Steve Patterson Sounds Like Texas' Dave Brandon
By Ty Duffy
Texas boosters like a talk. It appears a significant portion of them aren’t too happy with AD Steve Patterson. Chip Brown went all-in, with a lengthy, detailed accounting of the people who are upset with him and why. Here are a few examples of the nickel-and-diming, at a department that brought in $161 million in revenue.
* Tried to charge Class of 1964 reunion $25 per person to step on the football field. Explained it by noting expenses for tour guide and turning the lights on.
* More than half of season-ticket holders saw increase of 25 to 50 percent. Parking for Longhorn Foundation holders went from “included” to $100-$195.
* Denied Charlie Strong’s request to raise quality control staff salaries from $24,000 to $50,000. The next lowest in the Big 12 is Kansas: $45,000.
* Texas coaches now have to pay $10 for their own meal if they visit the athletic dining hall more than 30 times per year.
* Cut $250,000 from the marching band budget. Charged members a $132 fee for practice and travel gear.
Patterson’s actions sound a lot like recently deposed Dave Brandon at Michigan, albeit with better coaching hires and no skywriters over College Station. Surely, Texas alums and donors will come around when they realize the branding benefits from those home games relocated to Mexico and Dubai.
[Photo via USAT]