football". With scholarship restrictions and players leaving early for the draft, parity has taken it hold on the sport and few teams are able to consistantly compete at an elite level year after year after year.

[alexava 6,974]

we can say whatever we want. but the reality is they probably ran him off themselves.

Not sure which is better telling them Gus ran Saban off or telling them they had the "Greatest Coach in History" and could not hold onto him.

They dang sure got more out of him for the time they did hold on to him than they ever imagined. Those folks never in a million years thought NS would bring this level of success to that program.

me either

I personally thought it could never happen in "today's college football". With scholarship restrictions and players leaving early for the draft, parity has taken it hold on the sport and few teams are able to consistantly compete at an elite level year after year after year.

I have a good friend who is a reasonable gump. he acknowledges this run will not last too much longer.

[Newbomb 193]

8 mil a year plus? if bama does not meet or better his offer i bet he leaves.

I dont have time to track down the post that is in the rivals section but I posted a couple of weeks back that it was reported that CNS would sign a 10 year 10 million dollar a year contract to coach Texas...