Yesterday, Oregon coach Chip Kelly agreed to a new contract with his university. Per ESPN.com:
It's a six-year deal that includes $20.5 million in guaranteed money, though there are also numerous incentives in the contract that will bolster Kelly's pay.
That's an average of $3.42 million over the life of the deal, which currently places him second in the Pac-10 (behind Lane Kiffin) and among the best-paid coaches in the country (for now). This is what a top-flight coach costs a university.
Don't take this the wrong way. This is not intended to be some referendum on whether we think Paul Wulff should or should not be fired, or to be some sort of conversation starter on who WSU "could get," or anything like that. To be honest, we try not to talk too much about people's jobs because, well, they are people. And this is their livelihood. It doesn't mean it's off limits; it just means we try to exercise a degree of sensitivity.
No, I point out Kelly's contract simply to state a fact: If you do want to replace the coach, you have to, um, replace the coach. That means paying someone, and if that someone is simply an established coach with a history of winning -- we're not even talking about guys like Saban, Meyer or Kelly -- you're almost certainly looking at paying him north of $2 million a year.
Paul Wulff is paid $600,000 a year. Do the math.
($1.2 million to buy Wulff out of his final two years + $2 million a year to bring in an established coach) * Current economic climate / Small donor base = THIS IS WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN MOST CASUAL FANS WANT TO RECOGNIZE
Just something for you to think about. On to the links!
WSU News
Forgot to post Paul Wulff's press conference yesterday. So here it is.
Paul Wulff Press Conference Sept 28 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU turns up the hitting at practice - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 28, 2010
As for Tuesday’s practice, for the first time I can remember, the team sessions featuring the backups running the opposition schemes against the Cougars’ first team was a live drill, meaning other than quarterbacks, the tackling was full go. And it was fierce at times.
WSU's Wulff talks UCLA, Cougars - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 28, 2010
Wulff was pretty damn honest about Saturday’s play on the Pac-10 call, calling out his defense for its tackling – reiterating the need for tough guys who want to knock the snot out of people – and the linebackers for their especially poor play. "We’ve got to get guys to come to the party and make some plays," he said.
Paul Wulff Radio Show Recap - Week Five of 2010
Wulff's tone on the show was quite different than it's been this year. I guess that shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but he sounded tense, and even a little angry at times. His answers were shorter and to the point. ... Basically he sounded like a guy who is fed up with a lot of the same stuff that we all are, and he's sick of the losses and lackluster performances too (well duh!).
Scout.com: Cougar Practice Report: Contact time
The message was loud and clear. The Cougars are going to tackle and keep tackling until they figure it out -- and figure out who wants it. Paul Wulff had the bodies flying and shoulder pads cracking at full throttle Tuesday afternoon as Washington State took contact drills to a whole new level.
Cougars Announce 2 p.m. Start for Oregon Football Game - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
State of my fandom… " Cougar Athletic Supporter
I’ve been in attendance for 24 out of the 29 games coached by Wulff (because I’m a masochist) and I am finally getting to the point of apathy, and I never thought that would be possible.
WSU Women to Race at Montana Invitational - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Washington State University women's cross country team and one WSU male harrier will compete at the Montana Invitational race Saturday, October 2, at the University of Montana Golf Course in Missoula...other teams entered in the meet inclucde Montana State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Carroll, College of Idaho, Montana State-Billings, Rocky Mountain, Great Falls and Flathead CC.
Volleyball Hosts No. 12 UCLA and No. 5 USC - WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
The Washington State University volleyball team (6-6, 0-2) hosts a pair of ranked Pacific-10 Conference teams this week...Cougars take on No. 12 UCLA (10-2, 0-1) Friday, Oct. 1 and No. 5 USC (11-0, 1-0) Saturday, Oct. 2...both matches begin at 7 p.m. in Bohler Gym.
Pac-10 News
UCLA, not USC, is all the talk nationally - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
UCLA turns around season - Spokesman.com - Sept. 28, 2010
After two games this season, the Bruins of UCLA were in ruins. ... Two weeks later, (Neuheisel is) the toast of Los Angeles. And all it took were two upsets of ranked Texas schools – the Houston Cougars and the state’s flagship, the Texas Longhorns. That, and the pop of a new offense.
Pac-10 football ratings: Big wins and power running | College Hotline
Difficult to imagine a better September for the Pac-10, which went 9-4 against AQ conferences and established itself as a close second to the SEC as the best league in the land — and you could make a good case that the Pac-10 is dead even with the SEC.
Stanford-Oregon: A study in contrast - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
Lots of Pac-10 up front - Pac-10 Blog - ESPN
It's Pac-10 day up front on ESPN.com.
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