The questions about Mack Brown's future as Texas coach intensified after the Longhorns' 44-23 loss to Ole Miss in Austin Saturday night, and Willie Lyles wants to help if the university thinks about a coaching change.
Lyles was at the center of controversy two summers ago, when he said that Oregon had paid him $25,000 "for what they saw as my access and influence with recruits,” a payment that spurred an NCAA investigation. Lyles ran a Houston based scouting service for recruits and had the Ducks, as well as other schools as clients.
In June, Oregon was hit with NCAA penalties that included probation and the loss of three scholarships among other minor dings for its relationship with Lyles.
Saturday night, Lyles said he's open to getting back in the business, this time as a coaching search coordinator.
Another week another UT blowout. If your team, fans & alumni are ok with being losers it's cool. If you want to win again give me a call lol
— Willie Lyles (@WillieLyles) September 15, 2013
Let Major know my number hasn't changed.
— Willie Lyles (@WillieLyles) September 15, 2013
It's 25,000$ per school. The Longhorns can be my first client. — Willie Lyles (@WillieLyles) September 15, 2013
The Major who Lyles is referring to is Major Applewhite, the former Texas quarterback who is now the Longhorns' offensive coordinator.
Working with Oregon, Lyles was able to help secure the signing of LaMichael James, who is now the San Francisco 49ers, and Lache Seastrunk, who has since transferred to Baylor. For that effort in getting James and Seastrunk eligible through the NCAA and to Oregon, he was paid that $25,000. In Seastrunk's case, Lyles was able to help his grandmother sign his letter of intent to Oregon instead of his mother. His mother didn't want him to go.
And Lyles is a familiar face to those inside the Texas football program. In 2008 and 2009, the Longhorns paid $15,000 to a recruiting service that employed Lyles at the time.
Will Texas be taking Lyles up on his offer? No way. But that doesn't mean they may not be looking for a coach. The Longhorns already have a new defensive coordinator and if their 1-2 start mushrooms into something more, who knows what will happen. Outside of Applewhite calling Lyles for advice, of course.
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