At what point does JJ stretch this too Far?

El Paso Eagle · April 13, 2012

Talking to LSU (OK), talking to SMU (Whatever) – Top assistant interviewing at K-state

At what point do you call for JJ to commit? Not necessarily asking for his commitment to an extension, but maybe to sign a revised contract with an increased buy-out? Too many things looking right for the BB program. We need this merry-go-round to slow down.

Green Jackal · April 13, 2012

What would be his incentive to sign-up for a larger buyout?

El Paso Eagle · April 13, 2012

What would be his incentive to sign-up for a larger buyout?

Good question. I have no answer. But I bet EVERY coach recruiting against JJ/UNT is asking the recruits if they really believe JJ is committed to this University AND what that could mean for tem ... Just saying

Eagle-96 · April 13, 2012

What would be his incentive to sign-up for a larger buyout?

The incentive would be that if RV revises his contract to add a little more money next year(possibly equivalent to the SEC buyout clause difference), JJ would negate the decreased SEC buyout provision in the contract. This would give JJ some more cash in his pocket up front and it would, in turn, signal his commitment to UNT. He would, in essence, leverage his courtship from LSU and SMU into some extra cash. UNT would then be able to move forward with JJ as their coach next season and they would get back additional cash if JJ goes to LSU in the future.

GrandGreen · April 13, 2012

Why in the world if JJ is in that much demand, would he renegotiate a contract? The only way that happens is if JJ knows he going to stay at NT, and in that case why would NT up the ante?

I think LSU's interest has heightened SMU's because now it looks like they are going after a hot coach.

Every hour this is drawn out it is hurting NT. Problem is that NT has no leverage at all in this process, so we have to wait to see how it plays out.

cl_1_2008 · April 13, 2012

I understand that we're kinda stuck in limbo and it sucks, but can you really blame him? This is potentially the biggest decision of his life/coaching career. I mean, it's his dream job, and he'd be getting a sizeable raise. I can't really blame him for taking his time, considering the magnitude of the situation. Now, if he's contemplating SMU, different story, but I can't blame him for considering LSU.

UNT90 · April 13, 2012

What you do is approach JJ with an offer of 800K a year over 4 years, with a 2 year salary buy out clause for the 1st year of the contract, reduced to half a year for the remainder of the contract.

But, you tell JJ he has 24 hours to decide on the contract. After that, it's off the table. This will force his hand with LSU.

800K is nothing to sneeze at. Almost double his salary and probably only a couple hundrer k under what LSU would eventually pay him.

If JJ turns down the offer, you start your search for a new coach.

BUT, do we have the money (and does RV have the stones) to do this?

Edited April 13, 2012 by UNT90

glick1980 · April 13, 2012

What you do is approach JJ with an offer of 800K over 4 years, with a 2 year salary buy out clause for the 1st year of the contract, reduced to half a year for the remainder of the contract.

But, you tell JJ he has 24 hours to decide on the contract. After that, it's off the table. This will force his hand with LSU.

800K is nothing to sneeze at. Almost double his salary and probably only a couple hundrer k under what LSU would eventually pay him.

If JJ turns down the offer, you start your search for a new coach.

BUT, do we have the money (and does RV have the stones) to do this?

JJ has been great here. You don't do that to him and I don't think RV would. RV probably knows that JJ wants the LSU job and probably has for a long time. You let LSU decide, and then if they don't take him and SMU tries to then maybe you play a little hard ball.

Green P1 · April 13, 2012

What you do is approach JJ with an offer of 800K over 4 years, with a 2 year salary buy out clause for the 1st year of the contract, reduced to half a year for the remainder of the contract.

But, you tell JJ he has 24 hours to decide on the contract. After that, it's off the table. This will force his hand with LSU.

800K is nothing to sneeze at. Almost double his salary and probably only a couple hundrer k under what LSU would eventually pay him.

If JJ turns down the offer, you start your search for a new coach.

BUT, do we have the money (and does RV have the stones) to do this?

Or you just let it all play out naturally.

UNT90 · April 13, 2012

JJ has been great here. You don't do that to him and I don't think RV would. RV probably knows that JJ wants the LSU job and probably has for a long time. You let LSU decide, and then if they don't take him and SMU tries to then maybe you play a little hard ball.

I don't think you get that the underlying theme of my post was to get JJ to stay at UNT. When it comes down to it, what matters is what is best for the university and it's athletic programs. If you believe that includes JJ as head coach, you offer him the package and force him to decide whether or not he wants to pine away for his Alma Mater, or if he wants a nice raise, a secure job with a talented team returning, and a chance to really buil;d something at UNT.

It's business. Plain and simple. Make him the offer and force him and LSU to make a decision.

Harry · April 13, 2012

You gotta give Johnny a sweet new deal including assistants and try to convince Forrest to stay. Give him associate head coach title. You gotta show the players and fans you tried.

UNT90 · April 13, 2012

You gotta give Johnny a sweet new deal including assistants and try to convince Forrest to stay. Give him associate head coach title. You gotta show the players and fans you tried.

Agree, Harry. And, if JJ leaves, you GOTTA interview Forrest for the head coaching position. Stop One-size-fits-alling the coaching hires.

At least give the guy a shot.

El Paso Eagle · April 13, 2012

I don't think you get that the underlying theme of my post was to get JJ to stay at UNT. When it comes down to it, what matters is what is best for the university and it's athletic programs. If you believe that includes JJ as head coach, you offer him the package and force him to decide whether or not he wants to pine away for his Alma Mater, or if he wants a nice raise, a secure job with a talented team returning, and a chance to really buil;d something at UNT.

It's business. Plain and simple. Make him the offer and force him and LSU to make a decision.

IMO - Great point.

Do I want JJ to stay - YES, but I want UNT to be successful. There comes a time for all of us when we have the “potential opportunity” out there and we have to make a choice… does our “how much am I willing to risk for my dream job?” At the end of the day, if opportunities come JJ, and all of us, have to make decisions based on what is best for each of us and our families. However, UNT (the Business) has to take a stand at some point. As I commented on before at some point soon decisions need to be made.

glick1980 · April 13, 2012

I don't think you get that the underlying theme of my post was to get JJ to stay at UNT. When it comes down to it, what matters is what is best for the university and it's athletic programs. If you believe that includes JJ as head coach, you offer him the package and force him to decide whether or not he wants to pine away for his Alma Mater, or if he wants a nice raise, a secure job with a talented team returning, and a chance to really buil;d something at UNT.

It's business. Plain and simple. Make him the offer and force him and LSU to make a decision.

I want JJ to stay as much as anyone, but I don't think you do that to the person resposible for turning around your program when his dream job pops up. RV and JJ probably talk every day, and I bet JJ lets RV know what is going on, he is a stand up guy. My point is that RV doesn't have to do that because he and JJ have a good relationship and have been working together for a very long time. I am sure RV is in the loop. Now, with the SMU job, then you do force his hand.

UNT90 · April 13, 2012

IMO - Great point.
Do I want JJ to stay - YES, but I want UNT to be successful. There comes a time for all of us when we have the "potential opportunity" out there and we have to make a choice… does our "how much am I willing to risk for my dream job?" At the end of the day, if opportunities come JJ, and all of us, have to make decisions based on what is best for each of us and our families. However, UNT (the Business) has to take a stand at some point. As I commented on before at some point soon decisions need to be made.

Remember, this is under the huge assumption that UNT has the funds to make such an offer.

It would be the move of a big time athletics school, but do we have those kind of resources?

UNTLifer · April 13, 2012

We won't pay JJ more than McCarney. If we offer JJ $800k, then you have to offer McCarney $1 mil.

GrandGreen · April 13, 2012

I don't think you get that the underlying theme of my post was to get JJ to stay at UNT. When it comes down to it, what matters is what is best for the university and it's athletic programs. If you believe that includes JJ as head coach, you offer him the package and force him to decide whether or not he wants to pine away for his Alma Mater, or if he wants a nice raise, a secure job with a talented team returning, and a chance to really buil;d something at UNT.

It's business. Plain and simple. Make him the offer and force him and LSU to make a decision.

So NT should offer JJ who is barely over .500 in the Belt, for the third year in a row; another contract. Among the issues, NT current ticket revenue doesn't even cover the coaching staff's current salaries. Also the obvious, NT cannot even if they wanted to, outbid SMU or LSU. LSU is supposedly JJ's dream job, he is not going to stop pursuing that for even a big increase by NT standards.

Now bring out the big boos, is Jones even worth the kind of money some of you are throwing around? He has put NT basketball back on course and deserved our support, but there are limits.

Here is the situation as I see it. Jones is not a sure thing at either LSU or SMU. Both seem to be busy searching around. Jones has a potentially great team coming back at NT. This team could turn to dust if JJ leaves, but at the same time: Jones could be leaving a team that could make him much more salable as a head coach. Problem is that his dream job is now open, he may never have this chance again. NT on the other hand has just about made JJ bullet proof with a seven year contract with six years remaining. RV or NT has no leverage in this deal.

I think NT is at Jones' mercy. He can chase the big deal and if he gets what he wants; he is gone and NT could easily lose their best chance to be a big factor in college basketball. If he doesn't get the offer he wants, JJ has lost nothing. I think NT would be foolish to enhance his contract even if they could; I don't think its buys anything. If Jones goes, then good luck to him and I thank him for what he has done at NT. Hopefully, RV and NT are preparing for that possible outcome and can bring in someone who can minimize the damage and keep the team in tact. Prepare for the worse, but don't panic; it is a time to wait.

Edited April 13, 2012 by GrandGreen

MeanGreenTexan · April 13, 2012

We won't pay JJ more than McCarney. If we offer JJ $800k, then you have to offer McCarney $1 mil.

Bingo.

This ain't Duke fellas.

UNT90 · April 13, 2012

We won't pay JJ more than McCarney. If we offer JJ $800k, then you have to offer McCarney $1 mil.

You are probably right, but lets remember McCarney hasn't won here yet and has no other head coaching options. JJ has been to the NCAAs twice and has landed a 5 star recruit who is staying multiple years at our basketball program.

I think even McCarney would understand the raise to JJ.

Just a hypothetical, as I doubt we could pay that much to keep JJ, but I sure wish we could.

Green P1 · April 13, 2012

Bingo.

This ain't Duke fellas.

But it ain't (Insert random successful football 1st school) either.

Green Mean · April 13, 2012

Based on overall success and results JJ probably should have a higher salary than the football coach right now.

Mean Green 93-98 · April 13, 2012

Is my memory failing me, or did JJ not just get signed to a 7-year extension and a huge pay raise? As in, giving him a salary very comparable to Coach Mac pay raise? Nobody else is going to sign JJ to a 7-year contract. Other schools may be able to throw a whole lot more money at him, but I don't think any other school can show a greater commitment to JJ than North Texas has done.