Plain Trouble on "Da Plains" (all AU posts here)

[OBMS]

I'm puzzled, too. Only things I can think of to reconcile the loose ends are (1) there's qualifying language in Gus's contract that make the widely-quoted $32MM buyout not exactly right, or (2, and less likely) Gus has done something to create at least an argument for the barn to cut him loose for cause.
Otherwise, I'm also wondering what's in it for him to agree to this.

The statement came out from TUF several weeks ago that the portion of the contract that the private fund is responsible for (approximately 85% of it) was not handled properly between TUF and the University. Therefore, they consider it a sticking point going forward and will renegotiate that portion of it. That is simply Auburn/Lowder code for "we'll keep you tied up in court for 40 years before we pay you this buyout". The way this has been handled reeks of Lowder but he has no authority to speak for the University, so Harbert is handling that end. They don't trust Greene or Leath.
Bottom line ---Malzahn will not last beyond next year. At 53 years old, he's going to continue to coach (let's face it, he ain't going to be a TV guy). Auburn is simply telling him to go find another job. He'll either do just that and not owe Auburn anything or they'll keep him tied up in court for 40 years.

 

[OBMS]

If I understand it right....Gus wants to fire assistants. But, it’ll cost money. They are saying there is no more money because its wrapped up in your buyout. Lower the buyout and you can get new coaches.

Seems like they are working together like famibly.


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This is correct. A clause in his original contract calls for his personal guarantee of contracts for assistant coaches. I suspect the negotiation is to get TUF to pay those contracts but they want to take it off his guarantee.

 

[BamaMoon]

The barner fanbase just got took on an emotional roller coster. My barner friend that originally thought it was Dabo quickly switched over to it's Stoops.
I'm not sure what he'd say today, but on Monday they were all hopeful.

I'm telling you, losing to Bama OR winning against Bama does crazy things to these folks. They've always defined themselves by how they've done against us. Last year Gus rides the wave to a 49 million extension and this year they are trying to bury him.

 

[IM4UA]

Auburn is simply telling him to go find another job. He'll either do just that and not owe Auburn anything or they'll keep him tied up in court for 40 years.

This is clearly CFB's most expense case of buyers remorse of all time. If it plays out like this, they will have a staff that knows they are all living on borrowed time. Not exactly the motivation level you need when the program across the state is rewriting the record books. It appears that another year of mediocrity is in store for the barn in 2019. In other words, SNASS.

 

[BamaInMo1]

JIMMY SEXTON:
He didn't get as big as he is in the business by jerking his clients around. There's something that Jimmy has lined up for Gus and this will help Gus be able to cut and run to a better situation.
In my opinion, Jimmy has worked behind the scenes to get Guss out of Famblyville to another D1 program and part of the deal was lowering the buyout that the other school has to pay. No, I do not have any inside info on this but to me this is the only thing that makes any kind of sense at all.

 

[dvldog]

It appears that another year of mediocrity is in store for the barn in 2019.

Its just so sad. :biggrin:

 

[Elefantman]

I've already ordered my "Honk if you turn down the Auburn Head Coach Job" bumper sticker. :biggrin2:

I hope the search for their next coach goes twice as long and twice as bad as last year's UT search.

 

[mlh]

JIMMY SEXTON:
He didn't get as big as he is in the business by jerking his clients around. There's something that Jimmy has lined up for Gus and this will help Gus be able to cut and run to a better situation.
In my opinion, Jimmy has worked behind the scenes to get Guss out of Famblyville to another D1 program and part of the deal was lowering the buyout that the other school has to pay. No, I do not have any inside info on this but to me this is the only thing that makes any kind of sense at all.

I'm thinking the same thing. I expect to see Gus at Arkansas for the 2020 season.

 

[rgw]

JIMMY SEXTON:
He didn't get as big as he is in the business by jerking his clients around. There's something that Jimmy has lined up for Gus and this will help Gus be able to cut and run to a better situation.
In my opinion, Jimmy has worked behind the scenes to get Guss out of Famblyville to another D1 program and part of the deal was lowering the buyout that the other school has to pay. No, I do not have any inside info on this but to me this is the only thing that makes any kind of sense at all.

Gus won't stay unemployed long because he's never had an outright awful team, he's played in a national championship game, and won the SEC once. He'd probably find life better in Big-12 country.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

You couldn’t draw it up any better if you were trying to simultaneously
(1) make the barn look like idiots (I know, I know....) and
(2) cripple a much-needed recruiting class, and
(3) hang your coach out to dry for next year, and
(4) de-motivate the entire staff and administration, and
(5) trash your ability to attract anybody worthwhile when you finally do kick him to the curb.

They make last year’s UTe search look smooth and professional.

It’s so outlandish, you know it’s true...because nobody could ever make it up.

Orville Redenbacher stock just skyrocketed.

 

[IM4UA]

I hope the search for their next coach goes twice as long and twice as bad as last year's UT search.

Joe Lee Dunn and Houston Nutt are available.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Lane Kiffin to Auburn in 2020!

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Lane Kiffin to Auburn in 2020!

I was just about to say that I'm kind of shocked they haven't pulled the trigger on firing Gus to go ahead go after Kiffin for 2019.

There is a decent portion of the fanbase that thinks he would 'Have CNS's Number' and be highly motivated to beat him. (LOL)

The only hangup is their professed moral superiority where AU would never allow a Coach with CLK's history to walk the plains. He would have to 'clean up his act' to be their HC.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I was just about to say that I'm kind of shocked they haven't pulled the trigger on firing Gus to go ahead go after Kiffin for 2019.

There is a decent portion of the fanbase that thinks he would 'Have CNS's Number' and be highly motivated to beat him. (LOL)

The only hangup is their professed moral superiority where AU would never allow a Coach with CLK's history to walk the plains. He would have to 'clean up his act' to be their HC.

Notice Kiffin isnt getting attention this year?

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[CoachInWaiting]

The Gus situation at the barn is eerily similar to the Les Miles situation the season before he was fired. End of season it looked for all the world like he was gone, only to get a reprieve and then get dumped mid-season the next year. We should probably start a pool to see who can guess which game Gus gets the axe next year. My guess would be after losing to Moo State in Jordan-Hare to start 2-3 and 0-2 in the SEC.

 

[AlexanderFan]

This makes no sense at all.

Who on earth would reject an opportunity to NOT work for $32M and agree to work for less than $32M?

As an Auburn fan said during my poker game last night, "Gus is paying Auburn to be our coach."

If you read the article linked above Marshall mentioned something about the extension possibly not being valid because Tigers Unlimited didn't tie up some loose ends (he speculated, but didn't offer specifics). Maybe they are leveraging the possibility of no buyout to get him to accept a lower one.


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[AlistarWills]

Let’s toss this out there, maybe the payoff for leaving is reduced the same as the buyout for getting fired. I can see this as a reason to accept it. Once the payoff is lowered, find another job, cut and run. Malzahn and/or Sexton have to hear the rumblings of agbarn parting ways with Malzahn. The question would be at that point, is he still responsible for asst. coach buyouts? I assure you Jimmy Sexton isn’t getting played here.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

Such a weird weird situation. I can see why the school would want to reduce his buyout but they are pretty much telling the current players, the fan base and recruits that we want to get rid of Gus ... which pretty much is saying that Auburn is expecting to mail in next season.

 

[bamafaninbham]

This whole thing just baffles my mind. I wonder if we will ever know what they have on Gus because, no way any sane person agrees to less money just one year after inking a huge deal unless they have some dirt. I guess the other option is that Gus is the worst poker player ever and just folded with a royal flush.

I wonder if he has run up too big a tab at the local Waffle House. Although, I wonder how that can be possible since he only goes there to celebrate after wins.:eek2:

 

[BamaMoon]

Such a weird weird situation. I can see why the school would want to reduce his buyout but they are pretty much telling the current players, the fan base and recruits that we want to get rid of Gus ... which pretty much is saying that Auburn is expecting to mail in next season.

Saw a Tweet from a Barn recruit that said Gus told him he'd be the coach there next year. What kind of comfort/confidence is that for your current recruiting class??? There's a reason CNS is always locked in at a minimum of 4 years ahead. Granted, it doesn't mean a thing except there is the perception to recruits and their families that the coach that lures you is going to be there to keep his word as their coach.

Whatever their '19 and '20 classes were looking like before this will take a big hit.

Isn't is great to see???