Interesting comment by John A. in his latest....

[UcMiami]

I think Walz will receive offers for a lot more money when major school vacancies occur. Would Louisville match an offer for $1.5 million/year? TN and TX might offer that. Would Walz accept a substantial increase in salary and decide to stay at Louisville.

I doubt Louisville would have to match $ for $, but they would probably have to up their ante significantly - which I think they would do. I have to believe with the attendance they are getting at the Yum, the program has to be doing much better financial since he arrived. The reason I don't think they have to match dollars is that Louisville is 'Jeff's program' and the facilities are state of the art. Sort of like a 'home town discount' for pro players. That is why unless the $ number gets ridiculous, folks like Jeff, Muffett, Kim, Sherri who have placed their name on the programs they lead, just aren't likely to be tempted to take over someone elses mess.
I actually think Texas is a more attractive program than TN - at Texas you are already one coach removed from a legend (and that legend had already lost some luster at the end.) At TN you are THE COACH WHO REPLACED THE LEGEND - and unless you win an NCAA your first year, it is going to be a huge load of baggage you are carrying.

 

[alexrgct]

And even if you win an NC, if you don't keep winning at the clip Pat did, fans can get antsy. Look at Tubby Smith's career at Kentucky, for instance.

Texas would be a very attractive job. The money will be there. Fan expectations are high but not rabid. Facilities are top notch. There are local recruiting options, and Texas is an attractive enough school in terms of academics, college life, city of Austin, etc., to attract national recruits.

The one major issue that Texas has to deal with if it wants to recruit primarily in-state is that Texas built up a reputation as a "lesbian program" under Jody. The reality is that homophobia is alive and well everywhere, but especially in small-town Texas. There is the perception that if you send your daughter to Austin, "she'll come back gay." Hiring a man would probably take care of that issue in large part. However, the question is whether you want to reinforce homophobia by responding to it directly like that.