A multimillion-dollar NFL contract couldn't entice George Perles away from Michigan State, which managed to keep its football coach by giving him the additional title of athletic director.
The Michigan State board of trustees voted 5-3 to give Perles the dual role, despite protests by some students, faculty members, alumni and President John DiBiaggio.DiBiaggio's resistance fed speculation he would resign if Perles' role were expanded. But after Tuesday's vote, DiBiaggio said, "I have never said to any press person that I'm considering resigning."
Earlier, DiBiaggio told trustees their vote shouldn't be thought of as a "personal affront, but as one that could in the long run hurt the university more than the loss of any coach, any recruit, or any game."
Perles will take over for retiring athletic director Doug Weaver on July 1 for a one-year trial with no extra salary. The board will then review Perles' performance as administrator of Michigan State's 25 sports teams to determine whether he can handle both jobs.
Trustee Dean Pridgeon questioned Perles' loyalty, noting that three times in the last seven years he has been courted by the pros.
Board president Larry Owen said the loyalty question was answered when Perles turned down an expected contract offer of perhaps $6 million from the N.Y. Jets.
Perles, 55, has a 46-33-3 record in seven seasons at Michigan State, including a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl victory. "I am very confident in my ability to do both jobs," Perles said in a statement issued after the board vote. He did not attend the meeting.
Perles, the defensive coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers teams that won four Super Bowls in the 1970s, accepted the coaching job with the Philadelphia Stars of the now-defunct USFL in 1983, but then decided instead to accept an offer from Michigan State. The university paid the Stars to free Perles from the pro contract.
After the 1987 Rose Bowl victory, Perles agreed to become coach of the Green Bay Packers. He backed out the day it was to be announced because Michigan State offered him a 10-year contract.