Taking Sides on Charlie Strong's "championship" comment

[Matt Cotcher]

In this week's Taking Sides, Sean and I debate Charlie Strong's comment about Texas not winning the national championship this year. What do you think - helpful or hurtful?

 

[Bear19]

I don't think it is necessarily helpful or hurtful. And to understand the comment you would have to listen to his entire remarks to appreciate the context.

There is one thing of which I am quite certain. Our Fanbase can make a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[BudreauReye]

I do not think it is helpful or hurtful either ... Now, whether the original question that elicited the response, was a reasonable question or not ... well that is a whole 'nother debate, isn't it?  Bear said, " ... Our Fanbase can make a mountain out of a molehill."  Well, I am of the opinion that fans in general can posit some pretty stupid questions.  Coach Strong's candor is refreshing.

 

[Knothole77]

Personally, I think Coach Strong could have gone with out saying it.  I think the average fan already knew our team wasn't going to be in contention for it.  Maybe he's trying to bring some of the players that think they are great back down to earth.  However, I don't think you ever want your players to think your playing for nothing or don't even have a snowballs chance in hell.  Just my two cents.  That being said, I do enjoy his straight, no nonsense way of talking, and that's fair.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

In this week's Taking Sides, Sean and I debate Charlie Strong's comment about Texas not winning the national championship this year. What do you think - helpful or hurtful?

Neither

I found his comment eye-raising at first, but his candor is appreciated.  We have too many question marks to be considered a serious threat for the MNC.  Building a championship-level team is a process that I believe Coach Strong fully understands.

Let's compete for another Big 12 Championship first before we start talking Natty's.  Y'all remember that Mack only won two of those, right?

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I think it's hurtful. He may have helped himself by tempering fan expectations, but his job isn't to temper expectations...part of what his job is to do is set high expectations.

It's like a parent telling a kid that he won't make an A on a math test. Hey, maybe that kid can't count to 20, but don't let him believe that. Push him to be greater and believe in himself.

Strong shouldn't limit the ceiling...he should raise the expectations.

 

[BudreauReye]

I think it's hurtful. He may have helped himself by tempering fan expectations, but his job isn't to temper expectations...part of what his job is to do is set high expectations.

It's like a parent telling a kid that he won't make an A on a math test. Hey, maybe that kid can't count to 20, but don't let him believe that. Push him to be greater and believe in himself.

Strong shouldn't limit the ceiling...he should raise the expectations.

Point well taken ... but he is not limiting anybody's ceiling.  He is speaking realistically about a work in progress.  His players have not earned the right to anything more than that, why should fans who can tend to be a bit entitled, expect anything better.  Personally, I find his honesty refreshing.  Let's play in the neighborhood and represent ourselves well before we claim "King of the Hill".  Honestly, I sometimes think it is the fans who should be denied the right to throw up the Horns until they earn it, not the players!  Of course, you understand that the purpose of this new feature is to take sides.  Hey!  I am just being cantankerous!  It IS the off season and all! 

 

[drgilbert]

I heard him in an interview the day after that statement. Don't remember his exact words but the way he phrased it was well thought out. There is no telling what he is telling the team behind closed doors. If I was a player I would take it as a challenge and go out and whip some butt

 

[Randolph Duke]

Coach Strong's job isn't to opine on the limits of the team he is building. His job is to develop the potential of the players and to develop a strategy to put the team in a position to have a chance to win each game. If he feels he cannot develop the potential of the players, he has an ethical obligation to step aside. If he feels he is incapable of developing a strategy to make the team competitive, he has an ethical obligation.

Either way, Coach Strong seems fairly sure he isn't up to the task of ensuring the team is competitive next year.

 

[drgilbert]

He did not say they would not be competive. He said they would not win the NC. Big difference. If he said we would win the NC the part of the fanbase would say he was stupid, unproven QB, unproven oline, unproven D. I don't have a problem with what he said, but maybe he should have not said it all.

 

[Randolph Duke]

He did not say they would not be competive. He said they would not win the NC. Big difference. If he said we would win the NC the part of the fanbase would say he was stupid, unproven QB, unproven oline, unproven D. I don't have a problem with what he said, but maybe he should have not said it all.

Does Coach Strong intend to make a statement every year whether he believes the team will or will not be in the NC game? Is not, why did he decide to do so this year?

Coach Strong made a huge mistake making the statement he did. No leader should announce the organization has no chance of reaching its goal, or announcing its goals should be centered in mediocrity. If Coach Strong feels incapable of delivering anything other than mediocrity this season, we have the wrong leader.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Some excellent points being made on both sides....except for a couple of milquetoast posters at the beginning.

 

[BudreauReye]

... Either way, Coach Strong seems fairly sure he isn't up to the task of ensuring the team is competitive next year.

iI am sorry, HornSports!  But, I am going to have to breech our usual agreement of genteel treatment of our fellow posters ...

 HuummmnnH!  Not so sure how anybody could come to this conclusion.  And, if they really DID come to this conclusion, I am not so sure how anybody, in their right mind, could take them seriously.  If you would like to enlighten me on this subject, please do.

Geez!  I guess I am not so good at confrontational posting ... Huh? 

 

[drgilbert]

We will have to let next year play out before we come to any conclusions of his coaching and leadership skills. He said he plans to bring a team that is competitive and that the fans would be proud off. If we go 10-2 or 9-3 that to me is not mediocre.

 

[BudreauReye]

Does Coach Strong intend to make a statement every year whether he believes the team will or will not be in the NC game? Is not, why did he decide to do so this year?

Coach Strong made a huge mistake making the statement he did. No leader should announce the organization has no chance of reaching its goal, or announcing its goals should be centered in mediocrity. If Coach Strong feels incapable of delivering anything other than mediocrity this season, we have the wrong leader.

Oh Lordy!  You sound like that Son of Sam writer for the Deadly Toxin regarding Myles Turner.  Sometimes things would be better if some people did not open their mouths unless they really had some input or insight into how things happened.  You do not know whether we have the right leader or not.  Maybe you oughta give him a chance and see how things work out before you pass your almighty judgement.

 

[monarch]

helpful - bending down upon your knees at night to say your prayers, never ever committing adultery, steering away from idle gossip, and knowing that the earth is indeed round.

hurtful - somehow not realizing that the university of texas, has a new, and yet proven head coach charlie strong.  for whom, has thus performed with grace, humility, as well as foremost integrity, in trying in earnest, to acclimate himself as per his new collegiate football team, as well as with one of the world's foremost fanbase's.  additionally, to somehow refrain from realizing that there is actually such a maddening concept as "silly season"...  and that there are actually many of us, that have not become adapt to stemming the tide... therefore, let us now pray, that they do not dwell in glass houses.

 

[drgilbert]

We will have to let next year play out before we come to any conclusions of his coaching and leadership skills. He said he plans to bring a team that is competitive and that the fans would be proud off. If we go 10-2 or 9-3 that to me is not mediocre.

Sorry didn't mean to post again

 

[Randolph Duke]

We will have to let next year play out before we come to any conclusions of his coaching and leadership skills. He said he plans to bring a team that is competitive and that the fans would be proud off. If we go 10-2 or 9-3 that to me is not mediocre.

Someone needs to ask Coach Strong how long he forsees nothing but mediocrity for the team. Nothing inspires upperclassmen like a head coach who tells them he doesn't have the ability to lead them to anything other than mediocrity. I'm not quite sure the exact number of coaches pulling down $5 mil a year who tells their kids before the season starts that they don't stand a chance of achieving their goals, but we know it is at least one.
"Guys, failure is inevitable for us, so you might as well accept it and get used to failing. We don't stand a chance this season, but hell, I'm pulling in $5 mil regardless, so why do I care. I have seen what you are capable of and when I see you, I dont see any chance whatsoever of success. Now, who is ready to take what is coming to us?"

Darrell Royal is rolling over in his grave and Bob Stoops is rolling over in a fit of laughter.

 

[BudreauReye]

This discussion is useless.