As he searches for a new men's basketball coach, Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder is armed with a powerful negotiating tool.
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Boone Pickens.
The entire country knows about Pickens, as do potential coaching candidates. This figures to up the salary ante considerably.
In alphabetical order, here are my top 26 candidates for the job, with their current salary and what it might cost OSU to land him:
Anthony Grant of Virginia Commonwealth. It's no coincidence this A-list candidate is listed first. Current salary: $600,000. Estimated cost for OSU: $1.2 million.
Billy Gillispie of Kentucky. If you offer Gillispie a job, have a detailed contract ready — in triplicate. Current salary: $2.3 million. Cost for OSU: $3.25 million.
Chris Lowery of Southern Illinois. This guy is a stud. Teams are well-coached and tough. Current salary: $750,000. Cost for OSU: $2 million.
Dana Altman of Creighton. Calling the Hogs scared him away. "Go Pokes” is much less embarrassing. Current salary: $1 million. Cost for OSU: $1.5 million
ESPN analyst Bob Knight. He revered Mr. Iba, but it's doubtful he would coach on a court named after Eddie Sutton. Current salary: Unknown. Cost for OSU: $3 million, plus free fishing and hunting.
Floyd, Tim — USC coach. Was a candidate at LSU. Don't let him escape to the bayou. Current salary: $850,000. Cost for OSU: $2 million
Gonzaga coach Mark Few. There must be something that can pull this guy away from Spokane. A ridiculous offer might do it. Current salary: $750,000. Cost for OSU: $2.5 million.
Hinson, Barry — former Missouri State and Oral Roberts coach and OSU grad. The Cowboys could use some good PR right now. Find me a better speaker than Hinson. Current salary: None. Cost for OSU: $300,000, plus $20,000 per speaking engagement.
Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich. If you're looking for a bargain, this former OSU assistant is your man. Current salary: $170,000. Cost for OSU: $170,001.
Jay Wright of Villanova. How can such a nice guy be so attached to such a mean town like Philadelphia? Current salary: $1.3 million. Cost for OSU: $2.6 million
Keno Davis of Drake. His first name offers lousy odds in Las Vegas, but he might be worth the gamble. Current salary: $200,000. Cost for OSU: $800,000.
Lon Kruger of UNLV. A coach who can be lured with golf perks. Current salary: $1.2 million Cost for OSU: $2 million and no green fees.
Mike Brey of Notre Dame. Couldn't find terms of his current contract. Whatever it is, double it.
Nevada coach Mark Fox. Might have to beat Cal to the punch for this hire. Current salary: $500,000. Cost for OSU: $1.2 million.
Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. Just seeing if you're paying attention. Current salary: $1.050 million (pending). Cost for OSU: $2 million and a promise to fix up that "hellhole.”
Pittsburgh coach Jaime Dixon. Better hurry. He could be headed back to the west coast. Current salary: $1 million. Cost for OSU: $2 million.
Quinn Buckner, Indiana Pacers television analyst. Have no idea if he wants to coach. Couldn't find a coach's name that started with a Q. Cost for OSU: Negotiable.
Rob Jeter of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This small school has had some big-time coaches. Current salary: $400,000. Cost for OSU: $1 million.
Self, Bill — Kansas coach. How high is up for this OSU golden boy? Current salary: $1.675 million. Estimated cost for OSU: $4 million salary, plus incentives; investments through Pickens' firm at no charge; complimentary Karsten Creek house lot and golf membership; his own lodge near the clubhouse, a la Pickens and Sherman Smith; Ryder Cup gear from Scott Verplank; Bob Tway's sand wedge from the 1986 PGA Championship; putting tips from Andy Dillard; free lessons from Holder; private table at Eskimo Joe's; unlimited orders of Fowl Thing w/cheese fries; Barry Sanders autographed football; a national championship for Kansas on Monday night. Guarantee all this, and maybe Self might listen.
Tony Bennett of Washington State. Doubled his salary last season and might soon double it again. Current salary: $800,000. Cost for OSU: $2 million.
University of Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. It would be great to have this unfairly maligned workaholic back in Oklahoma. Current salary: $1.8 million. Cost for OSU: $3 million.
Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings. An intriguing candidate, but it might be tough to lure him away from Vandy's intramural program. Current salary: $1 million. Cost for OSU: $2 million.
Wright State coach Brad Brownell. If he was good enough to be Indiana's backup choice to Tom Crean, perhaps he deserves a look-see. Current contract: $200,000. Cost for OSU: $750,000.
Xavier coach Sean Miller. This school is doing everything it can to hang onto Miller. Current contract: $900,000. Cost for OSU: $2 million.
YMCA instructor. Take a chance. See if it's the coaching that matters, or the players. Cost for OSU: $11.50 per hour.
Zo Romar of Washington. Lorenzo has lured stout talent to Puget Sound. Why not Payne County? Current salary: $1 million. Cost for OSU: $1.75 million.
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and Patrick, as an OU fan who lives in Florida and who took a curiousity ride to Troy for the OSU game, it might interest to you this Oklahoman and his son stayed around longer than T-Bone wearing our black polos trying to show some faith for our state brethren. Have a nice day....
Patrick, OU would very likely accept Mr. Pickens' green, BUT NOT WITH THE STRINGS WHICH COME ATTACHED. They don't have to....they have enough of the common folk giving without strings attached, they don't have to make a fool of themselves like Boner does....Now, I am happy as hell that he has made OSU semi-competitive, but even the most ardent OSU fan has to cringe when Boner is on TV making his entry and departure from every event.
Likewise to you. It is great that you support and believe in OU. My daughter is going to attend OU. I am very supportive of her decision. I wanted her to go to OSU but she is majoring in Journalism and what better place to go than OU who have the Gaylord School of Journalism. OSU has a good College of Journalism but I know she will get a better education at OU in Journalism.
I agree with that. I was the same at OU. We've been season ticket holders for years and was there during the Blake era at every game. Now, we've been rewarded with six fifty yard line season tickets. I love great fans of any team. I've got to go now. Nice visiting with you.
What burns me the most is the "fair weather", "bandwagon", whatever you want to call them fans. I was in the stands in college when OSU went 0-10-1, sucked...BIG TIME. But I was there, every game. Went to the infamous Ice Bowl with my folks...that was really not a good game to go to. I believe you should support your school come rain or shine. If you aren't there for teh rough times, don't come around when the party is going on. Don't need you!
I agree. I also want you to know I grew up near Tecumseh, Oklahoma and was an OU fan all my life so I think it's the greatest. There's nothing wrong with a friendly rivalry.
Oh I don't doubt that there will be some W/L in our favor and vice-a-versa. That's what makes Bedlam so special. I like sparing with my OU buddies, I just don't like the nasty spiteful smack that comes out of some people and I am not afraid to sling it right back. My brther is an OU fan...makes for interesting holidays. No football allowed...unless it is some school that no one cares about.
That's true. I really think that some kids do want the tradition and there you are right...OU has the Tradition. I grew up in Stillwater, so my loyalties are there, not only because that is where I was raised but because that is where I choose to go to school. I was accepted to OSU, OU, OCU and SMU. Decided to stay with OSU, never have regretted my choice. Best school in the state...IN MY OPINION!
Also, I like OU's chances of having domination over OSU in football for years to come. I won't say that OSU won't win one every now and then. I'm really not very afraid of a change.
I watched the video ST and I as a Sooner won't deny that OSU will have the finest facilities. I'm sorry though, it didn't strike any fear in my heart. You see, you got one major obstacle against you, it's still OSU in Stillwater, Oklahoma. And I do disagree with Coach Switzer, kids do care about tradition and winning championships.
Wayne...go to You-yube and look up Barry "the God" Switzer. You will see that what were are doing at OSU should..."Strike fear in my heart for any Sooner to come see this..." Here is the link
Paula, the Dexter Manley reference is pretty old. Sure, he could not read. But if you think for one minute passing athletes who did not do their own work was limited to OSU you are blind. In the 70's-80's it was typical to have other students do the work for athletes. By the way, illiteracy and being stupid like you are not at all related. OSU has its share of some pretty impressive individuals, none of which I will bother to bore you with because you seem to be content with looking only at the isolated incidences that support your petty jealousy. But if your 10 minutes is not up at the library's computer center, you can always look them up on your own. Programs as well. Take some time to look at the accolades given to OSU students and alumni before you spout off with more of your baseless drivel.
Interesting comment "Randy"...wonder what the production rate of criminals is at that "Glorified High School" compared to osu...And "Kevin"...have you seen the facilities at Norman? Doesn't seem like anyone there is jealous of T-Bones money...just my opinion
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOJ99gipUCQ