According to the Austin American Statesman, the University of Texas is prepared to extend Mack Brown’s contract to the year 2020. This will add on to a recent extension Coach Brown received in 2009, which had him coaching through 2016.
Here are the details of the new 4 year contract extention:
“…[Texas Head Coach Mack] Brown would continue to receive annual raises of $100,000. His current annual compensation is $5.2 million.”
However, the Board of Regents did structure Brown’s contract with a rather large loophole:
“…the regents are also expected to approve a provision that would in essence allow the university to dismiss Brown for $3.5 million with about six months’ notice, the source said.”
Which begs the question: Why would the Board of Regents give such a lengthy extension, especially with that large of a buyout loophole?
It’s hard to fathom the reasoning behind this move by the UT Board. I would understand the logic had the Horns been more competitive in past two seasons. Additionally, this would make more sense had there not been any rumors swirling that Athletic Director Deloss Dodds tried to force out Brown as Head Coach.
Unfortunately, that has not been the case. An additonal 4 years added to the 2016 deal is just too long. The current length of contract worked well enough; It gave the Board of Regents and the Athletic Department enough time to assess whether Coach Brown is able to continue as head coach. Suddenly, the problem becomes whether Texas’ Board and AD’s will be cognizant enough to let Brown go if he underwhelms over the next few years.
Coach Brown will be 68 when the restructred contract ends; There are already complaints that he might not have “fire” left within him to lead a championship caliber team.
Why the University would allow themselves to further extend this contract is puzzling. Just let the 2016 contract run it’s course, then make the decision to reward Coach Brown at that point.
The last thing anyone wants at UT is a Florida State/Bobby Bowden situation: When a school waits too long to let go and the coach feels he shouldn’t depart.
What do you think? Should Texas have extended Mack Brown’s contract to 2020?
About Moses Leos