Rumor: Friedgen Discussing Buyout

by Ben Broman on Nov 20, 2009 9:23 PM EST in Football Comment 15 comments

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in College Park, Md. Virginia Tech won 36-9. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

2 months ago: Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in College Park, Md. Virginia Tech won 36-9. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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From Sports By Brooks:

Also, the University of Maryland is meeting with reps of Ralph Friedgen to discuss a possible buyout of his contract.

First off, the validity of this: SbB isn't the AP, but there are worse sources. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this was true. Of course, that doesn't mean it's happened, and SbB isn't an overly valid source.

That said, this could be big news. If Friedgen goes, it wouldn't surprise me if James Franklin left as well. While the likelihood is that Franklin takes the job next year, remember that his HCIW deal wasn't a vote of confidence, but a carrot to dangle to keep him from leaving, as well as an effort to keep recruiting up. Now that neither recruiting nor offense is working, I'm sure the people that made that deal are having trouble coming up with a good reason to keep him.

That's a lot of money gone at one time, if it's lump sum, but I doubt that would be the case. Ralph's career is winding down, and he might want a steady income source over the next, say, five years. That's too lawyer-y for me, but it's a possibility. Maryland could still grab a few very good candidates on the cheap, even if they had to fire both at once (Mike London, anyone?).

Of course, Frank's "buyout" is our speculation, not even a rumor, so please take that at face value.

We don't want to go into too much analysis right now on something that's just a rumor, but keep in mind that this very well could be on the horizon.

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Coaches

Is there any “triple option” coaches available ???

by ATLredskin on Nov 20, 2009 10:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If that's a serious question

Nuimatalolo. Not sure how he’d do here.

by Ben Broman on Nov 20, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If both are true...

And we were to buy out both, let’s go all in, disband half the non-revenue sports teams and throw an outrageous amount of money at Mike Leach… Just let me dream, damn it!

by JC1 on Nov 20, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My choice is still Billick

I’s probably die of happiness the moment the announcement was made.

I don’t think we’ll go small-time here. We’re going balls-out here if we get rid of both, right? I mean, financially, this will take a ton of creativity just to get it feasible, and even then it will be astronomical. We’re gonna need a lot of $$$ to make these payments, and if we go with, say, the aforementioned Nuimatalolo, there’s no more energy than before and no one buys tickets. Hire a Billick or a Leach, and we suddenly start selling out season tickets, suites, etc., and cash flows in.

Risky, but might be right.

by Ben Broman on Nov 20, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We're in agreement

I would be downright giddy about either one of those two hires. It is a huge risk as you said, so I don’t see it ever happening under our current athletic dept leadership. I mean, we aren’t disbanding any sports, and we cant just **** the money to cut two huge buyout checks and one huge new HC contract.

The reason the risk is worth it though, is as you noted, if it pans out, it pays for itself and more. Another less measurable financial aspect is that if we are doing well in our two highest profile sports we both draw in new fans (more money) and further encourage current fans and alumni to donate more money because they see real results. And we can always reinstate competitive ribbon twirling and whatever else at a later date…

Speaking of which, does anyone have any information on how UM athletic department money gets spent? I don’t think they are required by law to release it since the program is self-sufficient (from men’s bball and football) and doesn’t take any state money.

by JC1 on Nov 21, 2009 12:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey now...

stop hatin’ on the non-rev sports! Swimmers and wrestlers deserve a chance, too!

And the wrestling team is #6 in the nation and just knocked off #3 at their place. Field Hockey’s in the champ game, and Mens’ soccer is almost there. Seems to me, non-rev sports are where it’s at at UMd this year.

"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White

by duck on Nov 21, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs