In Indianapolis, Zach Osterman reported Indiana Univ. is “engaging prominent search firm TurnkeyZRG” as part of its “due diligence in selecting its next head football coach” following the decision to part ways with Tom Allen. Indiana’s financial obligation to Turnkey was "not immediately available," but prior searches “typically included five-figure fees.” Wisconsin paid TurnkeyZRG “$50,000 following the search” that ended with the hiring of football coach Luke Fickell. IU parted ways with Allen after the end of his seventh season in charge, negotiating a $15.5M buyout on Sunday (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/27).
HONORING THE BUYOUT: In Tennessee, Cecil Joyce reported Middle Tennessee State has "hired search firm Parker and Associates" in the team’s search for a new football coach. MTSU AD Chris Massaro said that the department “would honor” coach Rick Stockstill’s buyout, but "whether it would be paid in a lump sum has not been decided." Joyce noted the buyout is “expected to be near” $5M. Massaro said that the money the department has gotten from Conference USA realignment (exit fees, entrance fees) was "put away in 'a rainy day fund' for situations such as these” (Murfreesboro DAILY NEWS JOURNAL, 11/27).
A MULTI-DAY AFFAIR: In Jackson, Stefan Krajisnik noted the video boards across Mississippi State’s campus “illuminated the sky” last night and displayed on them was a “graphic introducing football coach Jeff Lebby.” The video boards were “just part of a two-day event” in Starkville, “unlike most introductions for coaches.” It started Sunday night when fans “awaited Lebby’s arrival at George M. Bryan Airport.” MSU “took it a step further” yesterday when Lebby was introduced to fans. The school “often has been viewed as a stepping stone for coaches,” but with “confetti and fireworks just to introduce a coach, MSU did its part to send a message to college football” (Mississippi CLARION-LEDGER, 11/27).
