The amount Texas A&M University will pay its new football coach is unprecedented in the state, but no state appropriations will be used for Jimbo Fisher’s salary. A&M can afford it because its football program is raking in money.
Matthew Watkins
Matthew Watkins began serving as editor in chief of the Tribune in September 2024. He is a Texas native, born in Houston and raised in Austin. He attended Texas A&M University and has spent his entire professional career in Texas journalism, including stints at The Eagle in Bryan-College Station and The Dallas Morning News. Matthew joined The Texas Tribune in 2015 has held various roles, including higher education reporter, breaking news editor and politics editor. He has helped guide the Tribune's award-winning journalism that has included coverage of six legislative sessions, multiple election cycles, natural disasters and political scandals. He lives in Austin with his wife, Susan, and their two children.
Posted in
Higher Education
A&M’s firing of football coach Kevin Sumlin means another big buyout for a Texas school
Fired football coach Kevin Sumlin is entitled to about $10 million from Texas A&M University, according to his contract.
Posted in
Higher Education
As international enrollment declines nationwide, UT-Dallas looks for ways to halt the slide
International student enrollment is declining at universities nationwide. At the University of Texas at Dallas, that’s a particular concern.
Posted in
Higher Education
College tuition in Texas is poised to climb slightly in 2018
Citing inflation and state funding worries, most public universities in Texas are raising tuition by a few percentage points for 2018.
Posted in
Higher Education
University of Houston regents vote to create a medical school
University of Houston System regents voted unanimously Thursday to create a medical school. Now, they’ll have to convince state leaders that it’s the right move.
Posted in
Higher Education
Fired in 2009, football coach Mike Leach still rages at Texas Tech and Texas law
Eight years after Texas Tech fired football coach Mike Leach, Leach is still fighting his old school for money he thinks he’s owed. But a law protecting state entities from lawsuits is hampering his efforts.
Posted in
Politics
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus says he will not seek re-election
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He did not rule out running for higher office.
Posted in
Higher Education
Lt. Gov. Patrick asks Senate panel to study free speech on Texas college campuses
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking Texas senators to study whether free speech rights are being infringed on college campuses.
Posted in
State Government
Democratic lawmaker faces $3 million legal malpractice judgment
Texas state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. owes a legal company nearly $3 million after a federal judge ruled against the Democratic lawyer from Palmview in a malpractice case.
Posted inState Government
Accrediting committee recommends no punishment for Baylor over sexual assault scandal
Baylor University’s accreditation appears to be safe after a special committee investigating the school found that it was in compliance on a number of key issues.
