Crossfire with McPhaul - 10/30/2013

[LongviewLobo01]

It sucks that ego wasted a year of Swoopes' eligibility whether it was Mack's or Major's. Just completely unnecessary.

 

[o5prey]

I honestly have zero confidence that Swoopes will get enough meaningful snaps this season to justify burning the redshit. Had it been done sensibly several games ago - or if I had some confidence that they'd actually use him this season a good amount moving forward it would at least be a discussion. But we've all seen this song and dance with freshman and backup quarterbacks too many times to think differently.

 

[streettopeschel]

I will send you a PM when I get a chance.

look forward to it.

 

[HornNdriftwood]

I kind of doubt we see Ash again this year as well, but I think its premature to assume his career is over. I think Swoopes' shirt was burned (it should've been done weeks ago) in order to start getting him ready for next year. Whether Swoopes' is backing up Ash next year or running the show himself, that obviously remains to be seen.
I think Swoopes will be backing up Ash next year because I think Ash will return.

Even though I think we'll see Ash back this year in a Longhorn uniform, I applaud the coaches for getting Swoopes in the game Saturday. The plan, as stated in Aug., was to play Tyrone. His preseason injury delayed the timeline. By 1 month ago, he was physically ready, but I don't have a problem not playing him in a 1 point game in Ames. The only other game between then and now was the RRR. I don't have a problem not playing a true freshman QB in that game.

At half time of the TCU game was the half way point of a 13 game season. Swoopes is now on track to play in 6.5 games. Why don't we wait to see how it unfolds before we consider it a waste, or a terrible decision?

 

[Black Scholes]

Mack had been told earlier Manny had to go and refused to do it. They left him no choice finally. So whichever it was - stubbornness and ego or an inability to realize his DC was incapable of doing his job - either should be enough to end our relationship with him. The second one should really underscore the questions about his abilities as a manager. But it needs to be clear that if left the decision, Mack would have done nothing. Nothing.

What's being missed in our mini-resurgence here is that Mack has been to a large degree marginalized by his assistants. He's got much less of a role in the offense and Robinson and Akina are the shot-callers on D. Watch him on the sidelines. He really doesn't have a lot to do. He should count his lucky stars he has a chance to go out on a high and leave with some dignity. Being a dick and going out kicking and screaming will be truly pathetic if it comes to pass.

Powers is a loyal guy. For a long time, Mack brought him no issues and mostly just revenue and success. Think about what a boon that was for Powers in doing his job - fewer fires to put out, less political capital to spend, easier fundraising, a focus on more important (to many) and bigger-picture issues. I see him out here usually once a year (usually with Butch Worley, an Assistant AD and another really good guy who may be an unfortunate casualty of the Dodds regime change) and I've politely (or until my wife said enough) bent his ear for 3+ years that Mack had to go. It wasn't until this last spring that he acknowledged it, but you could tell it was very painful for him. He wanted to be loyal to his guys. I don't think he was able to see they no longer merited that loyalty.

I don't think Ash plays again, and I've felt that way since Concussion II. That's JMO though. I do not get the Overstreet situation and have been unable to get any real insight. Pulling the Swoopes shirt is a little bit of damned if you do, damned if you don't. We are not in a good situation at QB (nice call last year on the completely unnecessary all-in-on-Ash, Mack. Any decent JUCO reserve QB would look good right now). They are telling people Swoopes was just not game-ready until recently (which I may believe; when he first got here last Spring the feeling was he was looking like a miss at QB and would have to move - he's come a long way but he's still an untested 1A pup and desperately needed the RS). All that being said, there is no doubt The Major looks after his own best interests and he's coaching for his next gig. So probably a little bit of all of the above in that decision.

Gut says McClure to SMU, but again a guess. Brown is on his way to locking down the Metroplex with the absence of real recruiting competition.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Powers is a loyal guy. For a long time, Mack brought him no issues and mostly just revenue and success. Think about what a boon that was for Powers in doing his job - fewer fires to put out, less political capital to spend, easier fundraising, a focus on more important (to many) and bigger-picture issues. I see him out here usually once a year (usually with Butch Worley, an Assistant AD and another really good guy who may be an unfortunate casualty of the Dodds regime change) and I've politely (or until my wife said enough) bent his ear for 3+ years that Mack had to go. It wasn't until this last spring that he acknowledged it, but you could tell it was very painful for him. He wanted to be loyal to his guys. I don't think he was able to see they no longer merited that loyalty.

Shame on Mack for putting Powers in this position.

 

[SanTexHorn]

Shame on Mack for putting Powers in this position.

Shame on Mack for throwing his assistant coaches under the bus when 95% of the problems were caused by his meddling.

 

[LongviewLobo01]

Great info Black Scholes.

What do you think of the whole Saban possibility?

 

[Santa Gertrudis]

mack had been told earlier manny had to go and refused to do it. They left him no choice finally. So whichever it was - stubbornness and ego or an inability to realize his dc was incapable of doing his job - either should be enough to end our relationship with him. The second one should really underscore the questions about his abilities as a manager. But it needs to be clear that if left the decision, mack would have done nothing. Nothing.
What's being missed in our mini-resurgence here is that mack has been to a large degree marginalized by his assistants. He's got much less of a role in the offense and robinson and akina are the shot-callers on d. Watch him

on the sidelines. He really doesn't have a lot to do. He should count his lucky stars he has a chance to go out on a high and leave with some dignity. Being a $#@! And going out kicking and screaming will be truly pathetic if it comes to pass.

Powers is a loyal guy. For a long time, mack brought him no issues and mostly just revenue and success. Think about what a boon that was for powers in doing his job - fewer fires to put out, less political capital to spend, easier fundraising, a focus on more important (to many) and bigger-picture issues. I see him out here usually once a year (usually with butch worley, an assistant ad and another really good guy who may be an unfortunate casualty of the dodds regime change) and i've politely (or until my wife said enough) bent his ear for 3+ years that mack had to go. It wasn't until this last spring that he acknowledged it, but you could tell it was very painful for him. He wanted to be loyal to his guys. I don't think he was able to see they no longer merited that loyalty.

I don't think ash plays again, and i've felt that way since concussion ii. That's jmo though. I do not get the overstreet situation and have been unable to get any real insight. Pulling the swoopes shirt is a little bit of damned if you do, damned if you don't. We are not in a good situation at qb (nice call last year on the completely unnecessary all-in-on-ash, mack. Any decent juco reserve qb would look good right now). They are telling people swoopes was just not game-ready until recently (which i may believe; when he first got here last spring the feeling was he was looking like a miss at qb and would have to move - he's come a long way but he's still an untested 1a pup and desperately needed the rs). All that being said, there is no doubt the major looks after his own best interests and he's coaching for his next gig. So probably a little bit of all of the above in that decision.

Gut says mcclure to smu, but again a guess. Brown is on his way to locking down the metroplex with the absence of real recruiting competition.

great stuff!!

 

[Hoekem]

Loved every minute reading this edition of Crossfire and some of the f/u questions

 

[Shaunsters]

Black - you and I agree on King to SmU but Ogden has done a great job of getting Texas in picture. Also give credit to the work Todd wright can do with king in the future. Big time upside there

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

When you have Black Scholes and Shaunsters replying on one thread, we are all lucky1

 

[bbdude]

Roll out the red carpet and open up the good wine!

 

[statsman]

I can't see the President of the AAU firing a football coach for going 9 - 3 (although I would absolutely agree with the decision). I can't see his supposed supporters forcing him to do so.

I guess I'm saying, if Mack insists on staying, and the Horns win 9 games, I don't see Powers firing him. I don't see a new AD taking this job under the assumption that his first act will be to fire the program's 2nd winningest coach ever for going 9 - 3.

We are 5 - 2, and very likely to be 7 - 2 in a couple of weeks. We might finish 7 - 5, or 8 - 4 (with a couple of ugly losses), and a change could be in motion. If we finish 9 - 3 or 10 - 2, the movers behind the regime change have a very difficult task.

I'll say this. The coaches are sure acting like they're coaching for their jobs.

 

[3xhorndad]

When you have Black Scholes and Shaunsters replying on one thread, we are all lucky1

Totally agree........

Great thread plus outstanding takes across the board..

Now this is what I'm talking about.

Thanks guys....I'm really enjoying this site...

 

[TexasFirst1]

I'll say this. The coaches are sure acting like they're coaching for their jobs.

Yes but they should have been coaching with that mindset all along. Mack and the rest cannot seem to get their collective acts together without a blow torch to their asses and that is why UT has been stuck in perpetual mediocrity. The moment the heat is off Mack, it will be right back to underachievement.

 

[statsman]

Well , sure. It's a great lesson for everybody- the best way to keep your job is to do your job.