🏈 Horns under construction this spring

[cjaytch]

http://espn.go.com/colleges/texas/f...s-longhorns-football-new-offense-coaches-2013

Wow. This program seems to have no direction at all and is grasping at every fad they can to be relevant again.

This part really stuck out to me:
"Ah, but a new offseason has meant a new flurry of changes for Texas. Patrick Suddes, last seen at Alabama, is in as director of player personnel, a first for Texas. Larry Porter, last seen at Arizona State, is in as running back coach. Major Applewhite, last seen as the running backs coach, is in as play-caller. And an up-tempo no-huddle attack, last seen utilized by Oklahoma State and Oregon, is in as the new offense."

Texas JUST NOW has a director of player personnel?

They are letting Major call plays? for real?

Then comes the last gasp, installing the no-huddle "up-tempo" offense. The "quick fix" for all your offensive woes. Just a couple of years ago, after watching Bama backs plow through the Texas "defense", Mack had pledged to recommit Texas to a more physical run game. I guess all the work required for that was too much and they are looking for an easy way out. However, going this route will guarantee that the Texas defense remains "soft" for years to come. It seems like the entire Big12 has embraced this offensive philosophy which is why the Big12 hasnt had a great defense since about 2000 and they keep getting curb stomped when they face teams that can out-physical them while they post 77-65 scores when playing in conference. Both Big12 teams thinking their offense is "great" when the reality is neither team can tackle.

The no-huddle, to me, is a way for teams lacking depth to somewhat negate that vs the other teams defensive rotation. Texas, with its 10 year, top 10, recruiting classes should not have to resort to that. If there is any program in the country that could pull off what Bama has done in the last 5 years, it should be Texas. The problem at Texas is Mack. I hear stories from the Texas people that the players have an "entitlement" mentality. That attitude starts at the top.

 

[psychojoe]

The 'horns I have spoken to want a complete housecleaning in the athletic department.

 

[planomateo]

Been watching their new QB Swoopes for a few years now (basketball and football) - I'm anxious to see how he progresses in Austin. He can move.

Big fan of Tyrone, knew his old HS coach.

 

[psychojoe]

I sent this article to a 'horn that I work with and got this response.

"Brown is not as solid as recent ESPN and SI articles project as those who are backing him are on thin and melting ice themselves. DeLoss Dodds is projected to be out sometime this summer instigated by the mess going on in the athletic department sex scandals. Powers is hanging on by his fingernails against the governor and the BOR…wouldn’t be surprised to see him toss DeLoss under the bus to save his hide (if he even can). With that, most think this is Brown’s last year. As far as Applewhite calling plays, he’ll do better at Texas due to the type offense he’s installing. Saban wasn’t about to run the hurry up at Bama which suits Applewhite’s play calling. What’s stupid is that we’re switching again just as our O-line has finally been stocked with big beef for run blocking. Our biggest concern, however, is at defense where Manny is still at the helm after the worse statistical defense in Texas history. If our guys don’t learn their positions, Manny doesn’t quit calling crazy stunts and blitzes every play, and they don’t tackle, then it’s not going to matter what Applewhite does or how excited Brown may be."<o></o>
<o> </o>

 

[planomateo]

Interesting situation for sure, both Brown and Dodds have been really good for UT. They keep having "down" years, but still leading in revenue & profit.

 

[cjaytch]

Interesting indeed. I still think that shifting their offensive focus again, back to the spread, is only going to exacerbate their defensive woes.

I mean look at Stoops. He is a defensive guy. He ran some great D's at Florida. OK hasnt had a great defense in years and I blame that offense they run. They couldn't stop ND's offense this year and we see what happened to ND when they met a real D.

In alot of ways, this looks alot like Tubberville at AU. He had it made while Bama was on probation and swapping coaches. He played D and ran the football. Then when things got tough "lets run the spread". It just stinks of desperation and an unwillingness to address the real issues.

Joe, if Texas hired a "Saban" type coach, does your UT friend think the environment down there is still right for someone like that to come in and set things right? As for DeLoss/Brown, is it possible they have become too big of friends for Deloss to do the right thing? I think i read where the dreaded "vote of confidence" had been given to Mack from the AD.

Im not sure we discussed this on here before, but Texas has sure put themselves in a tight spot regarding the Major/Track-coach sex scandals. It is likely the track coach will win her discrimination case even though Major did it with a GA and the track coach with an athlete she was coaching. If they consulted their legal dept in each of these cases, I dont know how their lawyers let them handle these situations the way they did.

 

[psychojoe]

cjtech, I think the rank and file Texas fans, and some of the big donors, would love a complete house cleaning and start over. Mack has had some very good years, but many of them remember the glory days of Daryl Royal, where running the ball and playing defense had Texas at or near the top year in and year out.My buddy thinks the Texas version of the good ole boy network has kept Mack in place too long and allowed major indiscretions to be swept under the rug. We experienced a dose of that after Bryant died.

 

[planomateo]

I don't know what Texas's policy is on coach/student relationships - I have to wonder if there is a delineation between a subordinate vs a student/athlete.

The fact that Bev had a relationship with a track athlete she coached vs Major having a relationship with a team manager he was essentially. The story goes, Major confessed shortly after it happened (who knows the reason why) whereas Bev didn't disclose the relationship.

What does the policy say...

 

[cjaytch]

I agree with them Joe. If it were Bama, Brown's performance would not be good enough. Especially his performance against rival OK. He's done well against TaMu though. Would we support a coach who had a winning record vs AU while regularly getting drubbed by the Viles?

Plano, im not sure what their policy says. I think there is a difference between the two cases but my opinion doesnt matter. "What can a good lawyer get a jury to believe?" is all that matters. From that point of view, Texas messed up here. Bev claims that Major is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the football staff and sexual indiscretion and that the administration is aware. If she can back that up in any way, she may be able to get a jury to believe that the "good ole' boy" network down there discriminated against her.

 

[252BAMA]

Texas is one of 5 teams returning 19 starters. No team in 1A returns more. Those 5 are at the top. That and the changes mean they are trying to teach old dogs new tricks. Doesn't make sense.

 

[planomateo]

It matters if they have a policy.

Read this, pretty good write-up on the whole situation - take it with a grain of salt.

http://www.burntorangenation.com/20...athletic-department-cleve-bryant-deloss-dodds

 

[cjaytch]

Good article. I see what you are saying. Major did not violate University policy like Bev did. I agree with you. However, Im looking at this from the point of view of Bev's lawyer and the potential double-digit IQ people that end up on the jury. Throw in the current political correctness and she has a chance. The lawyer can spin it as "one set of rules for the white, male, straight, football star and another set of rules for the black, female, lesbian, track coach." From my point of view, she should have been fired. She knowingly broke the rules. Harsher punishment for Major may have alleviated this. Sad to say but UT might have been better off throwing Major under the bus to save themselves a lawsuit.

I did not know about mr "freak nasty". Wow. That sets a bad precedent that Bev's lawyer perhaps can exploit. His conduct was clearly well known and nothing was done until a lawsuit happened. Major and "freak nasty" are definately different from the Bev case and dont necessarily show UT misconduct in my eyes. However, a jury with the right people on it may see it differently. Especially if the FOIA uncovers other employees with a similar incident who got different treatment.

All I can say is "thank God its Texas and not Bama" :icon_cheers:

 

[planomateo]

If they start digging, you can bet they will find something, especially if they start looking at professors. The question is, did the university know about it and "cover it up".

Oh yeah, Cleve Bryant was a peice of work.

Back on topic of them under construction, explain to me how Jeff Madden can honestly coach S/C for the football program, he was recently promoted to Assist AD of S/C...whatever that means. As far as why they are soft, see picture below

 

[Swamptick]

The 'horns I have spoken to want a complete housecleaning in the athletic department.

Same here.

 

[Swamptick]

I would also like to add that despite her amoral lifestyle and overplaying of the racecard, she has a case. However, this is not because of racial or sexual discrimination - though I'm sure our pathetic court system will see it as such. This has to do with money and stability.

She broke the rules and she got what she deserved. The University applied to rule to her because ultimately, she is a nobody and women's track and field just doesn't matter. Football though, is of course big business for UT. As such, they protected themselves and put themselves above the rules.

This is also wrong and UT should have to pay. Still, this has little to do with race or muff grinding. It has to do with money and power. The mentality UT seems to be displaying is the same one that produced Sandusky.

 

[planomateo]

I enjoy stirring the Texas football "pot".

And this is what, the 4th year they've been discovering their QB.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Quarterback-uncertainty-remains-at-Texas.html

Let me give you a run down....

2010 - Gilbert starter (looked promising in Rose Bowl post McCoy injury)
2011 - Gilbert named starter after camp, 2nd game Gilbert is backup w/ McCoy/Ash named combo starters (they burned 3 QB's...still paying the price) - Ash should have red-shirted if you ask me.
2012 - Ash and McCoy working to be starter thru camps, eventually Ash got the job.
2013 - Ash looking suspect in camp, McCoy not sure, incoming true freshman Swoopes getting looked at.

 

[cjaytch]

I enjoy stirring the Texas football "pot".

And this is what, the 4th year they've been discovering their QB.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Quarterback-uncertainty-remains-at-Texas.html

Let me give you a run down....

2010 - Gilbert starter (looked promising in Rose Bowl post McCoy injury)
2011 - Gilbert named starter after camp, 2nd game Gilbert is backup w/ McCoy/Ash named combo starters (they burned 3 QB's...still paying the price) - Ash should have red-shirted if you ask me.
2012 - Ash and McCoy working to be starter thru camps, eventually Ash got the job.
2013 - Ash looking suspect in camp, McCoy not sure, incoming true freshman Swoopes getting looked at.

I enjoy stirring it too. Not because i dislike Texas. They are really the only orange team i can stand.

Looks like espn is pulling out all the stops to convince the Longhorn faithful that things will be different this year.
http://espn.go.com/college-football...s-ready-speed-things-offense-college-football

See, the "no huddle" allowed them to come from behind and defeat that defensive powerhouse Oregon State. Seriously?

Mack seems to really think that running this offense is going to make his team "tougher".

Who knows, this may help the Longhorns when they play the other flag football teams in the big12. Maybe they will go undefeated, win their conference and get a rematch with the Tide. Then we can see if Bama can get 3 backs over 100 yards each.:icon_cheers:

There's just so much kool-aid drinking going on here. Mack is soft and his teams are soft. I just dont believe he ever really committed to power football any more than i believe Tubberville actually committed to the spread.