Tulsa has found their new head coach, and they didn't even leave the conference. The Golden Hurricane lured Todd Graham back to Tulsa, after a one year stint with the Rice Owls. Graham was the defensive coordinator at Tulsa from 2003-2005.
I find this pretty surprising. Perhaps Graham and his family love Tulsa and he is emotionally tied to the town. Fair enough, I suppose. But just over a year ago, Graham spoke of a "renaissance" at Rice. After a 7-6 season and a bowl bid in 2006 (1-11 in 2005), it seemed Graham and Rice just may be on their way. Now this?
Rice alums, fans, and most importantly current players, must be sick right now. It's not enough for Graham to leave, but to leave for Tulsa is just a slap in the face.
I respect any man's decision to better himself and his family. But is there no loyalty anymore? Graham just signed an extension with Rice through 2012 on Wednesday. Approximately 48 hours later, he is being announced as Tulsa's replacement for Steve Kragthorpe. How disrespectful is that? I suppose Graham did not necessarily lie to Rice, but did signing that extension not mean ANYTHING to Graham?!?!
I wonder if he too chose a conference call as his means to say goodbye?
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4 comments:
Funny you used the terms "better for family" and "he didn't lie to Rice". How come no one is considering this move Saban-esque, especially he had signed an extension two days before?
He stepped into territory Petrino didn't get in.
Loupe,
My take is because the general opinion is that Rice (like Vandy, Duke, Stanford, Northwestern, etc) are not desirable jobs, so any chance you have to move "up" -- even where its to a school in the same conference -- is ok in the public's eye.
That being said, Graham had a good time to go - he lost his best coach (Appelwhite), had an unexpetedly-good season, and schools were calling. What would happen if the Owls went back to the "Same Old Rice" next season?
"How come no one is considering this move Saban-esque, especially he had signed an extension two days before?"
Folks are in Houston, best beleive. However nationally, I don't think enough people care about Rice to make a fuss about it.
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