Yurachek: Houston is committed to retaining Tom Herman

With the Big 12 announcing it wouldn’t be expanding, Houston is willing to do whatever it takes to retain head coach Tom Herman.

Houston Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek spoke to Patrick Creighton and Nate Griffin of SB Nation 1560 Houston’s “Nate & Creight” Tuesday afternoon for a reaction of the Big 12’s decision not to expand, and what’s next for the program.

Creighton mentioned that Tom Herman has a kicker in his contract that would pay him $5M if the University of Houston gained entry into a Power 5 conference, as part of new deal he signed after last year when Houston increased his pay.

With Houston and several schools turned down by the Big 12 on Monday, Creighton asked Yurachek what the university was prepared to do to make sure Herman stayed in Houston.

Creighton: “Last year I gave your university a ton of credit because your football coach showed that he’s one of the best in the business. And you took the question out of the game. You stepped up, you redid his deal, and you made sure he stayed at the University of Houston. It’s paid tremendous dividends for you this year. Is that commitment going to remain if you then need to step up again to keep him this year? Is the university ready, willing, and or able to do whatever it needs to do to keep Tom Herman at the University of Houston?”

Yurachek: “We’ve got to be reasonable, I made that commitment, but yes, are willing and I am working on the parameters of making a new extended commitment to retain Tom Herman as our head football coach. You talk to Coach Herman and he expresses a great affinity and love for the University of Houston; obviously for our football program, and the young men that are a part of that football program that have committed to be part of that in the future. I think him and his family both love having their residence in the City of Houston, and what this city offers. And so, I think it’s going to take a phenomenal–and I mean phenomenal opportunity–for him to leave the University of Houston. One, because it’s a phenomenal opportunity, and two, because we’re committed to making it very hard for him to leave here, at this point in time. Last year was just the start of that, and we’re obviously seeing great value in what Coach Herman has brought, not only to our football program, but to this University and this city. And we’re going to do everything we can to retain him. Somebody’s going to have to come again, and take him, and offer him something really really phenomenal, because we’re going to make it really hard for him to say ‘no’ to the University of Houston.”

Here’s the full audio:

Yurachek noted that part of the reason Houston was able to offer Herman a competitive contract and extension was because of what the Cougars have accomplished on the football field. He mentioned record season ticket sales being a huge draw, with close to 23,000 season tickets sold. Most of Houston’s games have been sold out, or close this year. And if Houston can get into a New Years’ Six Bowl, Yurachek acknowledges there will be a “significant financial kick.”

Tom Herman is one of the top names in the coaching carousel this season, but according to Houston’s AD, it’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep him.

All things considered, a contract extension could be a win-win situation for both Herman, and the University of Houston. However, with the inevitable coach poaching that happens at the end of every season, and with LSU beginning its head coaching search early, this news could make the shortlists for some schools much less appealing if they’re on the fringe about firing their head coaches, too.