So, we not only matched Clemson's $, but exceeded it. We did not and will not have "Winnebagos on Wednesday," nor will just about everyone else. There are maybe only 20 or so places that do, and while there is some overlap, those are not the only places to win championships. They are, however, the places most likely to have delusional and out-of-control boosters, unrealistic expectations, and to fire a coach who goes 9-3.Here’s the situation: I’ve just offered our talented football coach,
Tommy Bowden, a higher salary than he’s been offered by Clemson
University, which has a Goliath of a program compared to
Tulane’s David. True, we’re coming off an undefeated season,
but that’s an extremely rare event at Tulane—the last time was
sixty-nine years ago—and I want to keep him. With this offer on
the table, I feel I have a shot at it.
Tommy is clearly taken aback. He says, “It’s not the money. You
can’t give me what I want.”
“What do you want?”
“Winnebagos on Wednesday.”
“Say again?”
Tommy explains: “I want a school where the program is so
great, people start bringing their Winnebagos on Wednesday—for
the Saturday game.”
I still think the review was a monumental mistake and setback, but not keeping Bowden falls squarely on Bowden.