When will HC Graham leave for a bigger deal??

[Covert Rain]

It is a reality faced by nearly every successful program at some point. All we can hope is that he establishes a winning tradition and a strong recruiting pipeline for his successor before he goes. Maybe by winning some Pac 12 titles, he can finally get the financial backing to upgrade the facilities. Then it'll make the next guy's job easier.

Objectively, there are probably only 30 or so jobs that are better than ASU in the whole country, if that (Better winning tradition, deeper pockets, easier recruiting bases). Not many of those come open each year.

That is what is so frustrating. Some of those successful schools live off their reputation and deep pockets. They will get a big name coach at some point and can hold onto them. That makes for a successful pipeline of recruiting and talent that is more consistent.

ASU has to play the....let's find a guy looking for a job or up and coming....gets some short term success and slips back into the 10 years down the road scenario again.

It sucks. How do we get a winning tradition, more alumni support and better recruiting base if we can't figure out a way to keep successful coaches?

Don't get me wrong. I keep hoping year after year we find a guy who wants to build a reputation and legacy of his own. That's what we need. We need a coach to stick it out here and establish that tradition.

Maybe TG has great success here and decides to stay. That would be great and point us in the right direction.

 

[crisper57]

It sucks. How do we get a winning tradition, more alumni support and better recruiting base if we can't figure out a way to keep successful coaches?

I agree, it'll take a time commitment from the HC, but it can be done. Boise State figured out how to do it. Baylor might be on the right track too. Why not ASU? Time for the sleeping giant to wake up.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I'll post what I posted elsewhere:

1. There's no more money. ASU has MAXED OUT how much it can pay a college football coach. Graham is the highest paid coach in ASU football history by, like, double. That's BASE contract not including incentives.

2. Graham won't agree to a bigger buyout without more money. See No. 1.

3. The ABOR would never agree to more money, so it wouldn't matter if ASU had it or not.

4. Graham is a great coach for the ASU program, but he still has a ways to go before I anoint him worthy of a Saban-like contract or something like that. Frankly, the marketplace isn't there for him that kind of money. Not at ASU. Not anywhere else. ASU is paying about what he's worth if you include his contract incentives.

5. If Graham did leave, it would be for so much more money and better opportunity that it's pointless to even debate what ASU could do. ASU can do nothing in that scenario. Not a thing.

6. If Graham did leave, ASU's in a much better position to make a good hire than they were before Graham got here. They also have a better clue about what kind of hire to make and how the process should look. At least, the president does. I don't think he had a clue before any of this.

The broadcast crew said something last week about unkept promises on Pitt's part while Graham was there and that is at least partly why he left. Do you know what they were referring to?


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[Diamondback Jay]

Hearing the same thing. $8 million a year to lure him away from Alabama.

His wife was reportedly house hunting in Austin a few weeks back. Seems pretty close to done to me.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Regarding the questions of Graham's tenure time here, there are only really two jobs I'd be concerned woth him leaving for... Texas (which isn't happening) and Oklahoma.

I think he is here for the long run to be honest.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Regarding the questions of Graham's tenure time here, there are only really two jobs I'd be concerned woth him leaving for... Texas (which isn't happening) and Oklahoma.

I think he is here for the long run to be honest.

Agreed... and, as for Oklahoma, I tend to see that as a more viable option if he were in the latter years of his career. He's from that part of the country. Has family and friends out there... And Oklahoma, while a step up (at present) from ASU, is not one of the top tier jobs in the country, a la Texas, Florida, Ohio State, Bama, Florida St, USC...
I could see Graham taking the Oklahoma job as his swan song, but not when he is still building his career...

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Agreed... and, as for Oklahoma, I tend to see that as a more viable option if he were in the latter years of his career. He's from that part of the country. Has family and friends out there... And Oklahoma, while a step up (at present) from ASU, is not one of the top tier jobs in the country, a la Texas, Florida, Ohio State, Bama, Florida St, USC...
I could see Graham taking the Oklahoma job as his swan song, but not when he is still building his career...

I also know he's trying to rehabilitate his "mercenary for hire" image, which he wrongfully is being slapped with following the Pitt fiasco. The reality is, Pitt and Todd Graham were the consummate case of a rushed marriage of convenience that never should have happened for either side. Pitt felt they needed to hurry to hire a coach with a resume after the Mike Haywood disaster and Graham saw Pitt as a chance to get a BCS league job. It really was a square peg/round hole relationship fit from the start.

 

[Mainstreet]

Of course... I don't think any ASU fan would ever expect that we would have a lifetime coach. ASU never has been and never will be that type of school.
However, I do believe that, just as I pointed out with our AD's, the opportunities that would allow Graham to leave are not nearly as plentiful as you seem to think.
I mean, all things being equal, he wouldn't leave ASU to go to places like North or South Carolina, Illinois or Indiana... I would even say that places like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Auburn, the entire SEC except Florida-Alabama-LSU, the entire ACC except Florida State and possibly Miami, the entire Big-10 except Michigan and Ohio State... are all places that would not attract Graham.
Texas and the Pac-12 are off limits. So, what does that leave?? Notre Dame - whre Brian Kelly isn't going anywhere anytime soon? Miami? Florida State - where Fisher isn't going anywhere anytime soon? Florida?

Again, can't predict the future... however, it seems to me the conditions are lined up fairly well where we might have Graham for a longer than expected run...

ASU had such a coach in Frank Kush before they fired him unjustly.

 

[82CardsGrad]

ASU had such a coach in Frank Kush before they fired him unjustly.

I don't think we will ever know ALL of the facts... but, it seems to me that "unjustly" is at minimum, debatable...

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think we will ever know ALL of the facts... but, it seems to me that "unjustly" is at minimum, debatable...

The point being, ASU did have a lifetime coach before he was dismissed.

 

[82CardsGrad]

The point being, ASU did have a lifetime coach before he was dismissed.

Yes... 22 years are one school should be considered "lifetime" for sure. And, amazingly Kush was only 50 years old when he was fired by ASU! He could've easily coached a couple more decades!

 

[Gaddabout]

The point being, ASU did have a lifetime coach before he was dismissed.

Kush accepted the Pitt job in 1969, only changing his mind 72 hours later. He was just as susceptible to the temptation as anyone is today.

 

[crisper57]

Kush accepted the Pitt job in 1969, only changing his mind 72 hours later. He was just as susceptible to the temptation as anyone is today.

Wow, we like to screw over Pitt a lot, huh?

 

[Mainstreet]

Kush accepted the Pitt job in 1969, only changing his mind 72 hours later. He was just as susceptible to the temptation as anyone is today.

But he changed his mind and remained loyal to the Sun Devils. This is what counts for me.

 

[Covert Rain]

Kush accepted the Pitt job in 1969, only changing his mind 72 hours later. He was just as susceptible to the temptation as anyone is today.

The fact that you have to go back 44 years to dig up a single example doesn't exactly instill confidence.

 

[Gaddabout]

The fact that you have to go back 44 years to dig up a single example doesn't exactly instill confidence.

Hmmm. Going back 44 years to the very cusp of Kush's best years was exactly my point. He was tired of pulling the mule train here and wanted to go someplace a little more visible. As breathless as Todd Graham leaves me when I see how much he does every day to promote ASU football, what Kush had to do was Herculean. He also wanted to go home, and Pittsburgh was home. That he stayed was as much or more happenstance than Kush just loving it here.

ASU is a long way from being a comfortable final destination for a college football coach. Forget all the other reasons. The only real reason is that it's a chore to keep enough people interested in the program to support it. There are mediocre programs that don't have to worry about it as much as ASU does. Until that changes, fans can never be too comfortable with their Sun Devil football coach.

 

[Mainstreet]

Hmmm. Going back 44 years to the very cusp of Kush's best years was exactly my point. He was tired of pulling the mule train here and wanted to go someplace a little more visible. As breathless as Todd Graham leaves me when I see how much he does every day to promote ASU football, what Kush had to do was Herculean. He also wanted to go home, and Pittsburgh was home. That he stayed was as much or more happenstance than Kush just loving it here.

ASU is a long way from being a comfortable final destination for a college football coach. Forget all the other reasons. The only real reason is that it's a chore to keep enough people interested in the program to support it. There are mediocre programs that don't have to worry about it as much as ASU does. Until that changes, fans can never be too comfortable with their Sun Devil football coach.

This seems an argument against happenstance rather than for it.

 

[Gaddabout]

This seems an argument against happenstance rather than for it.

Not really. He wanted to go. If Pittsburgh had been a tad more modern and the AD not so obstinate, he'd be gone. It took 72 hours (while Pitt twiddled their thumbs) before getting him to stay. The fact that Pitt wanted Wyoming's coach a bit more (and didn't get him, either) was probably a factor, too. Pitt screwed it up so bad they had to go with Waynseburg's Carl DePasqua, but he gave way to Johnny Majors I, Tony Dorsett and a national championship in 1976. They were OK with how it went down.

Point being: ASU had to up the ante quite a bit to keep Kush. There are no more Fiesta Bowls to sell a coach on anymore, and the schools that hire ASU coaches these days are pretty organized.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

ASU Head football coach could make $1.5 million in bonuses

http://www.kpho.com/story/24149267/asu-head-football-coach-could-make-15-million-in-bonuses

Talk about a good few weeks for ASU's head football coach Todd Graham. Forget the wins on the field, his wallet is getting fuller with cash. On top of his $2.3 million dollar salary, he clinched the PAC 12 South Conference title. That gave him a $230,000 bonus. One week later, ASU beat UA for the team's 10th win, bringing in another $150,000. On Monday, he was named coach of the year, which earned him another $50,000.

On top of the bonuses Graham has already taken in, there is the possibility of much more. CBS 5 was able to get a hold of his current contract. Here's the breakdown.

* If Graham win's this Saturday's PAC-12 Conference championship, he'll earn another $230,000.
* That would also give him an 11th regular and post-season win, for another $100,000.
* The win would mean an appearance in the Rose Bowl, a major bowl game. That means another $345,000
* If ASU wins the Rose Bowl, Graham would take home another $230,000.
* It would also be a 12th win, which means another $100,000.
* The team would also be eligible for ranking in final polls. A top 5 ranking would earn Graham another $69,000.

 

[PDXChris]

ASU Head football coach could make $1.5 million in bonuses

http://www.kpho.com/story/24149267/asu-head-football-coach-could-make-15-million-in-bonuses

Talk about a good few weeks for ASU's head football coach Todd Graham. Forget the wins on the field, his wallet is getting fuller with cash. On top of his $2.3 million dollar salary, he clinched the PAC 12 South Conference title. That gave him a $230,000 bonus. One week later, ASU beat UA for the team's 10th win, bringing in another $150,000. On Monday, he was named coach of the year, which earned him another $50,000.

On top of the bonuses Graham has already taken in, there is the possibility of much more. CBS 5 was able to get a hold of his current contract. Here's the breakdown.

* If Graham win's this Saturday's PAC-12 Conference championship, he'll earn another $230,000.
* That would also give him an 11th regular and post-season win, for another $100,000.
* The win would mean an appearance in the Rose Bowl, a major bowl game. That means another $345,000
* If ASU wins the Rose Bowl, Graham would take home another $230,000.
* It would also be a 12th win, which means another $100,000.
* The team would also be eligible for ranking in final polls. A top 5 ranking would earn Graham another $69,000.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2927174&postcount=3

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[MaoTosiFanClub]

I don't think Graham leaves anytime soon unless Texas decides to shockingly pursue him (don't kid yourselves, Patterson's "non-compete" means basically nothing) but if he does the reason would probably be due to the competition having more ammo that him. Same thing goes for Rodriguez should he ever have success at Arizona. As Matt alluded to it's really, really difficult to compete at a high level year in and out in this conference with what Arizona and ASU have in the coffers.

 

[crisper57]

I don't think Graham leaves anytime soon unless Texas decides to shockingly pursue him (don't kid yourselves, Patterson's "non-compete" means basically nothing) but if he does the reason would probably be due to the competition having more ammo that him. Same thing goes for Rodriguez should he ever have success at Arizona. As Matt alluded to it's really, really difficult to compete at a high level year in and out in this conference with what Arizona and ASU have in the coffers.

Texas has Saban. Even if that falls through, Graham would feel an awful lot like settling for a far inferior choice to that fanbase. I don't think it happens (0% chance).

 

[82CardsGrad]

Texas has Saban. Even if that falls through, Graham would feel an awful lot like settling for a far inferior choice to that fanbase. I don't think it happens (0% chance).

This...

IMHO, I think we get another 5-7 years out of Graham. I would like it to be more and hope that it's more, particularly given the momentum he is building. Ya never know I guess, but, I would be pleasantly surprised if 10 years from now, Graham is still here.

 

[BigRedRage]

graham made huge money this year with all of his bonuses and if next year can be as or more successful, az state can show him the money.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Texas has Saban. Even if that falls through, Graham would feel an awful lot like settling for a far inferior choice to that fanbase. I don't think it happens (0% chance).

I don't buy the Saban to Texas rumors. Anything that has been discussed as much as this usually doesn't come to fruition. Just look in the last week: USC was down to Franklin and Petersen and chose Sark. UW was for sure getting Mora and ended up with Petersen.

That being said I agree that Texas hiring Graham is very unlikely.

graham made huge money this year with all of his bonuses and if next year can be as or more successful, az state can show him the money.

As Matt said the money isn't there short of ASU selling out every game every week and bringing in huge donation dollars. And the ABOR may not even approve such a salary even if there was that money to go around. The ABOR-mandated contracts for the head coaches and assistants also make it tough to retain coaching talent here.

Trust me, UofA has the same exact problems. That's why we wring our hands every time a big college basketball coaching vacancy opens up despite the fact that Arizona Basketball is a monster both financially and on the court in the CBB world. Lute stayed at home repeatedly for less money (Kentucky amongst others). Sean Miller already has twice (NC State & Maryland) and those guys both accomplished much more at their respective stages in their careers than has Todd Graham. You have to hope assuming he continues winning at this rate that he really, really loves Phoenix and ASU because with that winning comes much better financial offers at bigger programs. Unless of course you or some other ASU fan becomes a billionaire and decides to subsidize the athletic department.