Texas Longhorns' struggles are on Mack

[java]

TEXAS!

(I'm smiling and going to Big D!)

 

[Embrey]

I have been critical of Mack Brown for a long time. That being said, in politics, sports and life I do not give any merit to unnamed sources (with the exception of whistle blowers who are risking their life and/or career to bring information to the public).

Mack Brown is a powerful man but I don't believe he is a warlord with the power to make your career go away.

Until somebody puts their name on those wuotes I give them zero consideration even though they somewhat fit the narrative of what I think is going on.

Art Briles, Bob Stoops, Gary Patterson, Kevin Sumlin and others are not stupid enough to make those comments, even off the record. They do not want Texas to get better.

The only divisive thing I see about these unsourced quotes is that they might illicit some of the BMDs from Mack's era to get his back. If they do that I could see it as divisive.

The main point right now is Texas has to stand together.

IMO, Charlie should suspend Boyd and Haines for a game. That way, old and young, Mack recruit or not, you all got me (Charlie Strong) to deal with.

 

[BudreauReye]

Thank you Bomb. I haven't been on the Board lately because I want my life to be positive. I think it's important when you are dealing with chemo. I watch the games and analyze them, win or lose. I want to see the freshmen and sophomores fight their butts off. I guarantee you that's how I'm going to come out on top, and that's how they will come out on top. It may not happen this year, but it will happen.

Write down the names of the people who want to excuse Mack from this mess, blaming Charlie. When Charlie gets this crap straightened out, they will hop on the bandwagon. When that happens, remind them of what they said. Feel free to use quotes. They will crawl back to their dark little corners of the world.

Now, how about we start this right...

Texas!

I got some schmutz on my screen, java ... I coulda sworn you said, "When Charlie gets this crap straightened out, they will BOP on the bandwagon."  Nevertheless ... that woulda worked anyways!  ... Java, persevere and get better!

 

[streettopeschel]

First, all the best Java.

Second, the 'it's Macks fault' is tired. It doesn't matter. Nobody thinks Charlie inherited a loaded roster. Most coaches who replace a fired (yes, fired) coach don't. It's the new Guy's job to make the most of it. See DKR 1957.

Mack also didn't make Charlie hire an OC so inept he was demoted one game in to season two or devote the entire offseason to a QB benched after one game.

If it comforts folks to blame someone other than Charlie, go for it.

And ou still sux.

 

[Embrey]

Agree. Charlie doesn't want all this blame Mack talk anyway. Mack gave us some great years. Now Charlie is here. This is Charlie's team. Let's go forward.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Although Strong abruptly made wide receivers coach Jay Norvell his offensive play-caller after the season-opening loss at Notre Dame, opposing coaches insist Strong's schemes on both sides of the football are sound.

Like I said, the problem isn't Norvell, Wickline, or Bedford. The problem wasn't Watson either. 

You can out scheme another coach all you want, if you don't have talent it really means nothing. 

Bedford fielded a top 25 defense 5 years in a row. Wickline produced elite offensive lines several years in a row at OSU. The trend stopped because of one very important thing, lack of talent. They haven't turned into bad coaches overnight, they just don't have anything to work with. 

 

[utisdabomb12]

Another crazy thing is if Strong didn't dismiss/transfers like 10-12 Mack players our roster would be even more screwed. Go look at where most of the players ended up. They either quit football or ended up at programs like SHSU or West Alabama. Three players ended up at semi respectable programs. Hammad is currently Baylor's 3rd string center, yep. James came in to Auburn out of shape and some think he might not even play football again. Catalon is redshirting at Houston. 

If you think the roster is bad now, just imagine if 8 of the dismissed/players that transferred were still on the roster which would have taken away from scholarships in the '15 class. Some people don't understand the depths of how shitty Mack left this roster. 

 

[DMAC]

I think last year was about 75% on Mack. Can't be 100% because he ain't the coach anymore. New coach has to have some responsibility for what happens on the field.

This year is 50% on Mack, 50% on Charlie. A new coach should start making his mark for sure in the 2nd year and you should see signs of improvement by year end. 

Third year is 75% on Charlie and 25% on Mack. A new coach should have all but taken completely over in the 3rd year and should be competitive in every game.

Fourth year is all Charlie. No more blaming the previous guy. The 4th year should tell you whether your coach has it or not. 

This is why I think Charlie should get a minimum of 3 years. The big question in my mind is whether or not we will see improvement by year end of his 2nd year. I certainly hope so for Charlie's sake so we can began to see some stability in the program.  

It is Mack's fault, we are still starting Gray over Foreman and 1.5 years later.  Especially giving Gray the ball on 4th and 2.  K-State last year and TCU game this year.  I'll give him some credit he did make one 3rd and 2 after it looked like he was going to be tackled by the first guy behind the LOS.

It is Mack's fault, our Special teams kickers and punters have greasy fingers or feet.

It is Mack's fault, we went through an entire off season with Watson as OC to yank him after game 1 and put in Norvell.  What did it accomplish?  A faster 3 and out offense.  Up Tempo baby!

It is Mack's fault, we consistently send all receivers on go routes on 3rd & 4 when the defense is blitzing

While Mack left us with crap, as long as Charlie brings in good recruits I will hang tight until after year 3.  At least we are bringing in talent for another coach if Strong gets fired.  At this point it doesnt matter, my expectations are so low now it cant get much worse, unless we lose to Kansas (knock on wood)

 

[echeese]

Interested to see what Mack's response to this is. Coaches of opposing teams are calling him out, wow.

Really . . . .which coaches?   Always hate the "anonymous source" quote.

Certainly Mack has a big share of the blame. . . 

But as I have said from week 1 (in the Cheap Seats) this year, this team is not fundamentally sound on either side of the ball, especially defense.

Over on OB, I had Anwar and Ketch try to gang up on me (was called "clownish" and told the D "held their own"  their quote) after I pointed out vs ND. . .that blaming the O for the D's performance was short sighted and bullshit.   Funny, today in the WR, Richardson now pointed to problems from week 1 on both sides.

And keep in mind, I am a big fan of Mack and a bigger fan of CFS' hiring but CFS needs to own some of this too. . .especially on D.

I get it is easier to scapegoat someone. . . .to find a boogey man, blame them for all the problems but in life, that is seldom reality .. . 

No question recruiting fell off sharply. . . .but keep in mind, Mack turned a ton of recruiting over to Will and Major in preparation for Will taking over.   Mack should have stuck to plan and gone out on top after 2009. . . . .

 

[GBT]

I find that odd. If Mack turned recruiting over to Will Muschamp we should have talent. Look at the talent level at Florida. Did Will just decide to become a good evaluator/recruiter at Florida after being terrible at Texas ????  

 

[dillohorn]

It will take 4 years to undo Macks damage. Until then it is 100% on Mack.

 

[Reverent Horn]

Let me try to understand this.  Mack is fired for going 8-4 his last year.  Charlie comes in and runs off 11-13 players, several of whom were highly recruited (several O-linemen), then uses "lack of upper-classmen" as an excuse for all the 20+ point losses and abysmal play.  Then goes to TCU, who played several freshmen and backups, and gets steamrolled in the first quarter, failing to score no more than 7 points in the game. I suspect Texas certainly has more talent than TCU's backups.  

Charlie has lost 7 games by 20 or more points since he's been here and the season is still young.  Barring a miracle, Stoops will score until his players get tired of it; so will Briles. TT will likely take us to the woodshed too.  There is ample evidence to support Charlie sucks as a coach, but almost none to suggest he is a good coach or that he can handle the stage at Texas.  He is 1-6 in our last 7 games and is coming off another losing season.  

We are close to last in almost every major NCAA statistical category, even behind teams like Ball State, but that has nothing to do with Charlie? Give me a break.  He has had only two winning seasons at Louisville and that was with a NFL QB at the helm while playing in the worst of the big conferences in football. Prior to Bridgewater, he had a winning pct of .500.  To paraphrase, he has had 2 winning seasons in 6 years of head-coaching.  

Several posters here see things like they would like them to be, not as they are.  Charlie Strong is a trainwreck and given another year will result in even more record lows being set.  He may be a good guy, but he is no power school football coach. He is in way over his head.

Somewhere Mack is laughing his head off at Texas and Charlie.

 

[dillohorn]

If I throw up on your carpet, it's my mess until it's cleaned up.

 

[Rotty22]

Let me try to understand this.  Mack is fired for going 8-4 his last year.  Charlie comes in and runs off 11-13 players, several of whom were highly recruited (several O-linemen), then uses "lack of upper-classmen" as an excuse for all the 20+ point losses and abysmal play.  Then goes to TCU, who played several freshmen and backups, and gets steamrolled in the first quarter, failing to score no more than 7 points in the game. I suspect Texas certainly has more talent than TCU's backups.  

Charlie has lost 7 games by 20 or more points since he's been here and the season is still young.  Barring a miracle, Stoops will score until his players get tired of it; so will Briles. TT will likely take us to the woodshed too.  There is ample evidence to support Charlie sucks as a coach, but almost none to suggest he is a good coach or that he can handle the stage at Texas.  He is 1-6 in our last 7 games and is coming off another losing season.  

We are close to last in almost every major NCAA statistical category, even behind teams like Ball State, but that has nothing to do with Charlie? Give me a break.  He has had only two winning seasons at Louisville and that was with a NFL QB at the helm while playing in the worst of the big conferences in football. Prior to Bridgewater, he had a winning pct of .500.  To paraphrase, he has had 2 winning seasons in 6 years of head-coaching.  

Several posters here see things like they would like them to be, not as they are.  Charlie Strong is a trainwreck and given another year will result in even more record lows being set.  He may be a good guy, but he is no power school football coach. He is in way over his head.

Somewhere Mack is laughing his head off at Texas and Charlie.

looks like GBT or DMAC created a new account.

 

[DMAC]

looks like GBT or DMAC created a new account.

So witty, try harder.

Explain if its 100% on Mack then why isnt Foreman starting over Gray.  Gray is a leftover from Mack.  Foreman came in Strong's first year.  Explain to me why its Macks fault and not the decision of the current coaching staff.  If you say to me it doesnt matter the OL sucks, then ok, more reason to start Foreman since he is more of punishing back North/South runner and blocks better than Gray.  Foreman doesnt fall down from the first guy that touches him unlike Gray. 

But yea right its Macks fault Gray is still overrated and starting 1.5 years later under Charlie Strong and staff.

 

[streettopeschel]

If I throw up on your carpet, it's my mess until it's cleaned up.

can we now consider the F****** carpet cleaned and the results going forward are Charlie 's?

 

[pringlelake]

The ridiculous and continuous stirring of the shit pot concerning what Mack Brown did and din't do needs to stop. The guy was not less than the 2nd greatest coach the University of Texas has ever had and deserves a pass on some mistakes he made. He made  enough good decisions t enable UT to have more wins over a certain 10-12 tyear stretch than any other major football program in the nation.

He didn't leave the cupboard empty.  Not full and loaded but not empty. I think Mack's cupboard would have been pretty damned empty as well if...when he came in to take over...he would have told Ricky Williams and friends to hit the road because they smoked weed...or wore their hair in long braids. Mack did just the opposite of Charlie...he circled what he had on hand and didn't lose any of it...but instead maximized its potential. Furthermore he hit the ground recruiting like a mad man and had unrivaled success over quite a nice stretch.

now..speaking of Charlie...he wants to do it his way...and it just might turn out to be 100% what we need. He is in line with my personal life style, and I couldn't be a bigger supporter. Today is such a high for me that I refuse to speculate about what "might" happen in the future. I'll enjoy what I have today and be content with projecting all that happened into future success for the Horns. If we win out...or lose out...either way...it will not be all because of Charle.. Nor will all of the success or failure fall upon Mack.

 

[GBT]

I guess Mack gets the credit for this win over OU......SMH

 

[North Texas Golfer]

It will take 4 years to undo Macks damage. Until then it is 100% on Mack.

So Mack gets credit for this win? Just kidding. Great, f...ing fantastic win for Charlie!

 

[java]

First, all the best Java.

Second, the 'it's Macks fault' is tired. It doesn't matter. Nobody thinks Charlie inherited a loaded roster. Most coaches who replace a fired (yes, fired) coach don't. It's the new Guy's job to make the most of it. See DKR 1957.

Mack also didn't make Charlie hire an OC so inept he was demoted one game in to season two or devote the entire offseason to a QB benched after one game.

If it comforts folks to blame someone other than Charlie, go for it.

And ou still sux.

Street,

I always appreciate your responses.  Most of the time, I have to respond from my phone, and for some inexplicable reason, I haven't been able to do that since Wednesday or Thursday.  It just stopped posting.

Yesterday on the way home from the game, I logged out hoping that when I logged back in, the issue would be fixed.  Nope, couldn't log in from phone.  I don't get it.  Right now, I'm on the computer.  That won't be possible once I get home.

In some respects I agree with you, but in others I disagree.  Athletes can be coached up, but you cannot coach speed, quickness, or football iq.  Each can be improved, but only to a certain ceiling.  Mack left a hodgepodge roster with many players whose attitudes and behavior left much to be desired.

Mack was tired when he finally left.  I understand that.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.  He gave us a lot.  It took a lot out of him when Cole was killed in the accident.  He had two knee replacements.  Cleve betrayed his trust.  AND, this is a coaching job that is constantly under scrutiny.  Most of us would have been tired, but the roster was poorly constructed, with less talent than we had in some time.  The 2014 draft was no accident.

You never troll the board, and people have a right to their opinion.  However, we do have some trolls on here, and I will never cut them any slack.  IMO, Charlie owns up to every mistake he makes, as well as every loss, even when he has freshmen playing juniors and seniors.

I'm a Charlie fan, and I will own up to that every time.

I am truly blessed, street, doing well.  Had chemo on Friday evening.  The visit was really long because, believe it or not, my bloodwork disappeared for over an hour.  Not until I went back for more bloodwork, did they 'find' the first one.  The charge nurse was very unhappy with hematology.  Strange things happen at even the best facilities.

We got back to the place I was staying about 12:30 am Saturday morning, and got up at 5am to go to Dallas for the game.  Pulled up to the CB at 9.  It was worth it all.  We were cheering and dancing the whole game.  High fives all around.  Stayed after the game for Strong bodysurfing, The Eyes, Texas Fight, and the crowd chanting Texas!  Fight!  

Drove back to half way point after post game.  I was done for the day, but it was so worth it.  Great win, and great to be there.

Hook 'em!