Slap in the face.
Houston Chronicle, Jan. 10, 2007: Rice extends Todd Graham’s contract through 2012.
Houston Chronicle, Jan. 12, 2007: Rice coach Graham heads back to Tulsa.
Elsewhere, the Chronicle bloggers are ruthless: “While Rice fans will always remember the magical ride to their first bowl appearance in 45 years, I’ll remember the luscious coachspeak Graham gave in a state-that-he-never-meant a few days ago, after he accepted a contract extension” … “Those football players at Rice learned an important lesson this week. They learned that college football isn’t really about the kids. Never has been. Never will be. College football is about the schools raking in millions and the coaches jumping at the next opportunity.” … “And just like that, Todd Graham is gone. We’ve been told that he will sign an 8-year deal worth $1.1 million per with Tulsa. He left for the money, plain and simple. Everything he said about Rice, its supporters, its players and its future was bologna. We can’t help but wonder where he stashed his Dale Lloyd pin.”
Here’s a snapshot, for posterity, of the GrahamFootball.com promo site that Rice Athletics put together.
Update 1/19: Chronicle: Rice hires Texas State’s David Bailiff.