Texas will pay former football coach Mack Brown a total of $2.75 million over four years as part of the settlement to force an early retirement for Brown. Brown also will take on a paid role as a special assistant to the athletics department. That is one fine way to retire.
According to the Associated Press, the university will set up a schedule of annual installments to pay Brown his total $2.75 million, a fee equal to the amount Brown would have been paid if fired by the school before the end of 2014. Brown and the university made everything appear to be a mutual decision, but whether you believe that or not is up to you. Regardless, Brown will get paid his $2.75 million in addition to what he will be paid for his special advisor role. That total is reported to be worth $500,000 a year in a role that will likely lead to numerous fundraising efforts for the school and athletics department.
Texas made the coaching change official between the end of the regular season and before the Alamo Bowl. The Longhorns later hired Charlie Strong away from Louisville.