With Big 12 expansion off the table, most observers see Tom Herman not being long for the Houston job. Still, the university is doing, or will do, its best to hang on to a man who will be one of the hottest commodities on the next spinning of the coaching carousel.
UH athletic director Hunter Yurachek told the Houston Chronicle that he has had “very general discussions” with those above him about offering Herman another revamped contract. In November of last year, UH Board of Regents approved a new contract for Herman that would bump his salary from $1.45 million this season to $3 million, easily the most of any head coach in the AAC.
Last month, Yurachek revealed that Herman’s contract would contain a provision that stipulates the coach would receive a $5 million bonus if the Cougars moved from the AAC to one of the Power Five conferences. The two sides had signed a memo of understanding regarding the payment prior to the Big 12’s decision to stay at 10 members.
As for the parameters of any extension added to the current deal, and while he will attempt to make it difficult for Herman to leave, Yurachek stated that the school “has to be reasonable” given its current revenue streams from the AAC.
“We have what I consider to be one of the hottest coaching commodities in all of college football,” Yurachek said. “It’s my job to continue to do due diligence and work with (president Renu) Khator and (board of regents) chairman Tilman Fertitta and put together parameters for what potentially could be a new contract offer for coach Herman as we look toward the future and retaining him as head coach.”
It’s widely expected that Baylor and LSU -- and Texas, too, if Charlie Strong is dismissed as some surmise -- will heavily pursue Herman as the regular season winds down.