Dicus to Duncanville: Was it the money

In a high-profile coaching move this week, Jeff Dicus left a very high-profile, high-paying position at Class 4A Division II state champion Lake Travis, which also has a great nucleus returning.

Why?

Dicus and Duncanville are saying the opportunity and challenge of rebuilding Duncanville as a Class 5A state power was the draw.

Lake Travis officials let their actions show some of the tension between LT administrators and Dicus. Exactly what the tensions were, nobody is saying. But Dr. Phil could see the outward antagonism here:

Before Dicus had a chance to tell his players 3 p.m. Monday that he'd accepted the Duncanville post, Lake Travis administrators were sending out press releases at 2 p.m. saying Dicus was gone.

In the world of public relations, that's called a pre-emptive strike. But a strike nonetheless.

Lake Travis administrators make references and imply Duncanville went looking for a mercenary and hired Dicus with big bucks and that Lake Travis isn't going to pay a football coach that much money.

Lake Travis paid Dicus $92,000 per year and Duncanville is paying $104,000. Both sides add about 10 to 15K a year in travel perks, letting coaches hold rent free camps and other offline items that aren't included when the salary amount gets requested.

So did Dicus leave talent-laden Lake Travis for $12K a year. Doubtful.

Lake Travis or Joe Pool Lake? Hmmm.

Does Dicus just love the challenge of rebuilding Duncanville into a state power with 2006 state champ Cedar Hill and talent rich DeSoto next door? Maybe.

Lake Travis doesn't seem to be giving much thought to promoting any assistants either _ another sign of unhappiness.

We've been shown the money. It's not that much different. What we have is a divorce with irreconcilable differences and neither side wants to say the specifics.

Recruiting update

Bryan receiver Rod Harris from Blinn JC and Bryan committed to Kansas. He's the son of former Texas A&M and Carter star Rod Harris.... Liberty-Eylau running back LaMichael James went from being a darling of UT's 2008 list to being dropped by the Longhorns. He had a record-setting year. He's a great talent that committed to Oregon...Lamar Consol's Class 4A player of the year Jacquizz Rodgers is going to Oregon State...

Bennett to Marshall?

Former SMU coach Phil Bennett has been offered the defensive coordinator postion by Marshall coach Mark Snyder.

A native Texan who established himself as one of the nation's top college coordinators, Bennett is the brother of Irving coach Jim Bennett and Jerry Bennett, just named at Linden Kildare.

Dane Johnson to Andrews?

Hebron defensive coordinator Dane Johnson is a strong candidate to become head coach at Andrews. Johnson, a former Southlake Carroll and Texas Tech star, is considered one of the state's top rising coordinators.

Garland coaching moves

Garland has been one of the state's most successful programs but missed the playoffs this season.

Assistants Jayson Lavender and Nathan Richburg have left. Lavender became OC at Mesquite. Richburg to pursue other opportunities. HC Jeff Jordan has interviewed inside candidates and talking to outside candidates before making a call early February.

Leaving Plano East with Perry

New Bastrop coach Gerald Perry will take two assistants from Plano East. Gary Haliburton will coach offenisve line and be the assistant head coach. Brian Miller will be the offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator.

Bastrop will go with the West Virginia style offense that Perry was using at East the last two years. Bastrop was running out of the Wing T last year.

Perry also is an exceptional track coach and could get some faster athletes out to rejuvenate Bastrop.

Baytown's Botkin takes over Arkansas Houston recruiting

Former Baytown Lee standout Kirk Botkin was hired at Arkansas as defensive ends/special teams coach and his recruiting area will be Houston.

Botkin was an Arkansas standout tight end/deep snapper and was coaching at Louisiana-Monroe when new Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino added him to staff.

Another Miami recruit back to Texas

Miami freshman defensive tackle Chris Perry of Keller Fossil Ridge has transferred to Texas Tech. Perry was one of the top 2007 prospects.

Former Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman of Brownwood transferred to Baylor.