Hey Jeff,
I agree with your statement that this shouldn't be put on James Franklin. When you look at the salaries of any Men's College football or basketball coach, they all make 1M - if not more. Last night I saw that Channel 13 news in Baltimore was making a big deal about this. With everything else going on in this nation's economy, they run a story about James Franklin. He is well deserving of that money if that don't hire him as the head coach. He is the master recruiter for that team and MD is lucky that he is willing to stick around until Ralph leaves.

Point right on!
James Franklin should protect his interests.
Why should Mr. Franklin let let quality job offers go by while waiting for a position that was promised and not guaranteed.
This is a non- issue, end of story.
Best of luck to James Franklin and the Terps when he is the Head Coach!

Sincerely, Jim C.

Off the present topic, but certainly central to "Tracking the Terps" and the ongoing banter questioning Williams' refusal to engage in any questionable recruiting tactics, there should be something posted regarding the recent recruiting violations uncovered at UConn and the juxtaposition between Gary Williams' and Calhoun's respective recruiting approaches (i.e., "clean vs. ???). Of course, such accusations are in their formative stages, but, as they say, "where there's smoke..."

While no rush to judgment should be made until all of the facts are in, if true, these are major recruiting violations akin to Kelvin Sampson's OU/IU debacle. And, it appears to be more than an incredible coincidence that Miles and Ater Majok (remember him, folks, the under-the radar phenom from whom the Terps, at one time, reportedly had all but wrapped up a commitment) both signed with UConn only shortly after being brought into contact with that agent. The facts concerning UConn's knowledge and/or involvement with this guy, which seems to be compelling from the presently revealed information, will ultimately surface. However, when coupled with Calhoun's memorable--and now banned--$25,000 payment to Rudy Gay's AAU coach's team and Gay's corresponding commitment to UConn, it appears that Calhoun, whose recruiting ethics I've long questioned (why would anyone want to willingly attend school in Storrs, CT???), will, hopefully and finally, get his just desserts.

Just my $.02.

Why not make the financial overture to coach Franklin? These coaches bring in the athletes that put fanny's in the seats at the games and make money for the University.

jim c. nailed it - why wouldn't we want Gary and his hatred of AAU hustlers instead of Calhoun and recruit at any cost methods? why the NCAA doesn't quash these AAU team influences is beyoond me - why do they allow these kids to accept all the "gifts" without declaring them to be pros?

I think this is the biggest NON story
Ive seen in a long long time! Coach is one of the best that is out there and has contacts across the nation. This guy could have a job almost anywhere he wants. The TERPS are LUCKY he agreed to it. Hell Charlie Weis and Urban Meyers contracts are worth how many millions? I think the Terps played this one nicely and when Ralph retires (which I hope is not soon) The Terps will be rockin

Terp'nTexas hit the nail on the head. The dirty little secret that everyone knows but no one reports is the classless cheater in Jim Calhoun. Now that he can't buy off AAU coach's for recruits, he has to go directly to the player. Jeff, go ahead and ask gary Williams how he feels about Jimmie Calhoun.

SORRY FOLKS IM SOTA MIXED WITH THIS ONE. I DO AGREE THAT ITS NOT COACH FRANKLINS FAULT I DO BELIEVE MD HAS  TO EXERCISE SOME MORE RESTRAINT IN THIS ISSUE. I DONT BELIEVE IN CACH IN WAITING I THINK A COACHING POSITION SHOULD BE AN OPEN SEARCH. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FICKLE WHAT IF MD DECIDES FOR SOME REASON THAT COACH FRIDGE AND COACH ARENT DOING THE JOB WERE NOW ON THE HOOK FOR MORE THAN 2MIL.

The financial arrangement is a smart move for both sides in the athletic dept.We have a plan for the future and unless Franklin violates some kind of coaching standard in the meantime(ex-recruiting violations,etc.) or he changes his mind his family has some kind of guarantee to make a good(albiet busy) living.That's how I see it,for now.No harm done;although I would'nt want all sports in the athletic dept. to follow this strategy in committing to future coaching.

Please remember that Maryland's athletic department is SELF SUFFICIENT and receives NO TAX PAYER DOLLARS. The salary paid to Fridge and the $1MM possibly going to Franklin are NOT FUNDED BY THE TAXPAYERS. Please don't freak out about this!!

Mannie -

I have a couple friends you should meet. Please let me introduce you to the "Caps Lock" key. Try pressing it.

Now under him is the shift key. It will come in handy from time to time.

If you look to the left of the "Enter" key, you will see an apostrophe. Using this can actually change an entire word (such as were) to an entirely different word (like we're).

On behalf of everyone who has to read what you type, PLEASE take the time to get to know your new friends.

Agreed. It's a broken system. Everyone in the sports/entertainment industry is way overpaid, but it really isn't their fault. These programs have the potential to bring in enormous sums of money, especially at the professional level, so taking the high road and turning down a huge offer really amounts to nothing more than selling yourself short.

Thx 4 the intro Barfan i did not know that my message was being graded. That said what is your point?

Can he coach basketball while he is waiting?

Just busin' your balls Mannie.

As for the guarantee, I like the coach in waiting. Since he is so instrumental in recruiting, it is nice for Franklin to be able to assure the potential recruits that he will be there - in one position or another - for the duration of their time at Maryland. Also as much as I like Fridge he is not, ahem, the picture of health. Looking at his future is not quite like Gary, who seems like he could coach another 10 years without missing a step.

Wow, did this thread of responses go all over the place...

A few thoughts...

$1mil "guarantee"...agree its a non-issue. Everyone in the world tries to negotiate a better deal whenever they can, whether its getting a job, buying a car, or scalping a ticket. Yes, we're in tough economic times but why does the media start to focus on situations like this? Just because its a state educational institution? Even though - as pointed out - salaries come solely from a self-sufficient AD and NOT tax monies.

Not sure how some of you got off track and starting talking men's basketball recruiting but I'd rather be clean with Gary - although I still think he can recruit better - than have a sleeze like Calhooun here. A NC isnt worth the loss of integrity.

BTW - geoff smoot - "Why doesnt the NCAA put a quash the AAU team influences and parasitic handlers?" In MANNIE's words...MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!! The NCAA makes more money from network and cable TV when the product on the floor is better. Its not about schools with legitimate student-athletes; its about teams with better semi-professional basketball players. The NCAA isnt going to quash the cash cow. THe system isnt broken - its exactly where the NCAA wants it. They'll posture from time to time and throw out sanctions when coaches like Sampson at Indiana cant help but be Captain Obvious when it comes to breaking rules but turn the other way when Calhoun and others skirt the rules or find ways around them when its clear whats being done isnt fair. But lets be real - college athletics is big business. Its not what many of us grew up experiencing when we went to school.

With Calapari levaing Mempis, why don't we move in and scoop up the incoming players who are now being let out of their LOIs. I understand 2 are top 10 recruits. I would pull the offer to stephenson since he is just going to play head games with the suitors.

Why should a puny, skimpy million dollars become an issue of concern?

If this is the case, ask the Orioles and Redskins why they're spending MILLION-S, even on for one player?