No incentive for Stoops to negotiate?

[TheZookeeper]

I keep hearing and reading that Stoops has no incentive to negotiate his buyout. Maybe I'm totally naive on this, but it seems to me if he's confronted with the fact that he'll have very little NIL next year, no fan support, and will almost undoubtedly continue to drag his reputation and legacy (and winning percentage) through the dirt, isn't that some incentive to work something out? If the alternative is UK says, "look, we don't have the money for this buyout. But we also don't have the money to prop up the football program and we're going to continue to give basketball more than almost any other school does. You can stay another year and have your worst roster since year 1, or we can work something out that takes care of you and helps out the program."

I for one think Stoops' legacy would get a very real boost if the fans perceive that he helped the program out even a little bit. Agree?

And here's me being naive again. If you've made $50+ million as a coach and who knows how many more millions from your bourbon business, how much difference does it really make in your life if you get $37m within 60 days, or $30m?

[Los Gatos]

Although you are correct, Stoops has "some" incentive to accept a lower buyout. I suspect he is playing hardball in a attempt to maximize the amount. Looking at your proposal, this would be very detrimental to the football program and the revenue UK might receive next year. Stoops and his agent know this and that UK would be very reluctant to take such an action.

[TheZookeeper]

Although you are correct, Stoops has "some" incentive to accept a lower buyout. I suspect he is playing hardball in a attempt to maximize the amount. Looking at your proposal, this would be very detrimental to the football program and the revenue UK might receive next year. Stoops and his agent know this and that UK would be very reluctant to take such an action.

I take your point. I think if Barnhart wanted to try that tactic they could've kept it more hush-hush that they think they can put the buyout together if needed. Might be tough to convince him you won't do it after everyone in the media is saying you're prepared to. Barnhart does have a reputation for being fiscally conservative.

[Majoga]

You are talking about a dude that only recently (after South Carolina if memory serves) went on the Monday presser and insisted he had nothing to do with the offense. Then later the same night on his own show, proceeded to explain his decisions on some offensive calls. Then even more recently, skipped out on his own show. He is as full of crap as JVC was at the end.

At this point, it is my impression that this dude doesn't give a rip about anything other than getting a bag by any means possible, by any cost to others (team, school, fan base etc.), and at any cost to his reputation and legacy. It has become a very sad state for all involved.

Hoops soon though. YAY!

[CrimsonCats]

I still see a negotiated exit at a lower price point being a highly unlikely scenario, unfortunately. Avoiding the ire of fans is really the only bargaining chip the athletic department has, and I doubt many coaches would leave multiple millions of dollars on the table for it. There’s also the fact that coaches voluntarily forgoing buyout money they’re contractually entitled to basically doesn’t happen, and Stoops would likely be under some pressure behind the scenes from his agent and fellow coaches not to set that kind of precedent.

Also, as funny as it may sound on the surface to basically cut support to the program and make him quit if he won’t volunteer to, that would be an unprofessional move that we may never recover from. No coach of any talent or reputation would touch us with a 10 foot pole if we pulled that kind of stunt to get out of honoring a contract. Barnhart really put us in a jam by offering such lopsided terms, but we probably have no choice but to live by them now.

[Matt Dillon]

Best case scenario, in my opinion, would be if UK could get Stoops to agree to prorate the buy-out over several years.

[Jeffky62]

Matt jones on his radio show said" UK can get the 36 million to buy him out ". He stated he thought they were unable to do that ,but now he believes they have the money to do it. Either case it has to be done !!

[KYWILDCAT41035]

My personal opinion and it's just a personal opinion. We get lucky and we have another Cal situation on our hands and another school wants Stoops ( I know this is a very long shot) . For instance Iowa's Ferentz is getting close to retiring (27 years coaching) and Stoops plays their style of football and they come calling for their son to come home. I know it's a stretch but shouldn't seem like too big of a stretch.

[KYWILDCAT41035]

Matt jones on his radio show said" UK can get the 36 million to buy him out ". He stated he thought they were unable to do that ,but now he believes they have the money to do it. Either case it has to be done !!

I just can't believe UK has to come up with 36 million to get out of this disaster UNREAL..... TBH Mitch needs to be no where near the next hiring if this does end up happening.

[WeWant9]

How many coaches have taken a reduced buyout? I’m curious if there are many instances of it. UK got lucky Cal got caught with his pants down, I don’t see it working out that way with Stoops.

[CrimsonCats]

How many coaches have taken a reduced buyout? I’m curious if there are many instances of it. UK got lucky Cal got caught with his pants down, I don’t see it working out that way with Stoops.

The only case of that I’m aware of is Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. That was a totally different circumstance though where he really wanted to stay even though the administration was prepared to fire him with the full buyout , so he restructured his contract as the price for getting another chance. I don’t know of any instances of coaches giving up some of the buyout just to make firing them feasible like we’d be asking of Stoops in this situation.

[KyWilson239]

There is a solution to every problem. I see this unfolding on 2 fronts.:

1- they renegotiate the payment terms from 60 days to however many years are left on the contract, this is the big one. If he does this it would be with a clause that he forfeits the remaining payment if he takes another job before the payment term is over.

2- He has heavy business ties to this region that can be leaned on. You can pressure him through back channels

[Catsrock]

How many coaches have taken a reduced buyout? I’m curious if there are many instances of it. UK got lucky Cal got caught with his pants down, I don’t see it working out that way with Stoops.

Certainly don’t know how many, but didn’t Billy Clyde negotiate and take less than discussed. Of course that was different too since he never signed the contract. Odd situation but his final buyout was a compromise. It happens.

[Pobilly]

At this point, Continue to pay Stoop, make a move for Stoops to another department with the State of Kentucky (I checked on this and it can be done), his pay is his pay no matter where he goes within the state. Then hire your new candidate. It would be easier to come up with Stoops $$ yearly plus 4 or 5 million for the new coach (with less going to assistants). Easier to eat that than the lump sum and hiring a new coach right now.

[TheZookeeper]

At this point, Continue to pay Stoop, make a move for Stoops to another department with the State of Kentucky (I checked on this and it can be done), his pay is his pay no matter where he goes within the state. Then hire your new candidate. It would be easier to come up with Stoops $$ yearly plus 4 or 5 million for the new coach (with less going to assistants). Easier to eat that than the lump sum and hiring a new coach right now.

This would be hilarious but no doubt any attempt to follow through would be litigated and messy. I like the creativity though.