Buyout indeed an obstacle for Friedgen firing?

On Sunday, the Washington Post reported that the $4 million it would cost to buy out the contract of Ralph Friedgen would not be an obstacle if Maryland decided it wanted to go in another direction at head coach.

Today, the Baltimore Sun says not so fast.

According to the Sun, the current economic climate has some members of the university system publicly questioning whether a buyout is feasible at this point in time.

“As a normal practice we don’t get involved in the day-to-day,” said Board of Regents member Tom McMillen, a former Terrapins basketball star and NBA player. “But as a fiduciary, to take on a $4 million liability plus hiring a new coach? Given the economic times we’re in, there would have to be an awfully compelling case.

“We’d have to have a very serious discussion about it - either the [University of Maryland College Park] Foundation or the regents.”

And McMillen isn’t the only well-known alum still associated with the university questioning the wisdom of firing a coach with such a hefty buyout.

Len Elmore, a member of the foundation’s board of trustees, said: “I would like to see all of the options [regarding Friedgen] laid out.” He said a buyout by the university would be “extraordinarily sensitive. You’re already in an economic crunch as it is.” Elmore is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, a watchdog group that has expressed concern about rising college athletic expenditures - including salaries of coaches.

Elmore, an attorney who, like McMillen, starred in basketball at Maryland and played in the NBA, said Maryland President C.D. Mote Jr. “would certainly have to be involved because he has to balance institutional mission and try to maintain a winning football tradition.” Mote declined to return telephone calls from The Baltimore Sun.

Needless to say, this whole Friedgen situation is a long way from being played out, but it looks as if Friedgen’s contract may indeed be the only thing keeping him from the unemployment line in very short order.