2013 College Football Season

[SCcoug]

Always nice to see BYU guys moving up in the coaching world (is Weber a step up from SUU)? They probably pay a bit more so I guess so. It'll be interesting to see who replaces them down there. Any former Cougs in the running?

[YOhio]

I don't think it will happen, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bronco took the now-vacant head coaching spot at Army. I think he's the only major college coach in America that would view West Point as a dream job.

[New Mexican Disaster]

I don't think it will happen, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bronco took the now-vacant head coaching spot at Army. I think he's the only major college coach in America that would view West Point as a dream job.

Then it will be as simple as the Quorum of the Twelve extending a calling to Andy Reid and we're all set.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Texas is delusional. Yes, it is one of the top jobs in the country but the claims of people who are candidates is laughable.

The latest is Chip Kelly. Let's go ahead and ignore the obvious that he just left college for the NFL, but the guy has a show cause penalty on him right now.

The A-list of coaches also includes Pete Carroll and Mike McCarthy. This job search is going to be a train wreck.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10...ob-speculation

[Paperback Writer]

Texas is delusional. Yes, it is one of the top jobs in the country but the claims of people who are candidates is laughable.

The latest is Chip Kelly. Let's go ahead and ignore the obvious that he just left college for the NFL, but the guy has a show cause penalty on him right now.

The A-list of coaches also includes Pete Carroll and Mike McCarthy. This job search is going to be a train wreck.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10...ob-speculation

Texas will find another decent head coach. Something to remember is that several top college programs pay better money than the NFL and there are instances of successful college HCs not being successful in the NFL and returning to the college game - Nick Saban is a good example. But I doubt Chip Kelly leaves this soon, not to mantion the show cause penalty noted above. Nevertheless, I think we haven't seen the last of Chip Kelly coaching college football. In my view, the question is whether the next Texas HC will have Fred Akers/John Mackovic success or Darrell Royal/Mack Brown success.

Longhorn, Inc. wants the recent success at Alabama of Nick Saban but that is very rare. So few coaches can achieve that type of success over a multii-year span. A few that come to mind: Bear Bryant, Alabama 1971-79; Barry Switzer, Oklahoma 1973-80; Tom Osborne, Nebraska 1993-97; Bobby Bowden, Florida St. 1992-2000; Dennis Erickson, Miami 1989-94; Pete Carroll, USC 2002-08; and Nick Saban, Alabama 2008-13. I think Texas is far more likely to hire the next Fred Akers rather than the next Nick Saban. I admit to being a fan of Mack Brown and think Texas won't fully appreciate what they had in Austin until the next hire does not fare as well.

A quick rundown of Texas HC modern history...

Darrell Royal	1957-1976	167-47-5	.774	1963, 1969
Fred Akers	1977-1986	86-31-2	.731	none
David McWilliams	1987-1991	31-26	.544	none
John Mackovic	1992-1997	41-28-2	.592	none
Mack Brown	1998-2013	158-47	.771	2005

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think Texas is far more likely to hire the next Fred Akers rather than the next Nick Saban. I admit to being a fan of Mack Brown and think Texas won't fully appreciate what they had in Austin until the next hire does not fare as well.

First of all, there is such a huge diff between those two coaches that you have presented a false dichotomy.

Second, why are you so certain that they are destined to fail on this hire? Seems like they have more cash and facilities than they have ever had. Night and day different from the Akers era.

[Paperback Writer]

First of all, there is such a huge diff between those two coaches that you have presented a false dichotomy.

Second, why are you so certain that they are destined to fail on this hire? Seems like they have more cash and facilities than they have ever had. Night and day different from the Akers era.

Perhaps I should clarify, I don't think Texas is going to "fail" on this hire. But I don't think they will hire the "next Nick Saban ala Alabama" becasue that is so rare as I've already mentioned. I do question whether the new hire will be more successful than Mack Brown. The question then becomes: will that be considered a "failure" by Longhorn fans if there is a dropoff from Brown's record? To further clarify, I don't consider Fred Akers a failure at Texas. If the Longhorns win the Cotton Bowl after the 1977 and 1984 seasons, they have a couple of more NCs. It's also worth noting that it took Mack Brown to return Texas to the success they enjoyed under Akers as McWilliams and Mackovic couldn't reach it. I'd also like to point out that too many Longhorn fans have the opinion that all it takes is cash and resources to be successful. Those things certainly help but, in my view, it takes the right coach at the right program and at the right time to capture that kind of success.

So I guess my question is: what makes Texas so confident that they can do better than Mack Brown? Yeah, they have the money, resources, and facilities but that doesn't always mean automatic success.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Perhaps I should clarify, I don't think Texas is going to "fail" on this hire. But I don't think they will hire the "next Nick Saban ala Alabama" becasue that is so rare as I've already mentioned. I do question whether the new hire will be more successful than Mack Brown. The question then becomes: will that be considered a "failure" by Longhorn fans if there is a dropoff from Brown's record? To further clarify, I don't consider Fred Akers a failure at Texas. If the Longhorns win the Cotton Bowl after the 1977 and 1984 seasons, they have a couple of more NCs. It's also worth noting that it took Mack Brown to return Texas to the success they enjoyed under Akers as McWilliams and Mackovic couldn't reach it. I'd also like to point out that too many Longhorn fans have the opinion that all it takes is cash and resources to be successful. Those things certainly help but, in my view, it takes the right coach at the right program and at the right time to capture that kind of success.

So I guess my question is: what makes Texas so confident that they can do better than Mack Brown? Yeah, they have the money, resources, and facilities but that doesn't always mean automatic success.

In other words, they are not likely to repeat the once-in-a-generation type of run that Nick Saban has had? I suppose you could say that for any hire at any university at any point in time. When Saban retires, it is not likely they will repeat it at Alabama either.

I was a student at Texas during the Akers era. He was not a good coach.

As for "I'd also like to point out that too many Longhorn fans have the opinion that all it takes is cash and resources to be successful." you are twisting my words. That is most certainly not what I said. Of course you have to have a little luck in getting the right coach.

[Paperback Writer]

In other words, they are not likely to repeat the once-in-a-generation type of run that Nick Saban has had? I suppose you could say that for any hire at any university at any point in time. When Saban retires, it is not likely they will repeat it at Alabama either.

I was a student at Texas during the Akers era. He was not a good coach.

As for "I'd also like to point out that too many Longhorn fans have the opinion that all it takes is cash and resources to be successful." you are twisting my words. That is most certainly not what I said. Of course you have to have a little luck in getting the right coach.

My intent was not to ascribe the "all it takes is cash and resources" to you but I do think that describes the mentality of many Longhorn fans and I've lived in Texas long enough to experience a decent sample size.

Also, I wouldn't describe Saban's success at Alabama as "once-in-a-generation" but that's all in how one chooses to categorize it. IMO, Switzer, Osborne, and Bowden had similar success. Or is that in a past generation? We've seen Alabama repeat it with Bear Bryant and Nick Saban. We can't be that old??? Pete Carroll is more recent though.

But I don't understand the decision to usher Mack Brown out the door. Admittedly, I'm somewhat of a fan which is interesting since I'm not a fan of UT - at least for football - it's a great academic university. From my viewpoint, Longhorn, Inc. is thinking, "We can do better than Mack Brown, just look at what Nick Saban is doing at Alabama. And we have more money, better facilities, and are surronded by better HS talent than Alabama." And my response is: "Look at your history, Mack Brown is as good as your going to get!"

Perhaps, I'm off in my characterization. But Texas has a HC who has won a NC and is, IMO, a very good HC. I really question whether Texas can do better. I see it at trading Brown for the next Saban, Osborne, Switzer, Bowden, etc. And while I don't think those are once-in-a-generation, they are still rare.

I see it as Texas playing poker and being dealt a full-house. And then trading in a card in order to get 4-of-a-kind. And they think they will get that 4-of-a-kind winning hand, not because they are lucky, but because it is their due.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My intent was not to ascribe the "all it takes is cash and resources" to you but I do think that describes the mentality of many Longhorn fans and I've lived in Texas long enough to experience a decent sample size.

Also, I wouldn't describe Saban's success at Alabama as "once-in-a-generation" but that's all in how one chooses to categorize it. IMO, Switzer, Osborne, and Bowden had similar success. Or is that in a past generation? We've seen Alabama repeat it with Bear Bryant and Nick Saban. We can't be that old??? Pete Carroll is more recent though.

But I don't understand the decision to usher Mack Brown out the door. Admittedly, I'm somewhat of a fan which is interesting since I'm not a fan of UT - at least for football - it's a great academic university. From my viewpoint, Longhorn, Inc. is thinking, "We can do better than Mack Brown, just look at what Nick Saban is doing at Alabama. And we have more money, better facilities, and are surronded by better HS talent than Alabama." And my response is: "Look at your history, Mack Brown is as good as your going to get!"

Perhaps, I'm off in my characterization. But Texas has a HC who has won a NC and is, IMO, a very good HC. I really question whether Texas can do better. I see it at trading Brown for the next Saban, Osborne, Switzer, Bowden, etc. And while I don't think those are once-in-a-generation, they are still rare.

I see it as Texas playing poker and being dealt a full-house. And then trading in a card in order to get 4-of-a-kind. And they think they will get that 4-of-a-kind winning hand, not because they are lucky, but because it is their due.

By his own admission, Mack Brown has under-performed since 2009/2010. He has also made some major recruiting blunders by passing on most of the recent Heisman trophy winners.

You keep building this Nick Saban straw man to make your point, but I am not buying it. Hell, we would like to just starting winning the B12 from time to time for starters.

I am very glad the powers-that-be in Texas don't have your "we can't possibly do any better than this!" attitude. Sheesh.

[Paperback Writer]

By his own admission, Mack Brown has under-performed since 2009/2010. He has also made some major recruiting blunders by passing on most of the recent Heisman trophy winners.

You keep building this Nick Saban straw man to make your point, but I am not buying it. Hell, we would like to just starting winning the B12 from time to time for starters.

I am very glad the powers-that-be in Texas don't have your "we can't possibly do any better than this!" attitude. Sheesh.

Then let's burn the Nick Saban stawman. How about Bob Stoops? OU under Stoops has won the B12 from time to time. Can OU do better than Bob Stoops? OU hasn't won a NC since 2000!

Perhaps, OU remembers football seasons between Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops and the Sooner's think maybe 'ol Bob isn't all that bad and maybe he's the best coach for the Sooners to win their next NC. In contrast, Texas has decided it's had enough of 'ol Mack and someone else can do it better.

A corollary to "we can't possibly do any better than this" is "things can get much, much worse when a successful HC is ushered out". If it could happen at OU then it could happen at UT. I think Mack Brown could have brought Texas back into the NC conversation. Or was 2009 just too long ago?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Then let's burn the Nick Saban stawman. How about Bob Stoops? OU under Stoops has won the B12 from time to time. Can OU do better than Bob Stoops? OU hasn't won a NC since 2000!

Perhaps, OU remembers football seasons between Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops and the Sooner's think maybe 'ol Bob isn't all that bad and maybe he's the best coach for the Sooners to win their next NC. In contrast, Texas has decided it's had enough of 'ol Mack and someone else can do it better.

A corollary to "we can't possibly do any better than this" is "things can get much, much worse when a successful HC is ushered out". If it could happen at OU then it could happen at UT. I think Mack Brown could have brought Texas back into the NC conversation. Or was 2009 just too long ago?

Trajectory.

There is a chance that a new coach would be worse. There is also a chance that the new coach would be as good or better. I think the odds of the latter are pretty good.

[imanihonjin]

Trajectory.

There is a chance that a new coach would be worse. There is also a chance that the new coach would be as good or better. I think the odds of the latter are pretty good.

That is what Nebraska thought when they fired Frank Solich. There program has never fully recovered.

[Jeff Lebowski]

That is what Nebraska thought when they fired Frank Solich. There program has never fully recovered.

And nobody cares.

[cougjunkie]

By his own admission, Mack Brown has under-performed since 2009/2010. He has also made some major recruiting blunders by passing on most of the recent Heisman trophy winners.

You keep building this Nick Saban straw man to make your point, but I am not buying it. Hell, we would like to just starting winning the B12 from time to time for starters.

I am very glad the powers-that-be in Texas don't have your "we can't possibly do any better than this!" attitude. Sheesh.

We talked about this, QBs from Texas that Mack Brown passed on:

Greg McElroy
Johnny Manziel
Robert Griffin III
Darron Thomas
Matthew Stafford
Nick Florence
Andrew Luck
James Franklin
Kolton Browning
Chuckie Keeton
Christian Ponder
Andy Dalton
Ryan Mallett
Nick Foles

Instead he went with Colt McCoy (good choice but not over Stafford, Ponder and Dalton), Jevan Snead (bust who transferred to Ole Miss), Garrett Gilbert (bust who transferred to SMU), Case McCoy, Connor Wood (transferred to Colorado), David Ash, Connor Brewer (transferred to Arizona), Tyrone Swoopes (looked good in Spring ball last year).

Jameis Winston (not from Texas but said they were his top choice, called Mack Brown and Mack said no thanks)