A loss to OU, should it occur, and the writing is seemingly on the wall. That would make Herman 1-5 versus the hated rival, with losses occurring on the headsets and in the week of prep as much as on the field.
Donor sources we talk to indicate Del Conte will have the financial support he needs even if the hire isn’t for Scenario #1(Urban Meyer).
We’ll concede Scenario #2 (Herman returning) is more likely than it was after the OU loss, but that isn’t to say it’s likely. That should be expected with the team being on a four-game winning streak. However, the decision-makers do understand the context of the winning streak and are receiving calls after ugly wins the same as after losses.
Everything on the Meyer front is quiet from direct donor and AD sources. We don’t think that’s a bad thing because Del Conte prefers to work in silence to the extent he can. We do know there has been misinformation given from the AD to donors, and high-level donors to mid-level donors. If you have enough sources you’re able to game out what is real and what isn’t.
Misinformation we’ve heard includes: whether a search for a search firm has been conducted (it has, though we don’t know the result), and whether donors are ready to help out financially, i.e., buyouts (they are).
We did hear that one former head coach with ties to UT does believe Urban to Texas is a possibility. ... To balance that, one of my best agent sources is skeptical Texas can pull off such a move given the climate and cost.
As far as Scenario #3 (a search beyond Meyer), we haven’t heard any names in a while. James Franklin was thought to have a chance very early on, but he’d be a terrible hire and is proving that now.
If a change is to be made, they’re all in on Scenario #1.
