College Football 5th Quarter: National Championship aftermath

5. Matt Rhule’s seven-year itch

Matt Rhule left the Temple Owls for the Baylor Bears and signed a seven-year contract. What’s a seven-year deal worth in the Big 12? Apparently an interview with the Indianapolis Colts only thirteen months after signing the contract. Rhule arrived in Waco, Texas amidst a huge scandal at Baylor.

The Bears athletic department is known for controversy, having a murder in the mens basketball program and now a massive sexual assault cover up that not only cost Art Briles his job but also the school president Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr). Rhule, a 41-year-old head football coach, led Temple to back-to-back ten win seasons in order to choose between the Oregon Ducks and Baylor Bears.

More: 5 Takeaways from Baylor’s 2017 season

Rhule knew what he was getting in to by going to Baylor. The program and school were in shambles after Briles’ firing and it was going to be a complete rebuild for Baylor. Jarrett Stidham transferred to Auburn and led the Tigers to the Peach Bowl. Stidham will return to Auburn as a pre-season top five choice for 2018. The Bears however finished their 2017 season 1-10 and ranked in the 100’s by Bill C’s S&P+.

Baylor is low in numbers but their recruiting is solid as Rhule’s staff put together the 40th ranked class in 2017 and 24th ranked in 2018. Texas football has enough talent to go around and mix in southern California, Las Vegas and Arizona and you’ve got the ability to recruit in an elite roster.

I’m not privy to his buyout clauses, and I’m sure it’s pretty small when it comes to leaving Baylor for the NFL, but why even take on a seven-year deal if you’ll plan to leave after just over one? I think contracts should be held to five-year maximums around the NFL but especially college football.