According to FootballScoop and Dave Campbell's Texas Football

https://footballscoop.com/news/update-at-rice-where-a-pat...

As much as I'd like for him to stay in Athens, if he is offered the job, he needs to accept it. Always go for the money. He makes a nice living in Athens now, but Rice could offer him generational money.

I love what this says about Ohio’s program. I just hope that if he leaves they promote from within and keep it going.

If I were Rice, I'd be most interested in the Sam Houston guy.

Would Albin really go to Rice? I just googled the last guys contract and he only made $900K.

That's not exactly generational wealth. He's making $800K+ in Athens and pumping out 10 win seasons.

Jim Grobe comes to mind. He took over an Ohio program that was 0-11 in 1995. In Grobe's 1st year Ohio went 2-8-1. Second season 6-6. Third season 8-3 and I thought he might be gone. But he stayed 3 more seasons. In his 6th season the team went 7-4 with wins over Minnesota and Marshall. Then Grobe accepted the job at moribund Wake Forest. I phoned him. (We had become close as his 6 years as Ohio coach coincided with my 6 years as president of the Ohio Akron-Canton alumni chapter.) He told me that it was difficult to leave Ohio, but the Wake job would give him and his family a sizable nest egg that he felt obligated to provide.

How did the move work out on the field? Not bad. In 2006 he was voted ACC Coach of the year and Associated Press Coach of the Year. He retired after the 2013 season by which time the Wake program had flattened from the 2006 mountain top.

Might Albin see a Rice-like job as one that would give him more of a nest egg plus some possible national recognition if he proves able to resurrect its program?

Not if they only offer him the $900k that the current coach is making. I'm guessing here, but I'd guess that the cost of living in Houston is 30-40% higher than in Athens, so making $900k in Houston would be like making $670,000 in Athens, and thus, a pay cut in spending power. I don't believe Texas has an state income tax, so it would figure out better than $670k, but still, I don't think it would be a significant pay increase.

Now, if Rice were to offer $1.5 million, then yes, that would be a good increase.

Edit - Here's a cost of living comparison. One thing it doesn't factor in is the dramatic increase in commute time and driving distance. In Houston, you probably should plan for at least 1/2 hour each way for commuting to work.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?...

Albin has been an excellent head coach. However, if I were a "big football" AD making a critical coaching hire, I wouldn't choose him. As much as I like him, he's got a poor media presence and does not exude leadership or confidence. He seems nervous and unsure of himself in interpersonal situations. His hiring would likely bring immediate, albeit unwarranted, criticism to the AD.

I also believe Albin would like to emulate Frank's career - stay where you're wanted and build a legacy. I have no problem with another bump in pay, at least to approach what Candle is making at Toledo.

This the key. I don't expect him to get only one offer. I think he can do a lot better than Rice, if he decides to move.

I think if Albin does leave we should bring back Spence Nowinsky or look outside of the program. I get that we are winning but I’d like a more exciting offense.

Davidson College....surprising