Does Mack need to be on Hot Seat in 2012?

http://www.bevoball.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/coach_brown1-300×198.jpgAfter the dismal way this season played out, and with the over haul of assistant coaches, the fan base expected a size-able turnaround even though we had a young team the expectations were still there.  The problem seemed to be the team either played better than everyone expected – but in some cases it was perceived as worse. There was no middle ground with this team and there probably should have been.  Then throw in the fact there were two inexperienced quarterbacks, and no one was really happy.

For a lot of programs a 7-5 record and bowl game is a great season. But this is Texas.  Mediocrity is not acceptable.  With some schools, maybe so…but not Texas. There is a solid expectation within the fan base to be one of the top five teams in the nation every year.  And why not?  While this is not a full rebuilding effort within the program, it is as much of a rebuilding effort as anyone wants to see.  You would think Mack would have seen this coming two years ago and been prepared.

After 14 seasons at Texas and some unprecedented success on the 40 acres, there are some within the fan base starting to wonder if Mack deserves another free pass. At times this year Mack looked like he was beaten down and ready to quit, but then at other times he looked refreshed and happy.  Anyone can say those extreme highs and lows can wear one down. So, should Mack Brown have a warm chair at the start of next year?

How can you look at 12 years of success and decide to cut it down and put the coach on the firing line? There is one simple fact that everyone must look at; if your rivals and conference opponents are starting to pass you, then yes! It is time to put Mack Brown on the hot seat, and be ready to save the program from falling into a full rebuilding mode.

I am not a Mack Brown hater; in fact I am probably more of an apologist for Mack than the average fan. But after one horrible year, and a not so great year, it is time to start thinking about the possibility of changing coaches.  Mack Brown has done more for the University of Texas football program than anyone since Daryl Royal.  But at some point, you have to know when to say when. And it is getting close to that time.

Mack needs to be put square on the hot seat going into next season. If he can’t deliver a solid 10 win season or a chance to win the conference, then Texas needs to save itself years of bad seasons and try to replace Mack while there are still some quality recruits on the 40 acres. I know this won’t be a popular thought, but it needs to be a realistic thought. Do fans around the country want to see Texas suffer through years of mediocrity because Mack held on too long? I would hope the answer is no.

As my mom used to say, “If you can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen”.