Mack Brown's raise

Dear Sports World,
Stop ragging on Mack Brown's salary increase to $5 million. A) He's quadrupled the amount of money football generates in his time here from 21 million in 1997 to 87 million this past year. B) The state pays absolutely NONE of his salary. C) He has created a college football powerhouse in Austin, and the number 1 revenue generating program in the HISTORY of college football. Raises should be about money generated. It's called the free market.

As for those who say there are more qualified coaches out there, I'd like to remind you that no one has a better winning percentage as a head coach since Mack took over at Texas. He's appeared in 2 national championships in the last 5 years. 2 Conference championships in the last five years. 9 straight 10 win seasons. In games decided by 3 points or less, Mack is 21-4. In games decided by a TD or less, he's 28-17. His team is undefeated in BCS bowls, and have won 5 straight bowl games. He's contributed over 30 players to the NFL in his tenure. He has two Heisman runner-ups, both of whom had legitimate arguments to be the winners. 5th year seniors at OU have no idea what's it like to beat Texas on a regular basis, and even after losing 5 in a row to the Sooners, Mack has improved his record against OU to 6-6. He dominates the other schools in Texas, having lost to to Tech twice and TAMU 3 times. I'd be willing to bet there are , or about 114 schools across the country who would love to have a coach like that (there are a few who do - Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, USC, OU)

I've heard the argument (mostly from Aggies) that Mack has no personality, that he's smarmy and comes off as insincere and a politician. Legit criticisms? Or sounds of jealously from those wanting what others have. This is one of the greatest coaches in the country. If he stays on this path and finishes out his contract in 2016, you're looking at arguably one of the best of all time at Texas, right there with DKR. To say he has no personality or tries to cater to the media too much is nitpicking for a guy whose major job it is to operate a power football school. What woudl you prefer - someone like Bill Belichek?

Mack says the right things, acts the right way, guides his players the right way, recruits the kids that fit his system, and has finally decided to hire the best assistant coaches to handle the day to day running of his team. He's the CEO of a multi-million dollar machine. You think the public face of major corporations is any better or worse than Mack? You think he shouldn't campaign for his kids whenever possible? What is he supposed to do? Say that OU should jump Texas in the polls last year on ABC? Argue that California should go to the Rose Bowl instead of his team in 2004? He is the coach at TEXAS, and is beholden to his players and his university - anyone who thinks different lives with their head in the sand.

What he's done for Texas is immeasurable, and the 5 million given to him annually is a simple business decision made by the school regents to keep a great coach, university ambassador, and school representative around the 40 acres as long as he wants to be there. Here's hoping it's 2016 and beyond.