T1B

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:19 pm**

Just as I expected...BCG has been shopping himself for a raise. And I don't blame him. Expect Barnes to get a raise to $2,000,000.01 as soon as BCG signs.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 70716.html

Aggies sweeten the pot for Gillispie
A&M to give generous raise in an apparently successful bid to keep coach

Texas A&M appears ready to make Billy Gillispie the highest-paid men's basketball coach in the Big 12 Conference.

According to three high-ranking officials close to and within the A&M system, athletic director Bill Byrne and the third-year coach have reached a verbal agreement on a deal that would increase Gillispie's annual salary from $1.25 million to somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 million.

But the enhanced deal, which would run through 2012, still must be presented to the Texas A&M Systems Board of Regents for review in closed executive session today. It will be voted on and rubber-stamped for public view Friday.

That would leave Gillispie to sign the extension Monday, the same day ground is supposed to be broken on a $22 million basketball practice facility. If Gillispie signs the contract as expected, his annual salary would exceed the $1.8 million earned by Texas' Rick Barnes and the $1.6 million paid to Kansas' Bill Self.

Gillispie, 47, is 70-26 in three seasons in College Station and has taken the Aggies to three consecutive postseasons, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths. A&M advanced to the Sweet 16 this season for the first time in 27 years.

But with Arkansas still searching for a coach and Kentucky's courtship of Florida's Billy Donovan still far from a marriage, the road to Monday certainly has some potential twists with Gillispie headed to the Final Four in Atlanta.

A&M officials have declined to comment publicly about rumors Gillispie was being pursued by Arkansas. Frank Broyles, the Razorbacks' athletic director, was quoted in Wednesday's editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as saying he has offered the job to one coach and was awaiting word, although he declined to name the coach. Gillispie was the only name to surface out of Fayetteville, Ark., hours after Broyles fired Stan Health on Monday.

Broyles backed off those statements when reached by the Chronicle on Wednesday.

"That's not true exactly," Broyles said of the quotes attributed to him in the Democrat-Gazette. "Part of it's true, and part of it's not. I haven't talked to any coach."

When asked specifically about his pursuit of Gillispie, Broyles became angry.

"I have no comment. I have not talked to Billy Gillispie," Broyles said.

But the lines of communication would still seem to be open, judging from what Arkansas Board of Trustees chairman Stanley Reed had to say Wednesday night.

"That's my understanding," Reed said of Gillispie's still being a candidate at Arkansas. "That's the last information I've got."

Reed said he heard Arkansas made a counteroffer, but he didn't know the specifics.

"As far as I know, he's still a candidate," Reed said.

Word broke Wednesday morning that Gillispie and Byrne had come to an agreement to sweeten the coach's current contract, which also runs through 2012. But Gillispie made some odd moves that could be seen as hedging.

All week, he had planned to fly to Atlanta on Wednesday morning with seniors Acie Law and Marlon Pompey. Gillispie, however, did not board that flight. He took a later one Wednesday night.

Late in the day, the Bryan-College Station Eagle posted a story on its Web site in which interim school president Eddie Davis indicated Gillispie would return. But Davis' quote was ambiguous at best.

"I talked to coach Gillispie this morning, and he told me that as far as he's concerned, he's the coach at Texas A&M," Davis told the Eagle. "That's the end of the story for me."

Davis did not return repeated phone calls from the Chronicle.

In another development, for the first time a firm date has been established for the beginning of construction on a 50,000-square foot basketball practice facility at A&M, which had been a sticking point in negotiations to keep Gillispie.

Ground-breaking for the facility that will house the men's and women's team will begin Monday.

"The fence will go up (at the construction site), and they'll get it rolling," a person close to an A&M regent told the Chronicle.

The practice facility had been beset with delays because of an expansion of the building plans. The school's regents are expected to approve SpawGlass as the new construction manager for the project and have received assurances the facility will be built on time.

The Chronicle's John P. Lopez contributed to this report.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:35 pm**

But with Arkansas still searching for a coach and Kentucky's courtship of Florida's Billy Donovan still far from a marriage, the road to Monday certainly has some potential twists with Gillispie headed to the Final Four in Atlanta.

How come you didn't bold this line?

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:45 pm**

at this point, i don't think the Hog job is that much better than ATM. ATM is going to match them soon in terms of facilities and $$$ support. and while the Ags are like UT and OU fans (not the most sophsiticated hoops fans, let's say euphemistically--minus a core group of hoops fans).....they WILL show up to see a winner. and while the Hogs have a nice new Wal-Mart Gym....Reed is pretty good too....minus the hideous off-color parquet floor and T.Rex size state of TEXAS between the time lines ("ours is bigger than yours tu", whoop!). At minimum, I will defend OU fan on having a 20 year start on UT and ATM fan as per hoops national relevance, for better or Cletus worse.

i personally never put too much stock in Gillespie to Fayetteville. the Kentucky job, i doubt it but maybe.

Billy G is pretty much calling the shots in College Station...at UK he becomes the hunted.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:49 pm**

I got that but it doesn't seem to be a done deal. If Donovan turns down UK, I would think they would call Billy#2, wouldn't they?

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:59 pm**

could be, but in today's world....nobody wants to be a public #2 when he's got a fatass chicken in the pot at home. and with the hoops talent coming out of Texas in the last decade....i don't see why ATM can't be a solid contender for years. Sure UK is UK, but i bet there's every bit as much hoop talent (kids growing up watching the Rockets, Mavs, and Spurs success over the last 20 years) in Texas as there is in proximity to Lexington. and probably more in the future.

and don't think ATM doesn't have deep pockets. and, they are scared as hell that if Billy Clyde "a Texas guy" leaves.....then it's back to the toilet. it's all the success they know for a generation of Ags.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:05 pm**

Hmmmm....this conversation seems familiar except Billy G has LESS holding him to college station than Billy D.

I agree about talent.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:11 pm**

T REX wrote:Hmmmm....this conversation seems familiar except Billy G has LESS holding him to college station than Billy D.

I agree about talent.

yeah, but Billy G vs. Billy D is not the point I'm making (it ain't all about Gator fan self-good times with the hand lotion, dig?). i don't think Billy G will leave College Station. sure as hell not for Arkie, and most likely not for UK. that's what i'm saying. Props on your success in both major revenue sports, but i don't give a flying fuck about your AD Foley (who came across as a boob with a checkbook trying to hire Stoops--trust me, my Dad does legal work for OU), Billy D, or whatever.

and before you reply: Foley wrote a big check for Urban Meyer and he cashed it big time, sure.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:24 pm**

If writing fat checks for national championships is what it takes.....then so be it!

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:46 pm**

John Wooden wrote:If writing fat checks for national championships is what it takes.....then so be it!

Like I have said over and over, BCG is not leaving. Not now, at least. He said as long as A&M shows they are truly interested in building this program into a national power, he is along for the ride. Reed is a top of the line facility, sans the floor KC pointed out. I hate it too. A 22 million dollar practice facility is being built. The athletic weight room was just built recently and it, too, is state of the art.

A&M has money. Not the money say a t.u. or Ohio State has, but a whole lot more than Arkansas or Kentucky. BCG is interested in lining his own pockets as is everyone. The big difference is he wants to see A&M pump that money into the basketball program and that's exactly what the BOR at A&M is doing. That Kyle expansion they discussed? Not gonna happen anytime soon. Football will always be king, even if we suck. Basketball is ont he rise.

Anyhow, to answer your question, BCG was planning on going to the Final Four all along. He will be there with Acie Law and Marlon Pompey, seniors on his team. He didn't fly with them, but I don't put any stock in that.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:19 pm**

T REX wrote:If writing fat checks for national championships is what it takes.....then so be it!

sig worthy, but the dunce has scoreboard.

word up TRIX.

Boomer Sooner

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:23 pm**

IndyFrisco wrote: Anyhow, to answer your question, BCG was planning on going to the Final Four all along. He will be there with Acie Law and Marlon Pompey, seniors on his team. He didn't fly with them, but I don't put any stock in that.

all the D-1 coaches go to the FF. they get that, as a job perk. that he didn't fly with the team is iffy.....to me.

Law and Pompeii are likely playing in the "seniors" game or whatever they call it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:28 pm**

Yeah, but what I was hearing was it was because he was working on his deal with A&M, not someone else. As all have said, it's just a waiting game. I think part of it is no one wants to be "the big story" right now. The FF should be.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:50 pm**

IndyFrisco wrote:Yeah, but what I was hearing was it was because he was working on his deal with A&M, not someone else. As all have said, it's just a waiting game. I think part of it is no one wants to be "the big story" right now. The FF should be.

yer probably right about that. i'm with you that i don't think Billy G will leave ATM. i was being a little "paranoia" hussy media before. we had some beers at lunch....

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:02 pm**

IndyFrisco wrote:Yeah, but what I was hearing was it was because he was working on his deal with A&M, not someone else. As all have said, it's just a waiting game. I think part of it is no one wants to be "the big story" right now. The FF should be.

I sure wish the FF would have been the big story during Roy Williams last year at Kansas.......Thanks UNC.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:11 pm**

Mook, that's exactly what I was thinking about when I said that. The RW case. That was the whole story on the FF that year.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:29 pm**

A&M has money. Not the money say a t.u. or Ohio State has, but a whole lot more than Arkansas or Kentucky

give me a break

Kentucky is one of the few/only basketball coaching jobs where they can break the bank. they offered 4-5mil to a coach. aTm couldnt touch that with a 30foot pole.

Also, arkansas has the Wal Mart Klan behind them, as well as other boosters

There are 3-4 schools in the big12 alone who have bigger pocket books for basketball than aTm.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:36 pm**

unless the Kentucky job is open, i doubt he leaves. the big12 basketball wise is down, it's a great oppotunity to get in big recruits from the state and possibly win a few big12 titles.

there is bball talent in texas, and since he can get the kids to stay there and play, he can be very successful in the conference and make nice runs in the tourney.

but kentucky is miles and miles better of a job. the pay is sick, and he can now think of getting the best players in the country to come every year, not just the best in state.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:43 pm**

Adelpiero wrote:
A&M has money. Not the money say a t.u. or Ohio State has, but a whole lot more than Arkansas or Kentucky
give me a break

Kentucky is one of the few/only basketball coaching jobs where they can break the bank. they offered 4-5mil to a coach. aTm couldnt touch that with a 30foot pole.

Also, arkansas has the Wal Mart Klan behind them, as well as other boosters

There are 3-4 schools in the big12 alone who have bigger pocket books for basketball than aTm.

I was about to post the same thing.....its not that anyone has bigger pockets its UK is WILLINGand ABLE to spend 4-5 million for a coach. I don't think A&M would do that.....I don't think UF would either.

Scary.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:50 pm**

Adelpiero wrote: Also, arkansas has the Wal Mart Klan behind them

So did the KC Royals.

How did that work out?

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:27 pm**

Dinsdale wrote:
Adelpiero wrote: Also, arkansas has the Wal Mart Klan behind them

So did the KC Royals.

How did that work out?

Time will tell, but Glass enlarged the payroll by $15 mil this year up to $60 mil total. They're stockpiling some young talent and headed in the right direction.

What has $200 mil bought the Yankees lately, other than a huge luxury tax?

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:44 pm**

War Wagon wrote: What has $200 mil bought the Yankees lately, other than a huge luxury tax?

9 straight AL East titles?

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:57 pm**

dins

comparing owning a baseball team to being a booster is assanine

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:43 pm**

Dinsdale wrote:
War Wagon wrote: What has $200 mil bought the Yankees lately, other than a huge luxury tax?

9 straight AL East titles?

Well, there IS that.

However, you know as well as I do that anything less than a WS ring is considered a failed season by NYY standards.

And with that pitching staff they've assembled this year, looks like they won't be making it 10 straight division titles.

Posted: **Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:57 pm**

Adelpiero wrote:comparing owning a baseball team to being a booster is assanine

Huh?

Sin,
Phil Knight

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:36 am**

Adelpiero wrote:
There are 3-4 schools in the big12 alone who have bigger pocket books for basketball than aTm.

name them. and i'll spot you UT and KU...the latter is a choice by the school. it's what they are, and deserve the coin.

the thing you are missing is "potential" pocket books. a year ago the ciphers at texags.com didn't know what the rpi was. and Fran missed his shot to get over on UT (in recruiting, whatever)......once Mack shook the big game loser tag and won the NC. there was a BIG window for the ags then.....they dropped coin for a coach who won 10 games at Bama. and then something happened to the effect 5 or 6 game winning seasons.

a year ago the ciphers at texags.com didn't know what the rpi was, this year they didn't need to. they will follow a winner and Billy Clyde is giving them that. the Ags will pay--and with the success he's given them, they scared like batshit no one else can do it. think about the economy, oil money is in Texas.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:55 am**

ku
ut
Osu
MU

and dont give me any shit about MU, 1 booster virtually paid for their new stadium. they have 4-6 billionaires on their roster, who are very influential to the program(kroenke and his wife not so much anymore). they paid quinner 1.6+ mil per season. 900+ bonuses on bonuses.

OSU got a ton of money from their biggest booster.

Oil money? there is wal mart money in MU's corner.

theres 4 i dont know what OU has as boosters, S.I. already went through this about the big12 schools with biggest boosters.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:13 am**

then why do you guys still suck? Quin fuxking Snyder took you as far as Saint Norm ever did.

this isn't about "biggest booster cock rock"....

OSU can suck a frozen dick with T. Boone's money.....that money is about football. you think OSU will ever touch OU in football tradition or winning starting "now"? has mizzou ever *thought* about a national championship? ever? that's where OSU is. spend all the money you want, but the Liberty Bowl is where you live.

ATM can pay to keep Billy Clyde, all i'm saying. and they will, because they are scared as hell he's the only one who can do it.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:21 am**

King Crimson wrote:then why do you guys still suck?

We may suck, but you suck worse. So there.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:24 am**

ha ha.

too bad we don't have those those home and home conference games anymore. that was good sport. and you guys still suck. heh.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:34 am**

King Crimson wrote:then why do you guys still suck? Quin fuxking Snyder took you as far as Saint Norm ever did.

ATM can pay to keep Billy Clyde, all i'm saying. and they will, because they are scared as hell he's the only one who can do it.

who says aTm wont, but they cannot even come close to matching kentuckys price.

MU sucks? they are in total rebuild mode, and with a shitty team went over .500 and 2 games under in conference. they were picked to finish 11th or 12th. i am very happy with what i have seen. Can you say the same?

6 scholarships open next year for MU.

future is so bright i have to wear shades.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:35 am**

We do have home and home games... they're just every other damn year.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:40 am**

Adelpiero wrote:
future is so bright i have to wear shades.

Are you feeling ok.. er, PREACH IT, brother!

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:52 am**

Again...its not about the deepest pockets....its about the willingness to pay up......

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 5:57 am**

MU does suck. for a "basketball school" or whichever way you guys want to have it with Starship Pinkel.....how many times have you been to the Big Dance in the last 10 years?

3 times maybe? you are bragging about being .500?

the OU answer is 8 times. with a Final Four, an Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:00 pm**

Adelpiero wrote:dins

comparing owning a baseball team to being a booster is assanine

They may back Arkie and all, but the link I provided showing Arkie's contributions is way less than A&M's contributions. Arkie is a step down from A&M in every facet.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:06 pm**

T REX wrote:Again...its not about the deepest pockets....its about the willingness to pay up......

I agree. This is what makes me laugh about those saying they have Walmart in their corner. So fucking what? I don't see them outcontributing A&M. Just because they CAN (and I use that term loosely), doesn't mean they WILL.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:08 pm**

King Crimson wrote:ATM can pay to keep Billy Clyde, all i'm saying. and they will, because they are scared as hell he's the only one who can do it.

Bingo. And I will admit, at this point, Ag Fans do feel BCG is our only hope right now.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:26 pm**

Only reason I mentioned the roothogs and the the Wal-Mart ties is that they might be ready to get back into the game after lying low for a while. Since the quagmire with Nolan Richardson, they figured they'd make a safe hire (read: black) to let the rather tense situation die down a bit. Arkansas has been off the radar screen and I bet their sizeable fan base is itching to fill WALton Arena with hog hats and pig snouts again. Of course it doesn't mean that it'll happen. I just raised it as a possiblity that wouldn't surprise me.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:42 pm**

Adelpiero wrote:MU sucks? they are in total rebuild mode

Bwahaha! What?

This is the most worn out, unwarranted piece of "positive" PC talk used in all of sports.

"Rebuilding" is more applicable to programs like Duke or UCLA. You know, teams that actually fell from true grace, but only for a year or two and legitimately had to rebuild.

MU only "rebuilds" itself back into a pile of suck.

Posted: **Fri Mar 30, 2007 4:00 pm**

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote: MU only "rebuilds" itself back into a pile of suck.

Bullshit.

Before Norm got wrongfully forced out before his time, they were a perennial contender in the Big XII and the former Big 8. Quin was given the keys to a Cadillac, and he promptly drove that sucker off a cliff.

adel is correct, they are in a total rebuilding mode, and it's coming along as well as can be expected considering that Anderson has to wench this program out the depths of the Grand fucking Canyon.

Mizzou will be back amongst the elite programs. It's not a question of if, only of when. Only a matter of time.

T1B

Let's put the Billy Gillispie topic to rest shall we...

Let's put the Billy Gillispie topic to rest shall we...