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Our coaches traditionally fizzle out on their contracts (Dakich, Blackney) or are reassigned (Mahler, Powers) within the university.

Is the Brandon Buyout the first time the University has made such a move?

As has been mentioned I'm hoping that as conversations were had about ponying up the $250K for the buyout similar seeds were planted to provide funds for a more competitive base salary. Otherwise the change could be lateral at the very best and more likely a slip in terms of continuity, and success.

Wasn't Dee Knoblauch (sp?) fired? I assume there was a buyout clause in her contract as well.

I raised the question before - I believe this is the first time we let a coach go with time on his contract who didn't move 'up' to a different job.

In football, we've haven't seen a buyout clause exercised in 40 years -- if ever. This is my understanding of the history:

Urban Meyer - left for Utah
Gary Blackney - announced resignation during final season of his contract.
Moe Ankney - contract not renewed.
Denny Stolz - left for San Diego State
Don Nehlen - contract not renewed.

Bob Gibson was coach in 1965, 1966, and 1967. I don't know how why he didn't return after 1967. Maybe an old timer knows.

Before him was Doyt Perry -- who, obviously, wasn't bought out.

that is a good question, but I doubt Doyt would have fired him. I'll do some checking.

I know this is all well known, but not to me, so I'll ask: why did we not renew Don Nehlen?

professorjackson wrote:I know this is all well known, but not to me, so I'll ask: why did we not renew Don Nehlen?

Because he finished 2nd in the MAC about 90% of the time...and got an offer to go to WVU.

Falconfreak90 wrote:

professorjackson wrote:I know this is all well known, but not to me, so I'll ask: why did we not renew Don Nehlen?

Because he finished 2nd in the MAC about 90% of the time...and got an offer to go to WVU.

Actually, the offer was to go to Michigan (or was it Northwestern?) as an assistant. He ended up at WVU later.

TG1996 wrote:

Falconfreak90 wrote:

professorjackson wrote:I know this is all well known, but not to me, so I'll ask: why did we not renew Don Nehlen?

Because he finished 2nd in the MAC about 90% of the time...and got an offer to go to WVU.

Actually, the offer was to go to Michigan (or was it Northwestern?) as an assistant. He ended up at WVU later.

I was always told he got "run out of town for going 6-5 in 1976". I've always wanted a more clear explanation of that but it has evaded me. I wasn't born yet and my father (class of '68) was out of state at the time.

What can be confirmed is he joined Bo's UM staff in 1977 along with notables Bill McCartney and former BG QB Jack Harbaugh. Nehlen was on the Big Blue staff 1977-79 before being named the WVU HC in 1980.

Interesting to note that following the 1979 season Nehlen and Harbaugh both left the staff and were "replaced" by Lloyd Carr, Les Miles, and Gary Moeller who joined the UM staff in 1980.

TG1996 wrote:

Falconfreak90 wrote:

professorjackson wrote:I know this is all well known, but not to me, so I'll ask: why did we not renew Don Nehlen?

Because he finished 2nd in the MAC about 90% of the time...and got an offer to go to WVU.

Actually, the offer was to go to Michigan (or was it Northwestern?) as an assistant. He ended up at WVU later.

Thanks for the clarification, TG. I was thinking along the lines of DD...he finished 2nd so many times they ran him outta town.

Post # 10,000....and it's clearing up a mistake of mine. Now that's how ya do it.

Congrats on reaching five digits of posts, Mike.

Falconfreak90 wrote: Post # 10,000....and it's clearing up a mistake of mine. Now that's how ya do it.

You are my new hero

Falconfreak90 wrote:Post # 10,000....and it's clearing up a mistake of mine. Now that's how ya do it.

Try not to let it happen again, newbie.

I've got the video of his CFB HOF induction speech somewhere... I think at the time, I got the impression that he was finishing 2nd consistently, but was taking heat from the AD for not finishing first. So rather than hang around and deal with that, he jumped on the offer to be on Schembechler's staff at UM.

TG1996 wrote:

Falconfreak90 wrote:Post # 10,000....and it's clearing up a mistake of mine. Now that's how ya do it.

Try not to let it happen again, newbie.

I've got the video of his CFB HOF induction speech somewhere... I think at the time, I got the impression that he was finishing 2nd consistently, but was taking heat from the AD for not finishing first. So rather than hang around and deal with that, he jumped on the offer to be on Schembechler's staff at UM.

LOL. Tough to keep finishing in 2nd...can't blame the man for taking a gig in AA.