Friedgen, Franklin and the $1M Promise
I have a story today about how long Ralph Friedgen might remain as head coach – and how his current thinking squares with the school’s “coach-in-waiting” agreement with offensive coordinator James Franklin.
There is a bit of a discrepancy here – which is one reason I wrote the story (i.e., to try to make sense of the situation).
Fridge says he’s not trying to set a record for coaching longevity. He says he won’t be Joe Paterno. But he doesn’t seem to want to be limited to three years. He talks generally about coaching three to five more years. He says he might be tempted to stay past 2012 if the Terps go to the Orange Bowl in, say, 2011.
But Maryland has a contract with Franklin that says the university is liable to Franklin for $1 million if Friedgen remains head coach beyond Jan. 2, 2012.
So how do you reconcile these two things?
One way would be for Franklin – who has passed up opportunities in the NFL and at other colleges -- to simply remain as offensive coordinator if Fridge stays on and therefore not exercise his right to claim the $1 million. Another way would be for Friedgen and Franklin to agree to amend the timetable, provided the school’s administration agrees.
Here’s a quote from Athletic Director Debbie Yow that didn’t appear in the story about the $1 million promise to Franklin:
“We have a legal obligation at this point in the document to (pay) that. If Ralph wanted to have that conversation with him, that has to be an agreement they would have that changes the document.There could always be a conversation – of course – between the two of them.,” Yow said.
A logical question is why Maryland officials inserted the January 2012 date in the “head coach option” of Franklin’s contract. They could have left the date open-ended.
My sense is that Maryland wanted to be fair to Franklin by giving him a time frame of sorts. The January 2012 date seemed to work because it was the end of Friedgen’s contract.
Franklin’s original contract ended on June 30, 2011. His new one – the one with the head coach option – ends the same day as Friedgen’s.
The clear hope of Maryland officials is that they get a smooth transition. Terps fans, I’m sure, are counting on that as well
Comments
Its a touchy situation I'm sure, but think about this....Ralph is probably almost to the 100lbs. mark in his weight loss, which is basically like losing a person on your shoulders. He's 62 but has probably been feeling 10 years older than that with his weight/health issues. He's feeling better physically and it has to be carrying over mentally. If I felt as relieve as I'm sure he does I'd probably want to stick around a little longer doing what I love too.
Can you blame him?
Posted by: George | July 1, 2009 1:05 PM
If Fridge is talking about an Orange Bowl in 2011, he should just step down now. That should be the goal every year and after 9 seasons of "rebuilding", I would've hoped that he could have achieved that goal at least two or three times. He has yet to reach that plateau with his own recruits and, as a season ticket holder, I don't want to hear that a team competitive enough to make it to the Orange Bowl is still two more years away.
----From Jeff---------
I understand your point. Just to clarify one thing...I think Fridge was tallking about the Orange Bowl in 2011 because that would be the last season of his current contract. That was the time period that the interview was focused on. I don't think he was saying that the bowl was not reachable in the meantime.
Posted by: Brad | July 1, 2009 2:11 PM
Remember that Ralph went 31-8 in his first 3 years playing mainly the athletes Ron Vanderlinden recruited. It the 5 years since, Ralph's teams and recruits are 33-28. Maybe James Franklin should take over tomorrow.
Posted by: Ed | July 1, 2009 5:41 PM
my only concern is what if Maryland goes to a bowl that is after jan 2, 2012? would ralph have to retire before the bowl game???
Posted by: Mike | July 1, 2009 8:25 PM
Wow....where would we be if Gary Williams( 20 years now) had to Coach under the Yow Gun !
30 seniors 08 best group and at one point #1 ACC and 2 games later your in Idaho. Chris Turner healthy and mature with a New Ralph Friedgen Slim and Sharp the Terps will only go up from here. Let us not forget an Orange, Peach and Gator in three Years I truly believe that this will be Ralph's New Diet.
Let's face it we love Terps football and until Fridge arrived it was just boring football, I'm so excited for the 09 ...Go Terps !!
Posted by: Jimmy Wallace | July 3, 2009 11:28 AM
Franklin hasn't proven himself to be given the program yet. I haven't seen anything special,(innovative play calling or game planning) out of his offense.
I will reiterate my stand on a successor, Mike Tice. Very similar to a Pete Caroll of USC.
Posted by: Tman | July 4, 2009 2:29 PM
in order to coach at the college level you MUST have a college degree, which to my knowledge mike tice doesnt h.however with that said he would be an excellent replacement if he gets/has his degree.
Posted by: TW | July 11, 2009 1:12 PM