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Here are some tidbits of WSU gossip that we've heard recently. Let me throw out a few caveats. We are not reporters and not reporting this as fact. These are just fun little chunks of content that we are comfortable enough with throwing out there for the sake of conversation. As a collective, this blog is reasonably connected. A few of us cover the Cougs and sit on a couple of WSU Boards of Directors and that gives us a little more access from time to time.
So, we are lucky enough to hear some things that are totally unsubstantiated but more than just random theory. To that end, we thought we'd throw some of them up here every once in a while so all of you dedicated Coug fans might be able to see a bit more on what's working behind the scenes.
Enjoy!
Topic #1: Jim Sterk on the hot seat?
We are beginning to hear the early murmurs of a potential change at AD. It's not a crescendo yet but the fact that Sterk's contract expires next month and there has been very little chatter about an extension seems to lend a little more credence to what we are hearing. It's speculative but don't be shocked if a change is made in the AD's office. Could Bill Moos be the next in line at WSU?
Topic #2: A new hotel in Pullman?
The rumor is that there is a significant push to open a new hotel in Pullman that is going to cater to the top end of the Pullman visitor market. Projected opening would be sometime in the 2011 or 2012. Just in time for the new Martin Stadium remodel to open! Lots of conversation around possibly building a small convention center along with a Marriott near the golf course. How overdue is this? The need for a hotel in Pullman that is a little higher quality than the Holiday Inn Express would be HUGE for football weekends. I wonder where they would get their business the rest of the year?
Topic #3: Chad Eaton in as assistant coach?
This is hallway conversation right now and nothing has been announced or acknowledged but word is that Chad Eaton might be taking a full-time coaching job with WSU soon. He's been a grad assistant while working on his degree and he has every intention of breaking into full-time coaching. Lots of scenarios out there but one that makes sense is Eaton possibly coaching the defensive tackles and Malik Roberson moving to focus on defensive ends. The defensive line has been woeful. Maybe a new voice and a LOT more fire will motivate them?
Topic #4: Martin Stadium remodel on track or running behind?
The topic of the month is whether or not we will hit our 80% goal on seat deposits by the Sterk-mandated date of December 18th. Lots of comfort around the suites and loge seating. Sounds like loge is oversold and suites are either completely sold out or just one remains.
The scary number is around club seat deposits. Early word is that 80% is going to be tough by 12/18. A more realistic number looks to be somewhere around 50-60%. If you're thinking about putting a deposit down DO IT NOW. We need all the help we can get. The push will continue through March but it will be interesting to see where Sterk says we are at the end of the week and if we can get rolling for 2011 or if we are delayed to 2012. Signs point to 2012 right now.....
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The ONLY documentation I can find on Sterk is that he signed a five-year extension in middle January of 2004. That would put his contract at having expired already. I haven't seen anything else on him since then. It does raise a lot of questions about his contract status overall right now.
On Moos, it appears that his non-compete was for ten years and was for 1.85 million. The key is language around being paid over ten years. Which indicates that it's not lump sum but he gets paid a certain amount at key time markers. It also indicates that the contract precludes him from an AD job at a BCS school. I wonder if would disqualify him from a different role in an Athletic Department.
Regardless, if WSU wants Moos as AD they probably need to compensate him for money he forfeits with UO. He signed that non-compete early in 2007 so that is roughly 1.3 million he is still owed. If you signed Moos to a five year contract worth that amount it would work out for everyone. He'd get paid what he is owed by UO and work for us. It all comes down to whether he wants to be an AD again or just sit back and earn cash watching games.
Make no mistake, the contracts and dollars SEEM to line up for a potential change. It will be interesting to see what happens following whatever announcement they make on December 18th around the Martin Stadium remodel......
No offense, but if Sterk's contract were up in 1 month, we would have heard something by now.
Appreciate the feedback on the contract!
We'll also remind again that these are topics that are somewhere way above rumor and below fact. If we have a 75% hit rate we'll be happy.
So, take all four of those pieces in that context.
We're also aware of the hotel being out there for a while but recent movement indicates positive momentum on that project which is why it was brought up.