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I heard from a source that the administration is upset, but it has nothing to do with the record and everything to do with the amount of $ being spent on basketball - a big chunk of which is Boals contract, which they disagree with.

I got the feeling the general sentiment is they think he's way overpaid and have been planning to let him walk once the contract runs out, regardless of any wins and losses.

The admin does not prioritize wins or losses in anything but football, because football is the only sport operating financially in the black. So they're running it like a business. Support the department that keeps you afloat (in their opinion). They can't "cut" the other departments (sports) because they have to stay D1. But they also don't have to fund them or care. And they won't. And they don't.

I was told specifically - the admin could not care less if any other sports team wins 0 games or 30 games. 1 football game at OSU net them $2.5M. Basketball or baseball don't make that in 5 years combined. So, just reign in their budgets.

Boals contract is at odds with that philosophy. He's gone no matter what. And he knows it too. Might play a small part in that "he's mailed it in" feeling some have. Also explains the lack of staff shakeup. Also explains why he's not on any "hot seat" per se - because they aren't spending a nickel on any buy-outs.

I think Jeff and staff are still truly trying to win games. It just won't matter in the end - and I'm sure some of that stings when it's coming from your alma mater.

And if you think going 15-17 is bad? Wait until you see this team with the next staff. Baseball team is currently 6-25. Admin is perfectly fine with it. They'll be fine when the basketball team's record is similar as well. Buckle up.

Fiction Friday...on a Saturday.

I know most people here seem to have a hard time grasping this, but revenue share changes the economics of college basketball dramatically, and I don't see how anybody can make a compelling case that Boals isn't overpaid at this point.

His salary represents a ridiculous percentage of the program's operating budget, and the on-the-floor results haven't increased revenue. His contract was negotiated at a time when revenue couldn't be shared with players, and there are coaches in the same conference as Boals, employed by state schools in the same state, that get better results for demonstrably less money.

Spending less will undoubtedly make it harder to attract and excellent coach; but both Saul and Boals were brought in under a philosophy of paying as the top job in the conference, and we now have 12 years of mediocre results from that approach.

Certainly doesn't align with the fact that the university found a decent amount of money to help Boals populate next year's team. When he speaks of a culture change he means we're going to adopt the Akron model.

As for organizational changes, yes, I'm sure they're coming. That's what happens when a new AD comes in. Perhaps your "source" is threatened by that, as were a few staffers when the previous AD made structural changes. One change I know is happening is the transition of all fundraising activities to the University Development staff. Not a fan of that myself, but I'm sure Slade is following direction from above.

What exactly is the Akron model? Might also explain why Boals recently started following Sharron Young.

This seems in line with the departures we've seen. Frankly, it also seems better aligned with Boals/his staff's talents. There's definitely been inconsistent results identifying & developing high school talent, but they've been able to get good results out of older transfers for the most part.

It seems as though most people think contracts should be negotiated monthly.

From the Albin stuff that still persists, to Boals now being overpaid.


Boals was given a contract extension not long after his mediocre result of winning an NCAA tournament game and a MAC title.


You don't go back and say sorry pal, I need half that back. I realize you're making the 4th highest salary, but I expect more than 5th highest results. Please write me a check for $200K.

This... is just not how anything works.


He'll likely be let quit at the end of next season, and then we can go back to arguing why we're paying Darrel from Iowa $500K instead of paying Boals $600K.

So are you just complaining to complain or advocating for coaches to pay back their salary based on yearly results and changing landscapes?

Coaches sign contract extensions after successful seasons literally all the time. A contract is a contract. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The only way out of that is by firing them. They're not firing him in April on the last year of his deal. Do we need another 20 pages of airing of grievances?

The point I was trying to make is for all the complaining and gnashing of teeth we see here about records vs certain opponents or player progression or recruiting from a limited region to players going on trips etc. That NONE of that ultimately matters.

Boals is done here when his contract is up and its up because of one thing. His salary.

You think we are going to pay Darrel from Iowa 500k rather than Boals 600k? Nah. I'm saying instead we're going to pay John from South Dakota 250k. And then forget about him and the team until his contract is up.

Football is king. Nothing else matters.

“They’re not firing him on the last year of his deal.” Is this the last year or does Coach Boals have two seasons left? Some have suggested he has two years???

You do know that an AD doesn't make moves such as this without direction from the president and/or BOT. I can certainly believe they told her not to let Boals get away after beating Virginia in the NCAA tournament. I know it hurts you that leadership was far less enamored of Timmy.

This of course presumes that anyone wants to play for one of the least paid coaches in college basketball and that person can actually sell them on playing here.

I'm with you man. We're aligned on 90% of this situation. But this is just too simplistic of a view. I don't for a second think its as easy as fire this guy, money pool holds, now you have free money to spend on all these better players.

- One, you actually have to find a better coach and sell him on making far less than his predecessor because your new view is, I'm gonna pay you less, so we can pay players more.
- Two, this new guy actually needs to find, and recruit better players. We've talked about it ad nauseum, but the actual recruiting aspect of the job isn't being done well enough. Budgetary restrictions, I don't know. But it's not currently working. And we don't know that it will improve under a guy with less of a resume and less regional ties than Boals. Or that the money for that even exists.
- Three, you have to hope our small pool money doesn't follow Boals out the door.
- Four, you have to hope a young, unproven coach can handle the job of managing multiple six-figure egos, when he himself is barely making more.

That's a lot of hope. That's a lot of assuming players are driven only by cash. And maybe they are. But that's a lot for a low paid coach to deal with in addition to maintaining OU's historical, successful relevance in the MAC.