The Elephant in the Room Part II

[jdcatty]

Well, hunter has gone all in on Sam.

https://x.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/1726276262023582063?s=61&t=yqgft3mqzhJjVNQN1flX9A

This is being widely reported, but I haven't seen an actual comment from Yurachek yet.

[DrMongoose]

Why issue a statement when the media report it nationally? Ifan AD issued a statement on every rumor/repo they would do nothing but issue statements.

Only issue a statement if there is a change.

My guess is hunter could not raise the money to pay for his ill-fated extension or he is too buddy buddy with Sam otherwise what have we seen on the field is season justifying this decision after 4 years?

Blah blah recruiting, NIL excuses. This is Morris level coaching that can not be overcome.

https://x.com/alexs_espn/status/1726277267675087029?s=61&t=yqgft3mqzhJjVNQN1flX9A

[vegashog]

if there's not going to be a change, not sure there's anything to comment about.

[mde114]

I can't believe Pittman comes back if Mizzou blows us out.

[DrMongoose]

I can't believe Pittman comes back if Mizzou blows us out.

Things change, timing is everything but unlikely yet also why Hunter doesn't issue a statement because if we lose by 60 how bad would that statement look?

Could also be that if feelers were put out, there was no one interested in taking over.

I don't like or agree with him but he has point

https://x.com/danwolken/status/1726278916707618958?s=61&t=yqgft3mqzhJjVNQN1flX9A

[AporkalypseNow]

Things change, timing is everything but unlikely yet also why Hunter doesn't issue a statement because if we lose by 60 how bad would that statement look?

Could also be that if feelers were put out, there was no one interested in taking over.

I don't like or agree with him but he has point

https://x.com/danwolken/status/1726278916707618958?s=61&t=yqgft3mqzhJjVNQN1flX9A

Not only is the competition much lighter, but the program hasn't completely imploded to the degree it did under Morris.

This is a good time to hire.

If Sam comes back, there are going to be a lot of empty seats and non-renewals of season tickets. We are at a tipping point of waning interest.

[BleedinRed]

Lol at anyone who thinks the Missouri game is going to dictate keeping or firing Sam.  

They are a top 10 program this year.  A blow out will be expected at this point. Anything less than a blow out will be positive for Sam.  

[AporkalypseNow]

I think the fact Mizzou is a "top 10 program" with Drinkwitz is a massive aggravation for Arkansas fans who can't understand why with better finances, fan support, and facilities we aren't winning more than they are.

Another home blowout (after losing so ugly a really pretty shitty Auburn team)...  this is going to make season ticketholders think twice about renewals.

[BleedinRed]

I don't disagree at all.  I'm only speaking from the standpoint of a bad loss (whatever that means) to Missouri is going to get Sam fired.  HY isn't firing Sam if we get blown out by 100.  

[AporkalypseNow]

I don't disagree at all.  I'm only speaking from the standpoint of a bad loss (whatever that means) to Missouri is going to get Sam fired.  HY isn't firing Sam if we get blown out by 100. 

That alone would never be the reason.

If Pittman is fired it's because of aggregate performance and more importantly, booster and ticketholder revolt.

Nothing causes this more than home blowouts, though. We've always been able to deal with Bama coming in and kicking our ass, but losing to that awful Auburn team the way we did...

Attendance is suffering, and Mizzou won't be different.

[mde114]

I don't disagree at all.  I'm only speaking from the standpoint of a bad loss (whatever that means) to Missouri is going to get Sam fired.  HY isn't firing Sam if we get blown out by 100. 

Then someone should fire HY.

[DirkPiggler]

Why issue a statement when the media report it nationally? Ifan AD issued a statement on every rumor/repo they would do nothing but issue statements.

Only issue a statement if there is a change.

My guess is hunter could not raise the money to pay for his ill-fated extension or he is too buddy buddy with Sam otherwise what have we seen on the field is season justifying this decision after 4 years?

By keeping Sam HY has guaranteed that there will at least be a $2000 reduction in ticket sales and concession revenue.  I can't imagine I'm the only one thinking that way. 

Blah blah recruiting, NIL excuses. This is Morris level coaching that can not be overcome.

https://x.com/alexs_espn/status/1726277267675087029?s=61&t=yqgft3mqzhJjVNQN1flX9A

We are getting a major bump in TV revenue next year.  I've seen anywhere between $20MM and $70MM thrown out.  That's over and above what we are already getting.   There is more than enough room for $3MM-$4MM per year for 4-5 years to cover Sam's buyout in the operating budget.

If Hunter is telling people we can't afford it, he is lying to cover his ass for not wanting to fire Sam. 

[woodhog14]

Then someone should fire HY.

It was the Chancellor, you know Hunter's boss, that made the final decision. Hunter tried but the Chancellor didn't want to have to pay for a buy out.

[AporkalypseNow]

We are getting a major bump in TV revenue next year.  I've seen anywhere between $20MM and $70MM thrown out.  That's over and above what we are already getting.  There is more than enough room for $3MM-$4MM per year for 4-5 years to cover Sam's buyout in the operating budget.

If Hunter is telling people we can't afford it, he is lying to cover his ass for not wanting to fire Sam. 

If we can't afford the buyout of a guy that we are the only team in American that would've hired and has had only modest success, that rests at the feet of the AD.  That's a tremendous mistake.

In reality if you look at our budget this buyout should be trivial. 

There's also "opportunity cost".  I have no doubt donations and season ticket sales (as well as merchandise and concessions) are going to fall in 2024 if he's retained.

[hit_that_line]

Mizzou is crushing us in NIL.

[DrMongoose]

We are getting a major bump in TV revenue next year.  I've seen anywhere between $20MM and $70MM thrown out.  That's over and above what we are already getting.  There is more than enough room for $3MM-$4MM per year for 4-5 years to cover Sam's buyout in the operating budget.

If Hunter is telling people we can't afford it, he is lying to cover his ass for not wanting to fire Sam. 

well, are we still paying off the debt service on the north end zone project, the BKB practice facility, the add-ons at track and baseball(?) plus all the salaries and budget and who knows what other projects we're paying off. Is Morris off the books yet?

you also assume they haven't already spent that money, which is quite likely and with the pending BWA renovations also coming will cost $$.

they way the RF keeps sending out emails with purchase opportunities seems like the money isn't coming in like it used to because NIL is changing the donation game.

It was the Chancellor, you know Hunter's boss, that made the final decision. Hunter tried but the Chancellor didn't want to have to pay for a buy out.

that makes no sense as it's not universtiy funds paying for it - it's the foundation.


Big Question - What staff changes were promised in that meeting that bought him another year? Did that include Kennedy and Fountain?

[buff2.0]

I still say we blame Varady. Just because I don't like him.

[woodhog14]

well, are we still paying off the debt service on the north end zone project, the BKB practice facility, the add-ons at track and baseball(?) plus all the salaries and budget and who knows what other projects we're paying off. Is Morris off the books yet?

you also assume they haven't already spent that money, which is quite likely and with the pending BWA renovations also coming will cost $$.


that makes no sense as it's not universtiy funds paying for it - it's the foundation.

Well, I know for a fact the Chancellor nixed it.

[DirkPiggler]

well, are we still paying off the debt service on the north end zone project, the BKB practice facility, the add-ons at track and baseball(?) plus all the salaries and budget and who knows what other projects we're paying off. Is Morris off the books yet?

you also assume they haven't already spent that money, which is quite likely and with the pending BWA renovations also coming will cost $$.


that makes no sense as it's not universtiy funds paying for it - it's the foundation.

If we could afford all those things under the current budget, we can afford them plus an extra $3MM/year with the additional revenue.

[DirkPiggler]

Well, I know for a fact the Chancellor nixed it.

What's his buyout?

It makes sense.   There have been rumblings for a while that he has the same attitude towards athletics as John White.