| 05 December 2009
University of Tennessee Wide Receivers coach Frank Wilson has decided to return home to Louisiana. Wilson has told UT head coach Lane Kiffin that he has taken an offer from the LSU Tigers to fill the void left by Larry Porter's move to Memphis.
Reportedly, Wilson will double his salary from his current $150,000 contract with UT.
This begs the obvious question: with growing fan discontent with head coach Les Miles, is this a smart move?
While Frank is returning home and is apparently doubling his salary, how good will the money be two years from now if Miles is fired? Examining Les Miles' contract, the buyout clause is not set as high as many have reported. Granted this contract has been amended; however, the buyout clause was not largely changed.
According to my reading of the buyout clause, correct me if I am wrong, LSU would owe Miles 1.825 million dollars per contract year between now and the contract's term (2012). Conparing this buyout to the gargantuan $18 million buyout of Charlie Weis, this contract pales in comparison. In fact, Les Miles buyout would be less than that of former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer.
Without an enormous buyout to worry about, if Les Miles has another poor season next year, it is not inconceivable to see Miles terminated.
Frank Wilson can coach, that is a known factor. Wilson should be credited for the resurrection of the Tennessee Volunteers wide receiving corp this season.
What will Wilson do if Miles is shown the door after next season (or even the following)?
One thing is for sure, Wilson definitely has determination because it would take a strong man to accept a ticket on a sinking ship. Either Miles rights the ship and bails himself out or this boat will sink faster than the Titanic.
