shadow

Buyouts – Coaching Free Agency

A university has a vested interest to see that coaches’ contracts are contractually fulfilled, to prevent movement of a coach to a same or similar position during the term of the contract, especially within the same Conference, to prevent use of trade secrets or confidential information obtained during the coaching tenure, to prevent solicitation of enrolled student-athletes or recruits, and to minimize the outrageous costs of replacement.

MOU a Secret Agreement in College Sports and Coaching

Ron Prince began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at Dodge City Community College working with offensive tackles and tight ends. In 1993, Prince received his first full-time coaching position at Alabama A&M. Following one year at Alabama A&M, Prince made multiple coaching stops at South Carolina State, James Madison, Cornell, and Virginia before getting the coaching break of his career. In late 2005 Prince was named the head football at Kansas State University (KSU). Prince inherited a team from the most successful coach in KSU history, Bill Snyder. In 2006 Prince led the Wildcats to a winning record of 7-6 and a bowl game berth, and followed up that season with two successive losing seasons of 5-7, finishing with a final coaching record of 17-20. Prince was terminated by KSU after the 2008 season (effective Dec. 31, 2008), triggering litigation that would divide the university, its employees, and its supporters.

Pray to Play: The Termination of Beckie Francis

Oakland University was founded in 1957 as a satellite school to Michigan State University. The university was originally named Michigan State University – Oakland. The school was renamed Oakland University in 1963 and is a public institution. In 1970, the university was granted autonomy from Michigan State and became independent. Oakland has an approximate enrollment of 19,740 students, has 139 baccalaureate degree programs and 125 graduate degree and certificate programs. Oakland's motto is "Seek virtue and knowledge." Oakland athletics participate at the Division I level. Previously known as the Pioneers, the teams now are known as the Golden Grizzlies. Oakland was part of the Summit League from 1998 to 2013. In September 2013 it was announced that Oakland was moving to the Horizon League.

The Termination of Rutgers Coach Mike Rice, Jr.

Mike Rice, Jr. was an assistant collegiate basketball coach at a number of universities, including Marquette (1994-1997), and became the head basketball coach at Robert Morris University from 2007-2010. At Robert Morris, Rice compiled a record of 73 wins and 31 losses during his tenure and participated in the first round of the NIT and NCAA tournaments. In 2010 he was hired as head basketball coach at Rutgers University (Rutgers), a member of the Big East Conference. His record at Rutgers through the 2013 season was 44 wins and 51 losses, without a tournament appearance. On or about May 6, 2010, Rice and Rutgers entered into an employment contract. The term of the contract was from May 6, 2010 through April 7, 2015. Rice received two forms of compensation, a base salary and guaranteed compensation.

The Defense of Sovereign Immunity: Mike Leach and Texas Tech

Mike Leach became Texas Tech University’s (TTU) 14th head football coach in 2000 replacing “Spike” Dikes. When Leach arrived at TTU, the program was on probation and the graduation rate was below average. During his time at TTU, Leach had a winning record of 84-43, making an appearance at a bowl game each year. In 2008, he won a slew of awards including the George Munger Award, the Woody Hayes Trophy, Big 12 Coach of the Year, and the FieldTurf/Howie Long Coach of the year. Additionally, the Red Raiders were the Big 12 South Division Champions in 2008. When Leach left, he was the all-time winningest coach in postseason play at TTU. Leach led TTU to ten straight bowl games and the highest graduation rate for football players from a public institution in the country. Leach served until December 28, 2009 when he was suspended indefinitely and then fired two days later. Ruffin McNeill, TTU’s defensive coordinator, was named as the interim head coach and led the team during the Alamo Bowl. Tommy Tuberville is currently the coach at TTU. Leach became the head football coach of Washington State University on November 30, 2011, and commenced his career at Washington State starting with the 2012 season. He has a five-year rollover contract which makes him the 4th highest paid coach in the PAC 12.