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Honest question

Matt Cotcher

Under Contract
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Jan 29, 2014
Messages
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On my drive back to Austin this afternoon, I kept coming back to the same question: What would Mack Brown's record have been if he stayed another year?

Positives: He knew the talent on hand, did a solid job of adapting to talent, would not have had to deal with suspensions/dismissals.

Negatives: The team's trajectory over the last 3 seasons, his ability to handle the adversity of adversity (Ash & Espinosa injuries).

So what say you? If everything happened the same injury-wise and the only change was in coaching staffs, what would Texas' record have been?

 
I think we win more. Here are my thoughts:

- We don't have the same exact issues with the offensive line without suspensions.

- We may still have Swoopes, but I'm not convinced he doesn't put Heard in.

- I think we have a better offensive system.

- We keep Greg Robinson and the defense is still good enough.

All that said, we would be in the same position as last year where we are staring at mediocrity with no end in sight. At least now things are constantly changing...whether good or bad remains to be seen. Right now it all hinges on whether or not the offense can improve over the next two years because I believe that's the timeframe Strong will have.

 
In the short term, we may have one a couple of extra games since he was not about to clean house and take out the trash the same way CS did.

However chances are we still end up with Swoopes as the QB and while he "may" have had a little more time in the pocket, I don't think we would have seen a much different result out of him.

As for long term, we would have been completely screwed. While I am not ready to call Strong a savior of the program, it most certainly was not going to be Mack Brown at this point in his career. At one point, obviously, just not now.

So yeah, maybe would have won a few more games, but would have continued to sacrifice the future.

 
Mack was only 9 wins from tying DKR. Imagine what it would have been like trying to get rid of Mack if he had tied or surpassed DKR. As it was, it was hell to push him out the door.

If Mack had stayed and gotten 10 wins, the long term damage to the program of either shoving out the guy who was the all-time winningest coach and had bested DKR, or retaining him, considering his bad judgements which lead to the lack of talent Coach Strong was stuck with, would have redefined the program. Mack had to go. He wasn't the equal of DKR and we couldn't let him hang on and take the icon that is DKR from the fanbase. 

It was a much bigger issue than the 2014 season record that was at stake. It was the identity of the program. 

 
I think we win more. Here are my thoughts:

- We don't have the same exact issues with the offensive line without suspensions.

- We may still have Swoopes, but I'm not convinced he doesn't put Heard in.

- I think we have a better offensive system.

- We keep Greg Robinson and the defense is still good enough.

I think all 4 points are fair assumptions.

And to everyone talking about "the future" that's not what this is about. Charlie Strong & staff went 6-7....under the same injury circumstances, I'm wondering what Mack Brown & staff would have done this year.

 
It was time to make a change .. . .so net net, even if we win one or 2 more games, we continue in the wrong direction.  .. .loved Mack but it was time.

Having said that, maybe one more win.   Think Swoopes needs more coddling than CFS will put up with so you can argue that we win OU without the goal line turnover.

That and UCLA were the only games we should have won so at most 2 more wins. . . .

But no Malik .. . no Poona Ford. . . .no shot at the Florida 5 this year.

Honestly, we're on the right path but we have to have 2 things. . ..QB. . .DUH. . . ..and OL play. . . 

 
It was time to make a change .. . .so net net, even if we win one or 2 more games, we continue in the wrong direction.  .. .loved Mack but it was time.

Having said that, maybe one more win.   Think Swoopes needs more coddling than CFS will put up with so you can argue that we win OU without the goal line turnover.

That and UCLA were the only games we should have won so at most 2 more wins. . . .

But no Malik .. . no Poona Ford. . . .no shot at the Florida 5 this year.

Honestly, we're on the right path but we have to have 2 things. . ..QB. . .DUH. . . ..and OL play. . . 
Basically what echeese is saying is...

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The Horns would have had a winning record due to Mack simply not suspending players.  Estelle would have been an integral part of the OL which would have accomplished the goal of Raulerson never stepping on the field, which would have helped.  NOTE:  not saying that in a detrimental way, just an evaluation.

In saying that, 100% in favor of the coaching change and from a long term perspective, the program would have suffered even with a winning record this season.  The program is going down the right path to become a consistent contender, but patience is key not only from a player standpoint, but from a coaching game management standpoint as well.

 
Honestly, I only came over to HS because I thought there were only honest questions over here.... am I being dishonest with myself? ;)

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Matt, why ask this? I have a dog named after Mack. After the way Brown behaved when it was time for him to go, I would have changed the dogs name, if it wouldn't have caused confusion.

In the end, I think Mack was a very polarizing figure in UT sports. Hiring Jamail, Sally in red at the banquet, and the list goes on.

I am very grateful that we have Charlie, and I have moved on. I don't care what Brown's record would have been. He's not here. Woulda, shoulda, coulda...

Hook 'em!

 
Matt, why ask this? I have a dog named after Mack. After the way Brown behaved when it was time for him to go, I would have changed the dogs name, if it wouldn't have caused confusion.

In the end, I think Mack was a very polarizing figure in UT sports. Hiring Jamail, Sally in red at the banquet, and the list goes on.

I am very grateful that we have Charlie, and I have moved on. I don't care what Brown's record would have been. He's not here. Woulda, shoulda, coulda...

Hook 'em!
for you or the dog ?

sally in red at the banquet? what does that mean? not familiar.

 
For the dog, naturally, I'm convinced that I was up to the task. :-)

Sally gave away all of her Longhorn apparel, and then she wore a red dress to Mack's last football banquet.

 
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