TLDR:
Ohio State spent $37 million more than they made last year. Attributed partially to the basketball coach buyout and only 6 home games.

https://www.on3.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-athletics-operated-at-37-million-deficit-last-year/

Our athletic department seems fiscally conservative by this measure. It's my understanding that we didn't go into debt to pay Jimbo.

Will be interesting to see if Ohio state is able to take in a huge profit next year coming of a natty. If they don't, and SEC programs operate with more fiscal discipline, it could be difficult for the Big 10 to sustain the success they had this year. Wonder if this is an outlier or if a bunch of programs ran deficits this year. Should be interesting to watch as other school financials start to make their way into public view.

They're pretty psychotic up in Columbus already much less after seeing their hated arch rival win a natty.

I believe most athletic departments operate in the red.

Way to go Ross B

We've never had any outside events at Kyle...forever.....until this year after the Jimbo buyout.....

Why would we do that if we didn't need the money?

trip98 said:

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We've never had any outside events at Kyle...forever.....until this year after the Jimbo buyout.....

Why would we do that if we didn't need the money?

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Sounds like you already know the answer.

We spent huge $$ in 22 for literally no return. Big money got burned.

TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

Hill08 said:

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gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

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I wear my Aggie ring because I love the school. I couldn't give two sheats about the mercenaries that play sports for us…

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This. I love Aggie football, but my Aggie ring and senior boots are way more important to me than some kids playing a game.

That's a bit exaggerated...well a lot exaggerated....we may have hit $20M (word is we were well below that), but Saban used his 'bully pulpit' to exaggerate the topic to his benefit.

Bigger issue is all those kids wanted 2x raises and why many left.

gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

---

Ohio State gets the luxury of being the sole major flagship university in a state with a sizable population. Cincy has shown some success at times recently, but I don't think Ohio State has lost to an in-state school in an absurd amount of time so they will 100% get first dibs on every single athlete in a state with good HSFB athletes. If you look up some of the bigger Ohio State HSFB programs it's impressive what the athletes can do and the venues they play in. The state has a large history in the sport of football with the HOF being in Canton. They've used that in-state dominance to produce wins and prestige to the point of being able to lure athletes from anywhere they want. TAMU on the other hand has to compete with multiple in-state schools. Baylor, tech, tu, TCU and SMU. These schools have deep desires to compete for titles every year and pour resources into doing so for in-state talent. That's not to mention we have 2 prestigious "out-of-state" schools (LSU and OU) that basically recruit Texas like they're a Texas school due to proximity and large number of alumni living here. OSU spawned into the perfect location and all the ingredients were organically right in front of them. To their credit they took the ingredients and got to cooking without wasting anytime. IMO

agnerd said:

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TLDR:
Ohio State spent $37 million more than they made last year. Attributed partially to the basketball coach buyout and only 6 home games.

https://www.on3.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-athletics-operated-at-37-million-deficit-last-year/

Our athletic department seems fiscally conservative by this measure. It's my understanding that we didn't go into debt to pay Jimbo.

Will be interesting to see if Ohio state is able to take in a huge profit next year coming of a natty. If they don't, and SEC programs operate with more fiscal discipline, it could be difficult for the Big 10 to sustain the success they had this year. Wonder if this is an outlier or if a bunch of programs ran deficits this year. Should be interesting to watch as other school financials start to make their way into public view.

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We are in debt to Jimbo…he is a lienholder.

greg.w.h said:

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agnerd said:

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TLDR:
Ohio State spent $37 million more than they made last year. Attributed partially to the basketball coach buyout and only 6 home games.

https://www.on3.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-athletics-operated-at-37-million-deficit-last-year/

Our athletic department seems fiscally conservative by this measure. It's my understanding that we didn't go into debt to pay Jimbo.

Will be interesting to see if Ohio state is able to take in a huge profit next year coming of a natty. If they don't, and SEC programs operate with more fiscal discipline, it could be difficult for the Big 10 to sustain the success they had this year. Wonder if this is an outlier or if a bunch of programs ran deficits this year. Should be interesting to watch as other school financials start to make their way into public view.

---

We are in debt to Jimbo…he is a lienholder.

---

I would have assumed he was an unsecured creditor unless he reduced the debt to judgment and recorded an abstract.

What did A&M give him a lien on to secure the contract extension?

Faustus said:

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greg.w.h said:

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agnerd said:

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TLDR:
Ohio State spent $37 million more than they made last year. Attributed partially to the basketball coach buyout and only 6 home games.

https://www.on3.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-athletics-operated-at-37-million-deficit-last-year/

Our athletic department seems fiscally conservative by this measure. It's my understanding that we didn't go into debt to pay Jimbo.

Will be interesting to see if Ohio state is able to take in a huge profit next year coming of a natty. If they don't, and SEC programs operate with more fiscal discipline, it could be difficult for the Big 10 to sustain the success they had this year. Wonder if this is an outlier or if a bunch of programs ran deficits this year. Should be interesting to watch as other school financials start to make their way into public view.

---

We are in debt to Jimbo…he is a lienholder.

---

I would have assumed he was an unsecured creditor unless he reduced the debt to judgment and recorded an abstract.

What did A&M give him a lien on to secure the contract extension?

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The contract is with the school. They can't file for bankruptcy. Therefore they have to resolve with money or equivalent value.

I guess the real question is: Would you want to see Athletics outspend its revenue if it meant achieving more athletics success? Would you be ok if tuition went up to subsidize the athletic department? Or if funding for student organizations was slashed to increase spending on sports?

2nd question: Will other departments follow the Ohio State plan when they can? Will they slash funding for a decade, save up all their money, and then buy an incredible roster for a 1- or 2-year run? And would you rather, as a fan, average 8-4 with an occasional playoff appearance, or win a natty once a decade and go 5-7 the other 9 years? If t.u is winning a natty once every 10 years, and we're winning on once every 20 years, does that change your opinion?

gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

---

I agree with this somewhat. Love my Aggie ring though. My friend's nephew just got an offer from Ohio st. He may be a 5* WR at the end of next year. A&M has not offered yet. WTF are we doing?

JR Ewingford said:

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gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

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I agree with this somewhat. Love my Aggie ring though. My friend's nephew just got an offer from Ohio st. He may be a 5* WR at the end of next year. A&M has not offered yet. WTF are we doing?

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Connections. Ohio State has them all over the country, especially in Texas, Florida, and California. Heck - effin Chip Kelly left his HC position at UCLA to get to Ohio State to be their OC.

Oh! And if Ryan Day gets canned anytime soon, guess who they'll turn to next? Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame's HC who just happens to be an Ohio State grad.

Haven't even mentioned the most influential voice in CFB for the past 30yrs or so - Kirk Herbstreit, another Ohio State grad.

Fools

standfast said:

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gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

---

Ohio State gets the luxury of being the sole major flagship university in a state with a sizable population. Cincy has shown some success at times recently, but I don't think Ohio State has lost to an in-state school in an absurd amount of time so they will 100% get first dibs on every single athlete in a state with good HSFB athletes. If you look up some of the bigger Ohio State HSFB programs it's impressive what the athletes can do and the venues they play in. The state has a large history in the sport of football with the HOF being in Canton. They've used that in-state dominance to produce wins and prestige to the point of being able to lure athletes from anywhere they want. TAMU on the other hand has to compete with multiple in-state schools. Baylor, tech, tu, TCU and SMU. These schools have deep desires to compete for titles every year and pour resources into doing so for in-state talent. That's not to mention we have 2 prestigious "out-of-state" schools (LSU and OU) that basically recruit Texas like they're a Texas school due to proximity and large number of alumni living here. OSU spawned into the perfect location and all the ingredients were organically right in front of them. To their credit they took the ingredients and got to cooking without wasting anytime. IMO

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OSU has operated far ahead of us for a long time. They are the standard we should be emulating moreso than tu, imo.

However, I recently read through their history and from 1890 to 1950 they were nothing special or outstanding. Even Paul Brown only coached there for three years which included the lead up to WWII and the first two years. It wasn't until Hayes came in 1951 that they began to really become and sustain what they have been for 75 years now.

So while we were going through our best national success with Moran, Bible and finally Norton, OSU was still trying to find their way. We've struggled to get out of second gear for any sustained success starting around 1950. We have only finished ranked in the top 25 five times in the last 25 years. That is pretty sad especially considering all the resources we committed over those years.

TXAG 05 said:

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Hill08 said:

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gA_CMAB_FA said:

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TAMU football simply can't be compared to Ohio State. They are on a totally different level - a true, true Blue Blood that KNOWS football. Just look at their history with coaches. Ohio State eats, sleeps, and dreams football. Ohio State doesn't get lucky - they have long established and utilize a vast football coaching network, resources, contacts (high school, camps, NIKE), and media influence across the country (yes, even in the states of Texas, Florida, and California) to get the right coaches, assistants, and players at any costs (especially now with NIL) and simply do not tolerate mediocrity. It is a total dedication to winning football that only a few programs can compete with.

Look at this list. It's stunning:
Coach Paul Brown - Legendary HOF coach
Coach Woody Hayes - Legendary HOF coach; 5x voted NC
Coach Earle Bruce - 2x Big 10 Champ; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach John Cooper - 1x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 1 NC (fired for losing to Michigan)
Coach Jim Tressel - 6x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 3 NCs; won 1 NC (forced resignation for NCAA $ violations)
Coach Urban Meyer - Legendary HOF coach; won 1 NC (retired for health reasons)
Coach Ryan Day - 3x Big 10 Champ; multiple NYD Bowls; played for 2 NCs; won 1 NC (so far)

The TAMU "football" folks worry too much about things like wearing Aggie rings, status in the 12th Man Foundation, old traditions (getting A&M), and the worst fault of all - what they hate most or what is going on with Texas.

---

I wear my Aggie ring because I love the school. I couldn't give two sheats about the mercenaries that play sports for us…

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This. I love Aggie football, but my Aggie ring and senior boots are way more important to me than some kids playing a game.

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I bet that tOSU has something that regular students do or have or whatever that is comparable to them.

They also have national championships out the wazoo and are still dancing from the latest one.

I know this will come as a shock to many - but this is not a binary choice. It is possible to have both. I'll let you sit down for a while after that sinks in.

agnerd said:

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I guess the real question is: Would you want to see Athletics outspend its revenue if it meant achieving more athletics success? Would you be ok if tuition went up to subsidize the athletic department? Or if funding for student organizations was slashed to increase spending on sports?

2nd question: Will other departments follow the Ohio State plan when they can? Will they slash funding for a decade, save up all their money, and then buy an incredible roster for a 1- or 2-year run? And would you rather, as a fan, average 8-4 with an occasional playoff appearance, or win a natty once a decade and go 5-7 the other 9 years? If t.u is winning a natty once every 10 years, and we're winning on once every 20 years, does that change your opinion?

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This is the proverbial squirrel in the road fallacy here.

We either stay at the mediocre level with 8-4 seasons and every now and again we have a better than average season, but still dont' win anything of substance or we have an extreme on one side or the other.

It's a stupid mentality. I wish it would go away. It is this mentality that has kept us at the 8-4 mostly irrelevant level for the last 84 years.