Former Texas head coach Mack Brown turned 63 over the summer, but SMU seems to believe he can be an effective coach well into his late 60s and even 70s. At least, that’s what their reported offer to the coaching legend indicates.
According to Bill Nichols of The Dallas Morning News, Brown is SMU’s top target to replace June Jones. Nichols reports that SMU officials and Brown have had “preliminary” discussions about a contract that could be worth around $4 million annually over eight years.
Based on USA Today’s list of college football coach salaries from 2013 (Brown having been No. 2 on the list), $4 million per year would make Brown one of the highest-paid coaches in college football and place him above the likes of Steve Spurrier, Mark Richt and Jimbo Fisher.
The appeal for SMU is fairly obvious. The Mustangs are 0-6 and one of the worst teams in the country. Brown has years of experience recruiting in the state of Texas, and he was one of the best recruiting coaches in the nation during his 16 years with the Longhorns. Brown would be SMU’s best chance to start bringing in some talent.
For Brown, the appeal would mostly be financial. SMU would also give him an opportunity to rescue a horrendous program, like the school did by hiring Larry Brown as their men’s head basketball coach.
Brown currently has a pretty sweet gig as a college football analyst at ESPN, so there’s no guarantee he even wants to coach again. But if he does, SMU may be the highest bidder for his services.
