re: What's going on behind the scenes at LSU?

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Here's my assessment of what is going on right now behind the scenes at LSU in regards to Saban (and will continue throughout the weekend) ...

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Since you seem to put yourself out there as a "man in the know"; riddle me this: How do the names Lawton, Duhon, Gill and to a smaller degree Pharis play into your equation. If you can answer that riddle, we will see what you do and don't know!

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Here's my assessment of what is going on right now behind the scenes at LSU in regards to Saban (and will continue throughout the weekend) ...

1. Saban would like to return to LSU, that much has been made clear to certain people at LSU (herein after referred to as Friends of Saban).

2. The Friends of Saban at LSU want Nick to replace Miles after Miles heads to Michigan on Monday. The numbers being discussed are approximately $3 million per year with a HUGE buyout, around $10 million ... basically a contract that would keep Saban here until he either retired or was fired. He would never be able to leave LSU for another job. Even the Friends of Saban know Saban's return will never happen without the big buyout in the contract.

3. However, there is also a smaller contingent of "LSU power players" that are adamently opposed to the return of Saban (herein after referred to as Friends of Bertman). One is a lame duck AD, who although will not be the ultimate decision-maker in the process of hiring the new coach, still has many friends in high places at LSU who tend to agree with his position on Saban and share in their dislike of Saban. Not to mention despite the lame duck status, he is still presently the head of athletics at LSU, regardless of his upcoming retirement, and will still have at least a voice in the process, albeit not the final voice per se.

Right now, it's basically a tug-of-war between the Friends of Saban and the Friends of Bertman. Whichever group gets Lombardi and O'Keefe on board and in agreement with their side will likely win the ultimate battle. The question right now has nothing to do with Saban's desire to return to LSU ... the desire is certainly there on his part. The question is which contingent garners the most support from the ultimate decision-makers in this process. When Lombardi ultimately offers a name to the BOS, they will confirm it undoubtedly. It all comes down to politics now, and one of the major players is a relatively new piece to the LSU puzzle (Lombardi).

As a subplot to all of this, the ultimate decision-maker, Lombardi, doesn't even have Saban as the #1 guy on his candidate list, although the guy he would prefer (Spurrier) likely has no intention of leaving S.C. for LSU. Lombardi is certainly trying to change his mind, though.

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You're "assessment"? Based on what? Pure conjecture/ Seriously, did you just make all this shite up?

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Since you seem to put yourself out there as a "man in the know"

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Hold up there! ... I never claimed to be "in the know." I merely provided my (very broad) assessment of what's going on at LSU given the very few things that I do know.

It sounds as if you're trying to imply that you are the one who knows something that all of us do not. If that is the case, there is no reason to tease us with it.

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Hold up there! ... I never claimed to be "in the know." I merely provided my assessment of what's going on at LSU given the very few things that I do know.

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Fair enough; because your "theory" is somewhat "off". Written nicely, but missing some pieces.

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However, care to elaborate on any of those pieces? lol

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Probably could to some degree, but not much better than any other "speculator" most likely. Fortunatley, or unfortunatley (HA), whichever the case may be, I have as they say "run in some of those circles" over the years, but have, by my own choice, not remained as involved as I once was---I leave that for my son's, it's their "turn in the barrel" (grin). No doubt about the varying contingencies you have done a good job of outlining, but unless things have recently changed, there are actually three, and specifically one that involves the "Board of Supervisors" that has its own thoughts on the matter. Trust me, I am no "Matt Drudge", but have been around the "LSU Athletic Family" for over 35 years. Some things never change though, that's for sure......(LOL)

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Fair enough; because your "theory" is somewhat "off". Written nicely, but missing some pieces.

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pjtiger, tell them that there is a big Birmingham piece to this puzzle that people often forget to associate with LSU.

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As in a particular sect of the medical community?

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Exactly. I worked with him in surgery all the way through college, he is a player in this game. Know him well.

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Exactly. I worked with him in surgery all the way through college, he is a player in this game. Know him well.

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Thought that is who you were talking about, and yes, he is. There is also someone else in the banking community there that I met some time back at Shoal Creek. I dind't know him, but some of the guys we were playing with (developers) did....does that ring a bell as well?

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Ok, I don't know a damn thing about that piece and how it fits into all this ... please share!

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"JP", I can only say so much, not because I am "the man" in the know, but just because of mutual relationships and not wanting to name or quote them without permission; I will say this: The "rift" that everyone wants to make so much over between Skip et al, versus Saban et al, is tremendously "overblown" IMHO. And know this, if everyone thought Mark Emmert was strong in the process, they "ain't seen nothing yet" when it comes to Dr. Lombardi. Trust me on that part of it!