Alaka gone

[Joe's Generic Horn]

The proverbial shoe is Definitely on the other foot now. Mack Raellt screwed us dragging his announcement out.

 

[MPAhorn14]

In your vast experience of doing so, please explain how a coach does that if they would rather be somewhere else.

Ok smart ass, I obviously don't coach but when we hire an "excellent defensive coach" I expect him to keep the "excellent defensive recruits" that have already committed to the program. It's not like he had to go convince these guys to come to Texas, they were already committed. Maybe they are candy ass kids that can't handle the new tough regime under Strong? Only time will tell, but at first glance it is not a good impression.

 

[Juan]

This recruit popped up on the radar about the time Alaka's visit was announced

It appears the coaches saw the writing on the wall.

http://www.hornsports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5701

Alaka is a tough loss IMO, reeling in Hill becomes a priority now.

 

[Davharjac]

Ok smart ass, I obviously don't coach but when we hire an "excellent defensive coach" I expect him to keep the "excellent defensive recruits" that have already committed to the program. It's not like he had to go convince these guys to come to Texas, they were already committed. Maybe they are candy ass kids that can't handle the new tough regime under Strong? Only time will tell, but at first glance it is not a good impression.

Look, just bc you have committed does not mean that other coaches and schools aren't working on getting you to flip that commit. It does not matter if CS is a defensive minded coach or not..committing has a ton to do with the relationship with the coaches. A new coach comes in and you may like him, but there is that doubt of not knowing him as well as another coach and staff. I know what we think of aggy...but really that isn't how a lot of young men today view them...they are nationally recognized...I don't care how much we all hate it..they are. I don't want to hear that they are going to be terrible bc Johnny is gone..they have had some good classes, they are going to be around. Can't wish them away. There will actually be battles in recruiting...we will win some, and we will lose some.

 

[MPAhorn14]

Look, just bc you have committed does not mean that other coaches and schools aren't working on getting you to flip that commit. It does not matter if CS is a defensive minded coach or not..committing has a ton to do with the relationship with the coaches. A new coach comes in and you may like him, but there is that doubt of not knowing him as well as another coach and staff. I know what we think of aggy...but really that isn't how a lot of young men today view them...they are nationally recognized...I don't care how much we all hate it..they are. I don't want to hear that they are going to be terrible bc Johnny is gone..they have had some good classes, they are going to be around. Can't wish them away. There will actually be battles in recruiting...we will win some, and we will lose some.

I agree completely with your analysis, however I fear that we are in no way guaranteed to have a good year next year. We have our work cut out for us

 

[Randolph Duke]

As long as Charlie Strong tells recruits the have to not only show up for class, but also be on time and they are expected to graduate, he is going to have a tough time countering Sumlin's pitch that entire semesters off campus with on-line classes are what athletes can expect at aggy. And as aggy moves more toward Perry's 7-Solutions, the disparity is just going to grow.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

As long as Charlie Strong tells recruits the have to not only show up for class, but also be on time and they are expected to graduate, he is going to have a tough time countering Sumlin's pitch that entire semesters off campus with on-line classes are what athletes can expect at aggy. And as aggy moves more toward Perry's 7-Solutions, the disparity is just going to grow.

Agreed.

 

[armadillo slim]

bye

 

[bbdude]

bye

Agreed. Bye Alaka.

Sumlin is a bit confident these days it seems. His recent tweet:

[tweet]427629344362479616[/tweet]

 

[CoachBobbyFinstock]

Strong has his work cut out for him big time.

I understand the deck was stacked in the 90s as I lived through that era but this seems different.

The SEC appeal, Sumlin's recruiting prowess and the fact that Texas cannot beat them on the field has changed the dynamics IMO this go around.

Texas needs to win big next year but I don't think they will.

 

[JimsTexas]

Wow I really did not know that losing a couple kids would bring down The University of Texas the Flag ship collage in the intire state of Texas. This is not our first time to lose players and guess what over the years Texas still has a better football record against top ranked teams than a$m has. So were is all the pain y'all are speaking of let me ask are you real Longhorns fans crying I'm sure as hell not crying.

My friends y'all have a great week

 

[Randolph Duke]

I agree completely with your analysis, however I fear that we are in no way guaranteed to have a good year next year. We have our work cut out for us

I intend to start doing my part next week. Or maybe the week after.

"We"?! Lol.

"They" have THEIR work cut out for them. We get to sit around and be fat lazy alumni.

 

[tshirtfan12]

Can't blame Mack for this, he had him as a solid. The kid saw a better opportunity for him and switched. What I don't understand is at least until after NSD why Strong did not keep one coach who had Texas high school ties. Dumb on his part

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Can't blame Mack for this, he had him as a solid. The kid saw a better opportunity for him and switched. What I don't understand is at least until after NSD why Strong did not keep one coach who had Texas high school ties. Dumb on his part

Chambers

 

[JMagana]

Anyone suspect aggie bribes.... SEC way.

 

[JimR]

Anyone suspect aggie bribes.... SEC way.

No, and your comment is very Aggie-like.

 

[JMagana]

No, and your comment is very Aggie-like.

Ohh yeah.... Half the people here sugest it happens and someone brings it up and its aggie like.

Don't take things to serious... its a discussion.

 

[steveh9801]

I wish we could get out of the Big12 conference. Dodds did a lot of good things for UT, staying in the Big12 and pushing the GOR were mistakes. It has to be one of the negative recruiting tactics used against UT.

 

[Juan]

Why didn't ESPN do a story on this flip?

Oh wait, they did .......

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/10358714/texas-aggies-beat-texas-longhorns-recruiting-battle-espn-300-linebacker-otaro-alaka

For Alaka, every meeting with the new Texas staff was critical. He'd been committed to Texas for nine months but had almost no relationship with these new coaches.
"I'm definitely listening more carefully to his words and really studying him," Alaka said after his meeting with Strong.

Strong's visit led to an impromptu whiteboard session with Cy Falls head coach Kirk Eaton.

Strong talked up his history as a defensive wizard and his plans to tailor a scheme to Texas' talent. He raised the possibility of operating out of a base 3-4 with Alaka disrupting off the edge. He had to convince the linebacker he'd still be comfortable in Austin despite the change in coaching staffs.

As Strong and Jean-Mary departed, Alaka said he felt good about the meeting. He even mentioned he might visit Texas over the weekend to meet the rest of the staff. And then, less than 30 minutes later, A&M was in the building.

* * *

Soon after, Sumlin strolled in wearing a black A&M polo, blazer and slacks, accompanied by lead recruiter Jeff Banks. They stepped into Eaton's office and closed the door.

Cy Falls principal Becky Denton opened it a few minutes later. The die-hard Aggie couldn't miss this. After 10 minutes of stories and laughter, she thanked the coaches for visiting and cheerfully reminded Alaka he'd have to deal with her if he chose the Longhorns.

"Hey, you do know I sign the diplomas ..." Denton said. She was mostly joking.

* * *

Alaka loved Texas, but he knew he had to reconsider Texas A&M.

"None of this would've happened if the Coach Brown thing doesn't happen," Eaton said. "But that's big-time college football."

He'd taken his official visit to College Station less than a week before Sumlin showed up at Cy Falls. There wasn't much more that needed to be said at this point.

NCAA rules prohibit reporters from sitting in on these visits, but afterward Alaka and Eaton agreed Sumlin was the same as always: calm and cool. Alaka trusted him and his staff.

The A&M coaches knew their advantage. They'd bonded with Alaka for more than a year. Their competitor hadn't. There wasn't much need for last-ditch pleas or pressure. They liked their chances.

 

[Embrey]

I wish we could get out of the Big12 conference. Dodds did a lot of good things for UT, staying in the Big12 and pushing the GOR were mistakes. It has to be one of the negative recruiting tactics used against UT.

Going undefeated in the Big 12 is going to be the easiest way to enter the playoff. If Texas cannot go undefeated in the Big 12, how is another conference going to help them?