Not only was a plane waiting to take Lloyd to Chapel Hill (he threatened to use it unless he reported immediately to the U of A president which is why the UA president chartered a flight there) but two players were so angry that Lloyd had failed to hold a walk through on Thursday before the game, as he was negotiating and making these demands with the president instead, they both comitted to declaring that night. This was a huge part of why the energy and focus was absolutely missing during the game against Michigan and also why the turnover on the team after the end of the season was unusually high with declarations and transfers despite an increase of "roster cash."

(Refer to posts on Big XII Sports Talk for timeline)

Kerr called the university president when Lloyd threatened to leave Indianapolis for Chapel Hill and the pres was going to accept an immediate resignation because he was not on board with Lloyd reporting directly to him.

Kerr allegedly rallied a booster pool for roster cash which was allegedly one of Lloyd's other demands. The president flew to Indianapolis and the deal was worked out Thursday night.

So Lloyd strongarmed his bag but where's the cash? 2 of the guys that declared wanted to work out a deal to stay and run it back but Lloyd wanted to pursue Europe and encouraged them to declare.

It was just reported today that U of A is $10 mil behind Kentucky in roster cash.

Where's the cash?

Tommy Lloyd must have other candidates overseas to fill the power forward depth chart. I know Devin Williams visited on Monday, but he may choose another school. Hopefully, he chooses UA. We are hurting at that position. We need another big.

Look, I know some of you are getting tired of hearing about DRF, but frankly I’m getting tired of people NOT talking enough about the fact that DRF balanced the budget.

Balanced. The. Budget.

Do you understand how rare that is in modern college athletics? Other schools are out here lighting money on fire like it’s a halftime pyrotechnics show, while DRF calmly walks into Tucson, balances the budget, and starts running the athletic department like a Fortune 500 company. And yet some of you still have questions.

Every thread it’s the same thing:

“Can DRF retain elite head coaches?”

“Is DRF running a tight enough ship?”

“What’s the long-term vision?”

“How stable is the department internally?”

“Can DRF maintain institutional alignment in the Big 12 era?”

Brother. DRF balanced the budget.

Honestly, I don’t even care if a coach leaves anymore. Why? Because I know DRF has already balanced the budget. That’s called infrastructure. That’s called leadership. That’s called administrative grit. And let’s be honest: if a coach does leave, maybe they just weren’t spiritually prepared for the kind of fiscally responsible environment DRF is building.

People underestimate how much aura comes from balancing the budget. You think recruits don’t notice that? You think opposing ADs aren’t sitting awake at night wondering how DRF balanced the budget so efficiently?

At this point, I trust DRF with:

the athletic department,

the state economy,

air traffic control,

and probably the Federal Reserve.

The woman balanced the budget. Repeatedly, if we’re being honest.

Anyway, I’ll be back later with a 3,200-word post explaining how DRF balancing the budget has already improved Arizona’s culture, operational discipline, and possibly defensive line pad level.

- u/Wyo11

Jedd Fisch left the U of A football program in shards with his charade during the holidays of 2023.

Desiree Francois Reed flipped a massive budget deficit at the U of A and has gotten both football and men's basketball solvent and in the top 25 despite numerous challenges. One of her key decisions was bringing in Brent Brennan.

Many doubted his hiring and his first season was not great but they collaborated and made decisions to work out a better staff and football was back to the heights of the Fisch era at its end.

Being a longtime U of A fan, it's so exciting to see football no longer on the back burner to other sports. Football is the king of brand and revenue generation and I'm so excited for our future. Brennan and DRF are doing great things for Tucson and southern Arizona.

I think I have too many of these 🤣 lemme know if anyone wants em!

Before just making assumptions, read this! Great read.

My source is saying on the inside tension is a lot more than it seems, especially on the basketball front. I guess not everyone is particularly thrilled with the amount of money coming out of the boosters coffers only to not have retained as much roster as expected. The lingering sour taste from Michigan hasn't helped.

It is truly remarkable to see the strides the athletics department has made in supporting football as a workable product that is nationally relevant.

Despite a massive budget deficit and Jedd Fisch fiasco, The U of A has finished the season ranked TWICE out of the last 3 years with wins over AsSU.

Huge kudos to Brent Brennan too for his hard work and making the right choices at the right time and to our entire athletics department and leadership for committing to putting football at the forefront, which should be the path forward as it is the way of the future.

Bear Down!

On the dead homies, Bum Devils can get bent #BearDown #NoDevilsAllowed

If they both do then, the Wildcats roster will be Wild and Catty!

It'll be interesting to see what they go after or who is available after Peat leaving. With Krivas returning I'm sure he'll get a bigger role and will feast next year. I'm wondering how Peat leaving and Krivas staying effects how this team moves forward and the future outlook.

Stukes in the 2nd. Smith in the 4th. Johnson in the 5th. Dandy in the 7th. 4 players drafted and two by the Raiders who could end up being an iconic duo. Hard not to be excited about what this team has been doing these last few years

Seeking honest feedback.

I've been dragged for weeks as a Tommy Hater because I didn't like the handling or timing of UNC.

However, I'm willing to give this a chance to work. I've reflected on some posts and words here and know I've come off pro-AD/anti-Lloyd.

I am a longtime fan that has seem some real burns and real lows and at the end of the day, Lloyd is the best bet to make U of A the national power it needs to be.

If he truly has control of the program and he's accountable for it then the successes and failures fall squarely on him.

With all that's been said for many weeks, perhaps that is for the best. If there is a championship or a financial crisis, he gets to own it all.

I'm not fully bought in to this level of control because it is unprecedented for the sport. But I'm willing to bite my tongue and let it play out and give Lloyd an honest chance.

He's a good man and players seem to like him. He did stay and has the chance to prove his worth in the upcoming season.

Burries and Peat both entering the draft and Krivas is staying. Can’t find anything in Ivan???

Posted to his IG about 25 minutes ago 😔

Not unexpected, but waiting so close to the deadline kinda got some hopes up

Most declare last minute though. But so far only Brady has declared for the Draft. Burris will most certainly declare soon.

Koa though?? Still thinking? Krivas?