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Thursday, October 23, 1997

UT seeks to quash coach firing rumors

AUSTIN (AP) -- University of Texas athletics officials are trying to quash rumors that John Mackovic, coach of the 3-3 Longhorns football team, is on his way out.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Wednesday that UT officials say there is nothing to rumors about the coach getting the ax, a million-dollar buyout of his contract or a list of possible replacements that has been circulating among alums.

Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds told his staff this week there is no substance to the speculation, which the newspaper said started Sept. 13 after a 66-3 loss to UCLA, gaining momentum when Texas was defeated by Oklahoma State and Missouri. The Longhorns face Colorado (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) at home on Saturday.

"There is nothing going on," Dodds said. "My concern is for the players and what effect (the rumors) will have on them. I worry about (quarterback) James Brown, with all he's done for the University of Texas and the football team. I want him to go out the right way."

Dodds acknowledged that the Longhorns are struggling.

"Things are tough right now. We've got to figure out a way to fight through this," he said.

A column published this week in USA Today was headlined: "Mackovic feeling Texas heat. Longhorns fans grow restless."

That story, in part, said: "The wolves are out. Texas is 3-3, including a 66-3 loss to UCLA and Saturday's 37-29 slip at Missouri. A Big 12 divisional title is all but out of reach. Critics are braying: Mackovic must go."

According to the American-Statesman's story, a popular theory has a group of alums pooling their money to buy out the two remaining years of Mackovic's contract.

Mackovic, coach since December 1991, earns $600,000 annually. The money is fully guaranteed if he is fired or reassigned. A buyout would cost $1.2 million and could be looked upon as frivolous spending by members of the UT faculty and Texas Legislature, already critical of the millions being spent to refurbish Royal-Memorial Stadium.

Mackovic's contract has a 1-year rollover, which kicks in if he still is coach in 1999.

Pat Oxford, a member of the UT Board of Regents, said: "To my knowledge, there is no discussion about the football program (and its coach) at the University of Texas-Austin. I frankly don't think any discussion would be appropriate until the end of the season. Coach Mackovic is doing the best he can. Let's get behind him."

Still, angry fans are calling, faxing and E-mailing their opinions to the board of regents.

"I am very aware of what's occurring," said regent Lowell Lebermann of Austin.

"Yes, I am aware of alumni frustration. I'm getting my share of letters, E-mails and calls ... I know a lot of people are unhappy. I wish those same people would E-mail me when we win.

"People get so emotionally involved with intercollegiate athletics," Lebermann said. "I can understand because I scream and yell and indistinguish my dignity at the games. But there's a UT way, and the other way. We're not going to rush to judgment. We'll do it the UT way, the dignified way."