University of Texas to Pay Athletes $10,000

((ht: dallasnews.com))

Oh boy.

Some college athletic director had to break the ice...or at least just come out publicly and say it. And as it turns out, apparently University of Texas AD Steve Patterson is that guy.

Patterson spoke at a Washington D.C panel to discuss the changing landscape of College Sports on Tuesday. He said his school is prepared to pay players $10,000 each per year to cover their daily expenses and to compensate the athlete for use of their image.

Patterson did not say when the Longhorns would begin doing this. He added it would cost the school roughly $6 million a year and it wouldn't be a significant dent in the athletic budget.

Read the story from the Dallas Morning News RIGHT HERE

This all comes on the heels of the Todd Gurley incident, where he is alleged to have taken money for his autograph and allegations Jameis Winston and many other college players have done the same.

The path to this is a long one and ended this past summer when the NCAA essentially allowed the "Power 5" conferences to operate on their own.

While a school that brings in enough money like a Texas won't have issue with this, it's likely that many smaller school's will not be able to keep up. Along with separating the haves and the have nots, it should strengthen the argument that there should be separate levels for each.

Only time will tell who will step up and be the first to actually pay instead of announcing it.

Is Texas Longhorn Strong...???

So, after Baylor head coach Art Briles tweeted his disinterest in the Texas job and UCLA head coach Jim Mora said he was staying in Westwood, it came down to Louisville's Charlie Strong to be the new head coach for the Longhorns...

The reported salary figure is 5 years at $25-million...

Strong's record at Louisville was 37-15 and he is set to accept the position if asked...

Strong, apparently, still wanted to speak with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich and his university president first.
“He will be the coach,” a well-place source told Kirk Bohls and Brian Davis at the Austin American-Statesman.

Strong seemed to have survived a four-hour interview with AD Steve Patterson...

Here's Brett McMurphy discussing briefly with Kenny Mayne
((HT: ESPN))

Jim Mora To Texas? It Looks Possible

Jim Mora

ESPN's Adam Schefter is throwing it out there.

Texas is interested in UCLA coach Jim Mora as a possible replacement for Mack Brown, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2014

According to ESPN's report, the two parties have had a conversation according to sources.

Mora is 18-8 during his tenure at UCLA and is fresh from coming off a Sun Bowl win over Virginia Tech.

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson has said he wants to have a coach in place by mid-January.

It seems Mora is the only one in the Longhorns cross hairs right now.

Mack Brown Says Situation Hasn't Changed

((HT: ESPN))

Mack Brown addressed his situation in his initial Alamo Bowl presser as Texas anticipates a shootout against Oregon...

So, of course, he addressed the elephant in the room...


Brown plans to meet with new athletic director Steve Patterson and university president Bill Powers about his future as the Longhorns' coach.

There was talk that "late this week" there would be some kind of an answer... whatever that answer is...

And, now, we have to determine the definition of "later this week" from the time it was talked about earlier this week...

Mack Brown Has Had Retirement Discussions

((HT: KXAN-TV))

According to the Austin Statesman newspaper, Mack Brown has had retirement discussions with the University of Texas.

Brian Davis has talked to those close to Longhorns circles and he wants to have one more discussion with university President Bill Powers to figure out once and for all whether or not he actually will step down...

Here's the early thoughts out of Austin...


Brown is under contract through 2020 and makes an estimated $5.4 million annually. If he is fired, he gets a bout half that...

AD Steve Patterson issued a statement saying: “We continue to discuss the future of Texas football. Mack Brown has not resigned. And, no decisions have been made.”

But everyone knows something is happening- fired or not- soon...