(Photo by Star-Telegram.com)
Many fingers have been pointed at Texas coach Charlie Strong for failing to acquire TCU’s Sonny Cumbie as the team’s new offensive coordinator this week.
After digging into this story for several days, there should be a few fingers pointed at the current administration for the failed effort to obtain Cumbie.
According to more than one source (including the TCU side), Cumbie received everything he wanted, and I will detail his requests later in this story.
However, Cumbie had two questions that went unanswered about Strong’s future at Texas, which led to his decision to walk away from the job offer:
1. Will Strong coach the team after next season?
2. How many wins will it take in 2016 to save his job?
Since nobody above Strong could give Cumbie a straight answer, the 34-year-old assistant coach decided not to take the offer after days of consideration. From what I was told, Cumbie was worried about his own future, and did not want to jeopardize his opportunity to become a head coach down the line by possibly getting fired after one season. This is why Strong was forced to pursue Tulsa’s Sterlin Gilbert, his number two candidate who is still working out contract details with administrators.
Here are some details about Cumbie’s interview process I obtained:
- Cumbie was contacted about the job through backdoor channels over a month ago. His agent is the son-in-law of Grant Teaff, who previously coached at Baylor and is currently the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. Cumbie’s agent was told by those above Strong he was the top candidate to become the team’s new offensive coordinator, and the TCU assistant coach was interested in the position.
- As previously reported on Orangebloods, Strong and Jeff Traylor (tight ends coach/special teams coordinator) met with Cumbie in Fort Worth on Sunday. A day later, Cumbie and his wife were flown to Austin and they continued the interview process.
- While both coaches were talking on campus, I was told Strong’s wife, Vicki, spent the day showing Cumbie’s wife, Tamra, homes in Austin. Since the Cumbie’s have a toddler and Tamra is pregnant, they wanted to live close to campus. Tamra was shown homes in her target area during the visit.
- Cumbie was offered a three-year deal worth $1.3 million each season to take the job. The money was guaranteed. In addition, Cumbie met with the entire football support staff during his visit on Monday.
- During the interview, Cumbie expressed his desire to hire Kentucky running backs coach Chad Scott and Arizona State offensive line coach Chris Thomsen, which was approved. Strong wanted to retain Texas receivers coach Jay Norvell and Traylor, and Cumbie said he could work with both coaches.
- Since Cumbie would spend countless hours at work, he wanted his family to visit him at the football office throughout the week. Cumbie’s request was granted, plus he received permission to come into work after attending church on Sundays. Most assistant coaches arrive to work early on Sunday morning to break down film before meeting with the position group, but Cumbie could come in later.
When Cumbie walked out of the football office, the coach received everything he requested.
However, Cumbie never was given assurances that Strong, the person he would work for, would be here past 2016 from UT administrators. That uncertainty ultimately caused Cumbie to stay in Fort Worth and wait for another offer with more job stability.
Now it is very clear Strong must hire an offensive coordinator who can produce results for the sake of his own job security after next season.
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