With regard to DD's comments, I agree. Timing stinks and this is being handled clumsily. He's trying to have it both ways (staying on for playoff run, knowing he's taking the Charlotte job). Proximity to family is a partial reason, but he's still relatively close to them now and they could be moved nearer to him. I'm sure financial considerations and moving up to FBS are the primary reasons. I, like many others on here, question whether this is the right move for him, however. If he isn't able to succeed there, his career progression will have been stymied. JMU has lots of advantages relative to other FCS programs and that's why coaches can come in and do well right away. Houston has benefited from his use of experienced assistants and the excellent talent on hand, of course.

(11-29-2018 10:27 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 03:12 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  Some of you guys believe that a coach has no life and no family other than football. Harrisonburg is nice, real nice, and I love the valley as much as the next guy, but the city of Charlotte offers a young wealthy family infinitely more than does the valley and way, way more than Boone, Greenville, and Statesboro. His family doesn't live on the JMU campus and neither will they live on the UNCC campus. They will integrate into the Charlotte community and unlike JMU/Harrisonburg, UNCC is hardly a blip on the radar screen in the metro Charlotte area of over a million people. Though, the campus is very nice and attractive to visitors, this school is not a home to those who want to live in the basement of their mother's home like some of the schools we are a little more associated with. It's just far enough from uptown that those students really don't hang out there. Don't get me wrong, I know just as all of you, three years will be the limit for the Houston's to be in Charlotte, but he'll be showcasing his skills in front of a lot more FBS programs coaching in Charlotte than the once per season he gets to at JMU.

There aren't a lot of places that I think are appealing cities to move to, but Charlotte is one of them. Cool cool town, especially for a young couple/family.

(11-29-2018 10:18 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  if his parents have health issues, and i have ZERO clue, just speculating based on houston's comments.
why not move them to harrisonburg? sons and daughters do that all the time. And he certainly has the resources at his disposable financially to do that.

this is more than about family. That's just an easy answer to give to the press and masses.

As one who has tried to get family to move closer to him, sometimes it's not that easy. Some old people are just set in their ways even if there's no benefit to staying where they call "home".

When older folks find that their grandchildren are 6 hours away, that seems to be the tipping point for moving. At least that has been the case in my neighborhood with many grandparents moving to Harrisonburg to be closer to their JMU alum kids, who settled here and started raising a family.

(11-29-2018 09:25 AM)91Alum Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 08:38 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 08:32 AM)JMUforBreakfast Wrote:  Why is Houston still allowed to coach?

Bourne should go Bo Schembechler on Houston & send him to Charlotte. Just in case you youngsters don't know what I'm talking about just google Steve Fisher or Bill Frieder. Fisher won a NC that March Madness, maybe whoever Bourne picks would do the same versus having the season end in Hamilton or Fargo...

Problem is technically, he hasn’t taken Charlotte or any FBS job at this point. We would have to fire him, and leave his 500k buyout on the table.

I think he’s good as gone, but just biding time to see if something else like ECU or Appy open up soon, which they likely will.

Unless a miracle happens and he wins us another Natty, being in limbo is worst case for us, because we can’t move on with a new coach and lock up recruits either.

Suspend him with pay until he takes another job.

This. and i believe he HAS already taken another Job.
don't need Him recruiting UNCC or APP on our time and money.

With what he has accomplished, he deserves the chance to win out this season.

(11-29-2018 12:41 PM)McDowell Duke Wrote:  With what he has accomplished, he deserves the chance to win out this season.

Jmu needs to move on-we are being used at this point .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yes. JMU is being used. What he is doing is worse than Withers bolt for the exit.

I wonder what the players would want in the playoffs? Houston or not...

Houston will be at the game. Bourne would not have the balls to remove Houston if he were wearing a Charlotte 49ers jersey on the sideline, it is what we are dealing with...

(11-29-2018 12:56 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I wonder what the players would want in the playoffs? Houston or not...

Houston will be at the game. Bourne would not have the balls to remove Houston if he were wearing a Charlotte 49ers jersey on the sideline, it is what we are dealing with...

Good to see the old 'Hazed back. I wasn't comfortable w/ the new & softer version!

(11-28-2018 05:42 PM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  

(11-28-2018 05:37 PM)Anders Wrote:  "James Madison is a special place," Houston said at the time. "Amanda, our boys and I want to be here and consider this home. JMU approached me in in the second half of the regular season to discuss an extended contract. During negotiations, there was significant interest from multiple FBS programs. Throughout the process, JMU was proactive in wanting to make a long-term commitment while ensuring that our staff could remain intact. I've turned down opportunities at the FBS level, and I did it because I believe in James Madison University. I believe in the leadership of Jeff Bourne, Senior Vice President Charlie King and President Jonathan Alger. I believe in their vision for our university and our athletics programs. I also believe in our student-athletes, everyone in athletics who supports us and the passionate fan base that cheers for us. I am committed to ensuring that the JMU football program is one that is a reflection of our outstanding institution. I'm committed to staying here because JMU is different." - Mike Houston

Less than a year ago

Probably will say the same thing to Charlotte before moving on the next year

I think that people forget that Mike is from NC and I believe his wife's family is in Charleston, SC. Charlotte puts them in a pretty good location from that perspective.
They also have young children and this is an opportunity for them to be closer to family/grandparents. As the old saying goes, "Don't hate the player, hate the game". It is unfortunate that the way the whole football "process" works, particularly the recruiting aspect. Would be nice if the NCAA could put something in place that doesn't allow any schools to talk to any currently employed coaches until after ALL FBS and FCS seasons are complete.

Can Dukester now start the "Houston to ECU" thread?

Is he sneaky enough to have played the long game? Meet with ECU and make it seem like a done deal, when the news leaks, which you know it will in 2018, you own it and say you're interested. This forces your top schools AP and ECU to make some quick decisions. ECU fires their coach and does a phone interview with you today. Meet with ECU on Sunday and announce later that night that you really appreciate what UNCC had to say and you loved JMU but you are moving closer to home and taking ECU. Name an interim to get us through the rest of the playoffs.

If that ends up being truth it was a bold move but even if it backfired you still double your pay and get to UNCC or you stay at JMU and collect even more love from a fan base who has seen you turn down bigger jobs multiple times to stay in the 'burg. I'm not sure Houston is the type that would game the system this much but if he did that is impressive. I feel like the chances of him going to ECU are pretty good right now.

(11-29-2018 01:10 PM)JMU_Newbill Wrote:  Can Dukester now start the "Houston to ECU" thread?

(11-29-2018 01:16 PM)doubleduke2016 Wrote:  Is he sneaky enough to have played the long game? Meet with ECU and make it seem like a done deal, when the news leaks, which you know it will in 2018, you own it and say you're interested. This forces your top schools AP and ECU to make some quick decisions. ECU fires their coach and does a phone interview with you today. Meet with ECU on Sunday and announce later that night that you really appreciate what UNCC had to say and you loved JMU but you are moving closer to home and taking ECU. Name an interim to get us through the rest of the playoffs.

If that ends up being truth it was a bold move but even if it backfired you still double your pay and get to UNCC or you stay at JMU and collect even more love from a fan base who has seen you turn down bigger jobs multiple times to stay in the 'burg. I'm not sure Houston is the type that would game the system this much but if he did that is impressive. I feel like the chances of him going to ECU are pretty good right now.

If he gets offered ECU, he's not turning that down.

Steven Godfrey
@38Godfrey
Sources to @SBNation: The deal between Charlotte and JMU head coach Mike Houston isn’t done yet, as the ECU opening could draw Houston to the Pirates.

We should not be surprised with him moving on, look at his history. It is disappointing that he would go to UNCC, I see that as a side step, not a step up whatever the acronym next to the school in terms of division. If he is gaming the system for ECU, good luck to him, it's a better brand name, but Greenville is a rural ghetto. I am thankful for the work he has done for JMU, but if this is all true, it's time to move on. Gone are the days of the Jimmye Laycock days where people stay forever at one job This is not just prevalent in coaching, but in most career fields, crying about losing him won't change a thing. Next man up to lead us.

(11-29-2018 01:35 PM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 01:16 PM)doubleduke2016 Wrote:  Is he sneaky enough to have played the long game? Meet with ECU and make it seem like a done deal, when the news leaks, which you know it will in 2018, you own it and say you're interested. This forces your top schools AP and ECU to make some quick decisions. ECU fires their coach and does a phone interview with you today. Meet with ECU on Sunday and announce later that night that you really appreciate what UNCC had to say and you loved JMU but you are moving closer to home and taking ECU. Name an interim to get us through the rest of the playoffs.

If that ends up being truth it was a bold move but even if it backfired you still double your pay and get to UNCC or you stay at JMU and collect even more love from a fan base who has seen you turn down bigger jobs multiple times to stay in the 'burg. I'm not sure Houston is the type that would game the system this much but if he did that is impressive. I feel like the chances of him going to ECU are pretty good right now.

If he gets offered ECU, he's not turning that down.

I agree but if he did all of this to force ECU's hand I am both impressed and shocked. It's not too far fetched to see that this situation which may work our great for him was constructed by him. Get a decent offer and make it known to leverage a much better offer.

The BUTTHURT is real here:

I just have 2 questions:

What about that 10 year ext. do you believe now?
When is that AAC invite coming?

All of you that thought he just loved the JMU community and he is gonna be here till he dies, look like fools right about now.

Also those who keep saying CUSA sucks well guess what we don't play the likes of Rhode Island, Maine, Towson, Elon or Richmond. You know schools that will never have a chance to move up. So enjoy them on your conference schedule the next 20 years.

Anyone else notice that the people who comes here to defend how amazing FBS is are always Marshall fans? Just sayin’...

(11-29-2018 01:44 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  The BUTTHURT is real here:

I just have 2 questions:

What about that 10 year ext. do you believe now?
When is that AAC invite coming?

All of you that thought he just loved the JMU community and he is gonna be here till he dies, look like fools right about now.

Also those who keep saying CUSA sucks well guess what we don't play the likes of Rhode Island, Maine, Towson, Elon or Richmond. You know schools that will never have a chance to move up. So enjoy them on your conference schedule the next 20 years.

Another Marshall fan proving our relevance! Your comrades beat you to it a while ago, put nice to see you're all reading from the same script.

Pathetic! Enjoy being VT's prostitute this weekend. Just be careful, once you get that reputation all the schools in need of a bowl game will start calling you. And you all are better than that. But just barely...

(11-29-2018 01:37 PM)UofRfan Wrote:  Steven Godfrey
@38Godfrey
Sources to @SBNation: The deal between Charlotte and JMU head coach Mike Houston isn’t done yet, as the ECU opening could draw Houston to the Pirates.

If this is true and he ends up going to ECU, I cannot wait to see the meltdown.