I responded to volinsc post below in different places and it was getting long and going in some different directions so here goes. SC Vols chip in with what you are hearing.
Brent mentioned a new sheriff in town and that is a key to understanding their situation. Harris Pastides had never been to a sports school as a student or anything else when he came to USC. He was not a fan of big time sports but thought to was out of control. Harris is the reason I came to USC and we became friends. I say this as a compliment to his leadership. He reads an organization well and that is exactly how he became president and then a big time gamecock supporter, even the NCAA president I think. When the AD position came open Tanner was coming off national championships and the most popular man on campus. He lobbied hard to become AD, and had a taste of AD office experience early in his career. It was an easy call for Pastides. And the wrong one it turns out.
Tanner is a nice guy, good baseball coach, lousy ASD. Period. He totally botched the eventual Muskrat hiring and then by giving him the big contract and buyout--sound familiar? Same with Frank Martin and his contract. Then he had to take care of Dawn Staley because she was more successful than Martin but not the contract. And Staley behind the scenes is quite forceful ned demanding.
The firing of Muskrat was the doing of new President Caslin, an old general with a no nonsense type personality and hands on management style. He is not happy with Tanner--take that to the bank. With Tanner I expect that he will "retire" rather than. be fired, something akin to what Fulmer did. Maybe not with the continued salary but who knows. I doubt Tanner will be fired. but he could stay on in fundraising as an elder statesman. He is a good fundraiser and personally well liked.
A note about Muskrat. Brent and Austin have said how much coaches talk and that is where this comes from, a coach ready to move to SC. I am certain about this. Tanner knew Muskrat would be fired and had ( probably through an agent but I do not know for sure) targeted his man. But he knew who he wanted. He was not going to make the same mistake as before. The coach in question was a young and up and comer but not Power 5, but also not Southern conference. When Caslin took the reins and fired Muskrat the targeted coach had not had a good season (actually bad) and to hire him would not only not get approved at USC but would have been a disaster for Tanner, so he was no longer in contention.
Frank Martin has had one essential success at USC, his improbable run to the Final 4. The high seeds lost and his team and Thornwell hit their stride late and took advantage. Tanner rewarded Martin with a Muskrat type contract and that is where we sit. Yes, there will a sit down and Martin may be willing to make adjustments in his buyout. As I mentioned in a the volinsc thread, Martin does not live a lavish lifestyle--a nice but modest house for a HC for example. I do not know but I think he may have some health issues beyond what is visible. I do not think they can afford to fire Martin this season after paying off Muskrat and with declining revenues. What next year will look like in football is anyone's guess but I cannot see how they can be very good. The hope for SC is perhaps (just speculation here) to blalme this season on COVID (which is valid) and keep Martin and hope he improves next year.
All I have. GBO and beat the chickens tonight,
be sit down and yes, most want Martin gone. But he has that huge buyout.
Brent mentioned a new sheriff in town and that is a key to understanding their situation. Harris Pastides had never been to a sports school as a student or anything else when he came to USC. He was not a fan of big time sports but thought to was out of control. Harris is the reason I came to USC and we became friends. I say this as a compliment to his leadership. He reads an organization well and that is exactly how he became president and then a big time gamecock supporter, even the NCAA president I think. When the AD position came open Tanner was coming off national championships and the most popular man on campus. He lobbied hard to become AD, and had a taste of AD office experience early in his career. It was an easy call for Pastides. And the wrong one it turns out.
Tanner is a nice guy, good baseball coach, lousy ASD. Period. He totally botched the eventual Muskrat hiring and then by giving him the big contract and buyout--sound familiar? Same with Frank Martin and his contract. Then he had to take care of Dawn Staley because she was more successful than Martin but not the contract. And Staley behind the scenes is quite forceful ned demanding.
The firing of Muskrat was the doing of new President Caslin, an old general with a no nonsense type personality and hands on management style. He is not happy with Tanner--take that to the bank. With Tanner I expect that he will "retire" rather than. be fired, something akin to what Fulmer did. Maybe not with the continued salary but who knows. I doubt Tanner will be fired. but he could stay on in fundraising as an elder statesman. He is a good fundraiser and personally well liked.
A note about Muskrat. Brent and Austin have said how much coaches talk and that is where this comes from, a coach ready to move to SC. I am certain about this. Tanner knew Muskrat would be fired and had ( probably through an agent but I do not know for sure) targeted his man. But he knew who he wanted. He was not going to make the same mistake as before. The coach in question was a young and up and comer but not Power 5, but also not Southern conference. When Caslin took the reins and fired Muskrat the targeted coach had not had a good season (actually bad) and to hire him would not only not get approved at USC but would have been a disaster for Tanner, so he was no longer in contention.
Frank Martin has had one essential success at USC, his improbable run to the Final 4. The high seeds lost and his team and Thornwell hit their stride late and took advantage. Tanner rewarded Martin with a Muskrat type contract and that is where we sit. Yes, there will a sit down and Martin may be willing to make adjustments in his buyout. As I mentioned in a the volinsc thread, Martin does not live a lavish lifestyle--a nice but modest house for a HC for example. I do not know but I think he may have some health issues beyond what is visible. I do not think they can afford to fire Martin this season after paying off Muskrat and with declining revenues. What next year will look like in football is anyone's guess but I cannot see how they can be very good. The hope for SC is perhaps (just speculation here) to blalme this season on COVID (which is valid) and keep Martin and hope he improves next year.
All I have. GBO and beat the chickens tonight,
be sit down and yes, most want Martin gone. But he has that huge buyout.
