Just for argument’s sake, let’s assume for a moment that Tom Jurich is displeased with the performance of his head football coach Steve Kragthorpe.

I have no idea whether TJ is pleased as punch or disgruntled with the state of U of L football. Since he’s made no public statements other than his Steve-has-my-full-support-yada-yada-yada to national TV announcers.

But, for entertainment purposes only, let’s assume that TJ hears his fan base and sees what fans are seeing on the field. Which is a program that is treading water in mediocrity, and looks as if it could be washed downstream entirely sooner rather than later to a death by drowning.

What would it cost to relieve Steve Kragthorpe of his duties? Hmmm, thought you’d never ask.

Here’s a link to his contract.

The coach is locked in until the end of June, 2012. For those not keeping track at home, that’s two more seasons after the current one. And, if terminated, SK gets all his moolah. For the entirety of the contract.

Which includes $550,000/ year base salary. $550,000/ year for radio, commericials, etc. Plus a bonus of $1,250,000 due at the end of the contract. Plus a $1,000,000 annuity due when he’s 65.

Which means if Steve Kragthorpe is canned, he hits the jackpot to the tune of $4,450,000. Bingo.

That’s the going rate for incompetence these days in the world of college pigskin.

Though I don’t know whether there is any credence to them at all, I have heard stories that indicate one of the reasons for Tom Jurich’s silence so far is that he can’t find any fatcats to underwrite the buyout. Which leaves one to ask, is Owsley Frazier tapped out or what?

The other possibility, and one that seems unfathomable to most Cardinal fans, is that Jurich may truly be ready to stand by his man. And the not so inconsequential issue of buyout hit may be persuading him to stay the course. The flip side is all those empty seats, past and future, should no change be in the offing.

– Seedy K