The official colors of Texas football are burnt orange and white. Some in and around Houston, though, might suggest a tinge of yellow has been or should be added to that color scheme.
The Cougars lost their head football coach to the Longhorns late last month, with Tom Herman leaving the Group of Five program for the Power Five job in Austin as Charlie Strong‘s replacement. As part of Herman’s move to the Longhorns, he owes his former employer a buyout of $2.5 million, which his new employer, as is standard these days, will pay.
UH athletic director Hunter Yurachek confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that he had offered to offset the $2.5 million buyout in exchange for a home-and-home series in football as well as one in basketball. The two schools haven’t played in football since 2002, and it doesn’t appear that will change for the foreseeable future as Yurachek’s counterpart, Mike Perrin, declined the offset offer.
“At this point there does not appear to be an interest from Texas,” Yurachek told the Chronicle. “It’s not an option that is on the table any longer.”
Herman is contractually obligated to make the buyout payment in full no later than Jan. 27. UT is looking to pay UH directly instead of sending the money through its new coach.
Announced earlier this month, Herman’s deal with UT is for five years and worth nearly $30 million before bonuses.