Responses: The Brown Bag with Former Texas QB James Brown

[HornSports Staff]

James Brown was the starting quarterback at The University of Texas from 1994-1997 and won numerous Southwest Conference awards and honors throughout his career with the Longhorns.  For those that didn't have the opportunity to witness Brown's play on the 40 Acres, he was a dynamic player and leader that was responsible for helping move the Texas program back into college football relevance.

Brown's Texas teams won the last Southwest Conference Championship, finishing with a 10-2-1 record in 1995, and the inaugural Big 12 Championship in 1996 when they upset 3rd-ranked Nebraska 37-27 

Brown will answer HornSports' members questions a couple of times each month.  Here is round 1 from Brown.

Q&A with HornSports Members & James Brown

How much if any contact have you had with Charlie Strong and the current coaching staff, if any and what is your impression of them? Do you still keep in touch with the program?

I spoke with Coach Strong during the Spring Game Alumni events. Just cordial conversation.  He knew who I was, my football history etc, which was encouraging.   This article is my attempt to keep in touch with the program. I have been coaching HS and College football the past 8 years, so I’ve been working every weekend.  I’m just learning how to be a live Football Fan again, vs watching old game film over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.  

Your first game/start against OU and of course the inaugural Big XII Championship game will always be my fondest memories of James Brown.  Speaking of the 1st Big XII championship game, the NU fans really didn't like your comment "Maybe we'll beat them by 21 pts". Did the NU players talk a lot of smack to you early in the game about your remark and then afterwards, were they gracious enough to congratulate you? 

We were a confident team, and Nebraska’s ‘black shirt”  aggressive style played into our strengths.  We competed with every opponent during my four years.  I knew we would compete against a, then top 5 team also.  I don’t remember any apologies, but I did get some pre-game funeral flower delivered to my Point South apartment from a NU fan.

Secondly, on the Roll Left call, were you surprised at Mackovic's call and how open D Lewis was? 

Rock and Roll!  Playaction pass against an aggressive “D”.    I was a good call, we had a plethora of plays Coach would pull out from time to time.  That Roll Pass off of the Rock playaction was highly successful.  I threw my first  R&R TD to Chad Lucas, then FB against Baylor back in the day.

JB, you started as the backup QB to Shea Morenz and toward the end of your Texas career you ended up in a QB competition with Richard Walton.  In between you did some amazing things for Texas.  What advice can you give the group of young quarterbacks at Texas? 

Right now, all I have is for them to game prepare like a pro.  Get with coaches during spare time to understand the game plan, each play’s strategy, opponents defensive strategies.  Most importantly, know the playbook. Getting us out of enough bad play is as good as making a big throw or run.

Which UT game did you enjoy playing the most (regardless of outcome)?

I liked the OU game atmosphere, weather we make a big play, or a big mistake, the crowd sounds the same. Half Krunk and half disappointed.  I enjoyed the non-conference games  Notre Dame, Pitt, Nebraska ,Colorado ,North Carolina, Penn State.  Although we didn’t win all of them, they prepared us for the season, and make us better in upcoming games.

Would you have liked to play in the type of spread offenses of today?

I would have needed to be in better shape.  I have taught the option, and I ran a lot of option in my West Brook high school days. Its all reading DT’s , DE’s,  LB’s, or EMOL’s.  The Spread is easier, due to the yardage depth of the decision making. 

Not to go all fanboy but the 95 aggie game is my favorite ever. Any memories of that game?

I remember a severely sprained ankle with 4 lbs of tape.  Trainer Spanky Stephens personally got me ready to play, I didn’t know how to miss games at the time.  The O-Line and the Defense played Great that game. Westbrook broke McElroy’s jaw on a swing pass. We snapped the Aggies long- time home game winning streak. Our fans stormed their field (mistake), which gave those cadets of theirs something aggressive to do.  I remember post game, I’m elevating my ankle on the bench, it was a dark night in college station, I’m spent, I see Longhorn fans running across the field, and cadets chasing behind.   

I would like to know, James, how difficult Mackovic’s offense was to learn? 

It wasn’t thought of as hard, because I wanted to learn, so I could play.  I was making audibles & checks in HS, so I understood football as a freshman.  The Pro-Style offense allowed me to have success in NFL Europe and Arena Ball.  

James, how does coaching high school ball differ with what you recall as a player? I'm a woman, passionate about football, and a high school teacher. Do you feel that kids have less self-discipline now? How does that impact what you can do? 

Coaching and playing HS football was what I remembered as a youngster.  Each generation of HS kids wants to have something that’s “theirs,” whether it’s a slang interpretation or a fashion.  To an adult, most things are childish or unnecessary, as were our fashions/ slangs to our elders.  I can’t compete or keep up.  Self-discipline for a typical 60’s or 80’s kid has different meaning than it does for today's kids, good or bad. 

Who was the best RB, WR, TE you played with at UT? Favorite game/win for you?

Best RB – Ricky Williams / Shon Mitchell / Priest Holmes

Best WR – Wayne McGarity / Mike Adams / Kwame Cavil / L. Pickney / Curtis Jackson

Best TE -  Pat Fitzgerald

What did it mean for you to be only the second black quarterback at The University of Texas? Did you and Donnie Little ever talk? 

Donnie Little  was a very positive figure for me since my first day on campus.  He kept me in the loop with alumni, positive folks, & media issues that made me mature and kept me trouble free.  As far as the “afro-american” QB stuff, I was Texas’ #1 rated QB coming out of High School……I expected to start wherever I went.  I really was oblivious to the racial situation coming into college.  I was made aware, but I knew nothing else.  My dad JB Sr, suggested that I go to a school in the state where I would live. I visited Syracuse , Alabama, and UT. 

 

[TXHorns99]

Thanks for the time JB! I was there for the game in College Station, & that game is still 1 of my favorite games of all time.

 

[tejasrulz]

I was there for the game in College Station, & that game is still 1 of my favorite games of all time.

Ditto. I remember getting flipped off by so many aggy it was actually funny! I remember this one couple, she was in a Texas shirt, he was in an aggy shirt and the look on his face is etched in mind.

Thanks for the responses James, was always fun watching you play!

 

[HornSports Staff]

"Westbrook broke McElroy’s jaw on a swing pass. "

Here's that play in video:

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Not to be a buzzkill, but today Westbrook's hit is probably flagged for targeting.

 

[Rotty22]

Not to be a buzzkill, but today Westbrook's hit is probably flagged for targeting.

i agree....you're a buzzkiller.