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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Boone Discusses Nutt's Hire with Media
11/27/2007 | Football
Ole Miss Director of Athletics Pete Boone met with the media late Tuesday afternoon to discuss his trip to Arkansas earlier in the day and the hiring of Houston Nutt as the Rebels' next head football coach.
Opening Comments
I thought it went great. We met about 1:00 p.m. He picked me up in a nice red pickup, went to his house, and I visited with he and Diana and one of their daughters. I think we spent about two hours and talked a little football.
Q: How critical was it to get this done quickly?
It was certainly not critical that we need to do this, but it was important and mainly because of the caliber of coach that we had on the line. And normally we would not have done this. There are some things I regret about this, and specifically not being able to go through a process and talk to some quality coaches whether they be assistants or not. We really did not do the things we normally do with regards to black coaches, so those are the things that I regret. But when it is all said and done, I think it is so important to have a person like Houston Nutt with proven success. This time we have to get it right, and when this came about we just had to move fast. He is going to fit in in
I do not know if this is the appropriate metaphor, but when you smell blood you need to go find out if you can get the job done. I think if anything we were thorough in our discussion with all the things that we needed to cover. But I did feel like let’s get this thing done. I think the timeliness and speediness will benefit the Ole Miss fans.
Q: When was the first time you were in contact with Coach Nutt? Was it before Sunday or during the season at all?
Our first talk was about four or five years ago at Destin at a restaurant. As far as this is concerned, I had heard rumors that he might resign at the end of the year, but I did not think about at all until Sunday afternoon that he was going to resign. And so I called Frank (Broyles) to get permission to talk to him. Then I called and talked to him briefly Sunday, but he was reluctant to talk because he was still working at
Q: What are the financial terms of the contract?
We are going to pay him $1.7 million base pay the first year $1.8, $1.9, and $2 million in four years and have an option to extend it three times.
The base went up. We got a salary survey, and the average salary total compensation in the SEC is about $2 million a year. That may be heavy on some ends. That is the average in the SEC, and the SEC is usually the highest. But the price has gone up. So in looking, they are high, obviously, but they are reasonable numbers with the market as it is. We still have incentives, but they are not quite to the extent that we have with Coach Kennedy.
Q: Were there any talks about the staff?
I talked to him briefly about that today, and of course his coaches are going to be coaching a bowl game and they are committed to that. So he is not quite sure about how that will play out. But he will be here tomorrow obviously, and he is going to talk to some coaches that want to talk to him. And then he will be back Sunday to start the recruiting process. There is some work in that with so many recruits and one man, so he will have to work through that.
Q: Was there any specific mention of John Thompson and Hugh Freeze?
I told him that they, along with Art Kehoe and Tony Hughes, were very interested in trying to stay, and he recognized that and he certainly wants to talk to them, But I think a lot of that will be predicated on how many of his assistants are willing to come, or if they will get head jobs somewhere.
Q What are the details of the contract's option to extend?
The three options, if he chooses to extend, will be $100,000 added each year.
Q: Is it his option to extend or yours?
His.
Q: Have you been contacted by the Black Coaches Association?
I tried to call Floyd Keith this morning to let him know why we did what we did, because it is totally different than what we did when we hired Ed (Orgeron) and Andy (Kennedy). They have a scale on how well you are trying to look at all coaches and diversity, and we did real well with those two according to the scale. But it was a thought and it was something I told the Chancellor this is not the best way to go through it. But we both agreed that this was the way we needed to do this selection.
Q: Did the number of job openings elsewhere make you move faster?
I would say the reason for the speed in the selection was there are not very many Houston Nutts out there that have his success in the SEC and recruiting in
Q: How much did you look into his past?
We did a lot of homework, and we talked. Our chancellor talked to their chancellor. Lee Tyner has talked with their general council. I talked with Frank, and we feel that we have a pretty good handle on all the issues over a period of time. And we feel very, very good about Houston Nutt and his character. And quite frankly, I think he is very well thought of by the fan base there. Certainly there are going to be distracters when you have been somewhere 10 years, whether you are an AD, a chancellor or head coach. You are going to do things over that period of time where gradually some momentum will build up of people that do not agree with what you are doing. You’ll have that, so it is not an uncommon thing.
Q: Did you interview any other candidates?
No.
Q: Will it just be him here until after the bowl, or is he going to bring some of his staff?
He is not sure where his current staff stands. They are obligated to coach the bowl team, and there is just this flux between now and then of what he can do. And then of course, we have our coaches here that have been working diligently, holding the recruits together, so he is just going to have to make a decision. That will be his decision on how he wants to go forward with it, but I do not know his answer.
Q: Is it totally his decision?
Absolutely. I have told him the strengths of the ones that wanted to communicate with him, but I also told him that it is his call.
Q Were Hugh Freeze, Tony Hughes, John Thompson and Art Kehoe the only coaches that wanted to communicate with him?
Hugh Freeze, Art Kehoe, John Thompson and Tony Hughes have expressed the most desire to stay here, but certainly Ryan Nielsen, Chris Rippon and Dan Werner would like to talk to him too. They all want to talk, and they will all get their chance. But each one has different situations, and
Q: What will happen if Coach
I do believe this in regard to John (Thompson). He is a quality person and has served in administration as an athletics director before. But they’re going to be led by what is their passion, and there is going to be a fire burning in some of their hearts. So I want them to be happy.
Q: Did Archie Manning have any influence?
I had several conversations with him and asked him about several people he thought might fit. But Archie is very reluctant. He will answer any question that I have, but he is very reluctant to try to push anybody.
Q: What attracted you most about Coach Nutt?
I think it is the whole package with Houston Nutt that draws you in. Again, this all happened overnight with me. It is just one of those things like what is wrong with this picture’. It can’t be this good, but it is.
Q: How long did the talks go last night?
We got through about 10:00 p.m.
Q: Was it all done by phone?
It was with his agent, and after we worked out the financial terms, I called
Q: How well did you know
Q: What are his travel plans?
He will be here tomorrow and come back Sunday.
Q: How big of a role did the consulting firm play?
When I first talked with Chuck, he brought up
Q: Did you have to pay the consulting firm?
We are going to pay something, but not as much as what they would normally charge.