Looks like there might be some fire with all the smoke. And Saban's bad realestate deals are well documented in Baton Rouge.
"Burnt Orange
Express
Friday, December 13, 2013 Vol. 5 Ed. 138
As the days prolong, the drama amplifies. As the rumors grow more rampant, the thirst for definitive knowledge is eagerly sought like a stream in the desert. Still there remains no official announcements from two schools that went in contrasting directions after they played in Pasadena. But just as they were almost four years ago, Texas and Alabama, Mack Brown and Nick Saban, form a link captivating the curious minds of a nation wondering what’s next? As I type in the epicenter of this crazy saga, one thing I can confirm is that Austin has been abuzz all week about the futures for this sport’s highest-salaried skippers. The speculation, the hit of a refresh button, the nonstop gossip, well, it is nearly over. Answers are coming soon and my source predicts what they will be.
Will: So I had to double-dip from the salsa bowl this week and talk to you again because this situation with Mack Brown and Nick Saban continues to be fluid. You previously said we should be worried if there’s nothing official by Thursday. Do we need to be?
Informant: There’s no need to panic, everything is falling into place very nicely. I said that a few days back because I was fearful that no official information released by Thursday could indicate some very negative things were transpiring within the university. That’s not the case at all, thankfully. First off, Bill Powers got enough votes during the BOR meeting to stay in office and due to that stability we can now move forward in this Mack Brown / Nick Saban drama. Just like I had thought would be the case, Mack is playing along with the agreement of his buyout terms and will be giving up his head coaching position in a matter of days. The end is near for his tenure and it’s looking better and better too that the start of Nick’s career in town will occur shortly thereafter.
Will: Great to hear. Were the reports that Mack was trying to be stubborn on his way out a false alarm or did they have merit?
Informant: I think for a little while there he was trying to flex some muscle, or at least his staunchest supporters were, so that he’d get the type of compensation package he wanted. Perhaps more than that, I think he was really miffed when the story on Tuesday leaked about his impending resignation. All along I’ve told you how important it was to Mack that the announcement have a look to it he wasn’t being forced out. Consequently, he wanted to control the narrative and go public with the info on his timing so that it could appear he wasn’t being told to leave. When that story broke, obviously it jeopardized that goal and that’s why we’re now at the end of the week with no official announcement. But Mack wasn’t ever going to hurt this school and trying to fight this thing off would’ve indeed done that. He’ll be paid handsomely to head off into the sunset and in no way will he be an outcast from here.
Will: What are you hearing in regards to specific dollar amounts for this ‘compensation package’ Brown will be receiving?
Informant: I’ve been told he’ll get a $4 million payment up front which is more than the actual buyout amount in his contract. In the remaining years on his contract he’ll receive a $1.3 million check from the university. So all told by 2020 when his contract is up he’ll have earned more than $10 million from the school without ever blowing a whistle. That’s a very nice severance package if you ask me. It’s still uncertain if he’ll serve in any figurehead role with the school but I bet they will give him some useless title.
Will: Do you have any clue as to an accurate timeline for when we can expect the university and Mack to make this official?
Informant: My hunch would be sometime this weekend. Like I said, I think it would have been announced by now had the leak not have gotten out a few days ago. Since it did the whole thing got pushed back and with the team banquet now coming up on Friday night I would be surprised if you hear any of this mentioned before that. In typical Brown fashion, he wants the attention to be on the players during the banquet and not have it turn into a celebration for him. So I think that will be the final impediment prior to an official announcement on Saturday or Sunday. At this point it’s decided and finalized, they’re just waiting for the proper time.
Will: I guess we’ll have to wait just a little bit longer then. OK, onto to Nick Saban … I want to delve into the many reasons he is strongly considering going to Texas. You mentioned these briefly the other day but let’s begin with the financial aspect of it all …
Informant: It can’t be emphasized enough that Nick Saban is not potentially coming here because we can offer him just an insane salary per year. It will be the highest of any coach in the sport but Alabama could come close to matching it if they want. That’s not the persuading issue for the Saban’s whatsoever. What is a big factor is that his net worth isn’t nearly as high as some would presume given the current contract he has in Tuscaloosa. Nick and Terry Saban have lost several millions from shaky investment deals at both LSU and Alabama and you can understand their disdain for these alumni bases when you take into account both of them are approaching the standard retirement age and their bank account is very bleak in that regard considering what it should be. We’re talking losses in the eight-figure range, that’s how extreme it is. Where Texas has really played their cards well is that they’ve promised to mitigate all these losses by giving the Saban’s a ‘special’ package. In addition to a high per year salary, the Saban’s will also be aided by some lucrative deals that are off the books. If he accepts the job at Texas, we’ll greet him with sort of a collection plate full of undisclosed money that will lessen the damages he’s already endured. On top of all that, I’ve been told by a trusted friend that the home they recently closed on here in town was paid for in part by some of our wealthiest donors. You can see how we’re rolling out the red, or should I say, orange carpet for these two and it is the strongest reason for their interest.
Will: That’s just incredible we’re going to such lengths to procure the Saban’s are taken care of. So Alabama can’t counter this?
Informant: Not in the investment area where he’ll be more than compensated for here. Sure, they might draw up a $7 / $8 million contract per year but that doesn’t negate the damage already done with some of the failed business deals Nick has had with folks in Louisiana or Alabama. And let me ask you this – how would you like to stick around a region where you’ve had some difficult times financially when the most lucrative chance you’ll ever get to break away is now open? We’re offering him that opportunity.
Will: Now what about the desire for a change of scenery? It’s well-known Saban’s proclivity for not staying long at one place …
Informant: That’s another big indicator. Terry Saban told the Wall Street Journal a little while back how she and Nick were still feeling a bit unappreciated from the Alabama fan-base even after winning three titles in four years. I think it’s gotten to the point where winning over there is more of a relief than it is a joy for the Saban’s. Nick Saban has the unique chance before him now to become the only coach in college football history to win a National Championship at three different schools. The excitement with that kind of challenge is very enticing and both he and Terry can then feel much more beloved in Austin if they bring success here.
Will: And from what I hear it’s Terry who runs the show in that household so I’m sure a more cosmopolitan city is intriguing too?
Informant: Yes it is and I think we’re to the point now where it’s no longer rumor she’s been in Austin a lot of times this fall trying to pick out a house and get this new phase of their lives started up. Look, from the financial components to the desire for a terrific new challenge to the simple fact that Austin has a higher quality of living than Tuscaloosa, these are all compelling reasons that have intrigued the Saban’s for close to a year now. Mack Brown got in the way last winter but he’s about to be gone and the door is open for Nick and Terry to start this last great chapter of their professional lives in a city that will honor and take care of them.
Will: Well you yourself have sure made a compelling case for this to all go down … What, if anything, could derail it at the wire?
Informant: I talked with some people on the ‘Bama side of things recently and they all have a feeling the Saban’s are heading our way. I would be pretty stunned if it didn’t occur because in no way do I think Nick and his agent Jimmy Sexton are using this as a leverage play to get more money from the Tide. Consider the financial matters I talked about earlier as the reason I think that. If it does all crumble at the end, my belief is the only way that happens is if Mack Brown holds off on his announcement for too long.
Will: And you think that will happen this weekend, so if it does, could Nick Saban be introduced as early as the start of next week?
Informant: If my timeline for Mack holds true, and I think it will, then yes I could see Saban being formally introduced one or two days after. I have a very strong feeling that’s what’s going to occur. I think we’re really close to putting all of this drama to rest."