Texas Southern University’s Board of Trustees met again on Thursday but did not come to a decision on its next college football coach. This is the third time in two weeks where that has happened.
The Tigers have completely bungled their search. Seven-time NFL Pro Bowler Andre Johnson, who played 14 years with the Texans, Colts and Titans and is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, is a large part of the reason why.
Some of the trustees want Johnson to replace Clarence McKinney, who did not have his contract renewed after going 12-35 since 2018. Others want to hire Fred McNair.
It has been a disaster at Texas Southern.
Here is how things have gone to date:
- November 14 —
- Players reportedly receive word that Coach McKinney would not return.
- Athletic director Dr. Kevin Granger denies the report.
- November 20 —
- Dr. Granger’s denial is proved false.
- It is confirmed that Coach McKinney’s contract won’t be renewed.
- November 28 —
- The Houston Chronicle writes an article suggesting that Johnson would be a good hire.
- December 7 —
- Texas Southern reportedly narrows its search down to two.
- Former Nebraska coach Mickey Joseph
- Former Colorado defensive backs coach Brett Maxie
- Texas Southern reportedly narrows its search down to two.
- December 13 —
- Texas Southern pivots, hard, to Alcorn State head coach Fred McNair.
- December 15 —
- McKinney’s contract officially expires.
- A special meeting is called to “Request Approval to Appoint and Negotiate Employment Contract for Head Football Coach.”
- Texas Southern is set to hire McNair.
- The Board of Regents fails to reach quorum.
- December 19 —
- Alcorn State announces that it cannot come to an agreement with McNair despite multiple lucrative attempts.
- Texas Southern calls another special meeting to approve the hire of McNair.
- At least two members of the Board of Trustees failed to attend the meeting or held out of the vote in favor of Johnson.
Texas Southern is in a standstill.
McNair essentially left his job as head football coach Alcorn State to become the head football coach at Texas Southern. The latter has not hired him. He is currently unemployed.
The Tigers went through the Early Signing Period on Dec. 20 without a head coach. Christmas came and went.
Texas Southern scheduled a third “emergency meeting” of the Board of Trustees for Thursday. They had full attendance.
However, the Board could not come to an agreement. The decision was deferred, again.
It is down to McNair or Johnson. Whomever gets the vote is expected to receive a four-year, $313,000 annual contract. But who?
McNair has a lot of experience in the field and basically expected to have the job by now. Johnson has never coached a single game on any level of the sport.
This entire process has been a mess. There is no end in sight!