The Extended Forecast - Spring priorities for Charlie Strong

[Matt Cotcher]

in Texas Longhorns Football By Matt Cotcher   

 @mlcotcher
 
With the 2014 season in the rear view mirror, Head Coach Charlie Strong, his coaching staff, and his team are preparing to take the next step in restoring Texas football as a national title contender. Strong’s first year at the reins finished with a 6-7 team that was better than the poor teams the Horns played, and outclassed by the good teams Texas faced.

But that was 2014 - the football offices are now firmly focused on 2015. Moving forward, there are several priorities for Strong and the coaching staff. After spending a year changing the culture of the football program, fans will see Year 2 start with familiar events, serving as a reminder of the amount of change that is happening in Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Complex.



Assistant Coach Openings

Shortly after the dismal showing in the Texas Bowl, Charlie Strong relieved Les Koenning and Bruce Chambers of their duties as assistant coaches. For the last few weeks, the media and fans have bandied about potential hires for the vacant positions, including: Tim Brewster, Ron Dugans, Tony Levine, Derek Lewis, Tee Martin, and Darrel Wyatt.

Over the past few days, Strong attended the AFCA Coaching Convention in Louisville, KY. At the conference, Texas’ head coach connected with several candidates, but no hires have been announced.

Reports are that Levine and Dugans remain in consideration for jobs. As careful with the hires as Strong has been, expectations are that names will not emerge until the vacancies are confirmed as filled.



Locker Room

The suspensions and dismissals that purged the roster during the 2014 season was symbolic of the culture change that Strong was implementing. Quite simply, Strong needs players that completely commit to his core values and the mentality he demands on the field.

With a season’s worth of practice time, Strong and his assistants now know the team – a luxury they didn’t have before the 2014 season. With that familiarity, the staff has reportedly identified several additional players that are yet to fully commit to the program.

After nine total players left the program last Fall, another 5-8 are expected to transfer or leave the program throughout the Spring. Expect the majority of the moves to happen before Spring practices begin, so that both the coaches and the team have an accurate picture of the roster they’ll be working with leading up to August.




Recruiting - National Signing Day

After a 6-7 season, many questioned whether or not Strong could connect with the most talented high school players and convince them to join his effort to restore Texas football. The popular line of thinking was that Strong’s value system resonated with parents of recruits, but not the recruits themselves.

Then on December 19th, Strong received commitments from Mesquite Poteet teammates Malik Jefferson and DeAndre McNeal, two of the top-rated recruits in the state of Texas. The announcements by Jefferson and McNeal signified that blue chippers from the Lone Star state are still enamored by playing for the Longhorns, and that Strong’s style connects with more than adults.

Since the Poteet duo committed, Strong and Texas have surged in recruiting. Notably, Strong secured commitments from 5 key players from Florida, some of which are scheduled to enroll for the Spring semester, enabling them to begin competing for playing time immediately.

With only a few weeks left until National Signing Day, Strong appears to be in an enviable position of having more players that want to commit to the Horns than available spots on the roster. Expectations are for Texas to finish the recruiting cycle with a class of about 30 players, meaning there should be 5-6 more commitments before NSD.



Spring Practice

Although official dates have not been set for Spring practices, it’s safe to assume they will take place in the second half of March. That means that the recruiting finish, early enrollments, and roster attrition mentioned above should all conclude before the beginning of practices.

With his two immediate predecessors each only having one losing season during their tenure, Strong should be feeling pressure to improve on 6-7. With a clear picture of the roster he’ll have in August, expect Strong to use Spring practices to focus on fundamentals, and having all positions openly compete for spots on the depth chart.

Knowing that each day’s performance impacts their standing on the two-deep roster, translates to the mental toughness and attitude that Strong expects from players. Instilling a focus on competing every day, and earning the right to play in games, fits strategically within the culture that Strong is working to build. 

 

[bcherry168]

He will need to find a quarterback. And hopefully a backup quarterback. Otherwise, a winning season will be very difficult.

 

[streettopeschel]

Priority #1...QB. 

There is no #2.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Priority #1...QB. 

There is no #2.

Or

Priority #1....QB

Priority #2....see priority #1

 

[Royal 60]

FIND. A. QB

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Y'all have a one track mind! 

I was trying to get a wider scope than quarterback issues!

 

[Mike Garland]

Y'all have a one track mind!

I was trying to get a wider scope than quarterback issues!

Offensive linemen.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Curtis Riser adds to the transfer list. With MJ McFarland's announcement earlier today, Strong is getting a clear picture of next year's roster...and it's getting more clear by the day.

 

[doc longhorn]

He will need to find a quarterback. And hopefully a backup quarterback. Otherwise, a winning season will be very difficult.

See, I disagree.  I think he has two QB's.  At least I think he has two QB's that could play behind a decent line, but are not capable of playing behind the line we have.

I think you are right when saying the QB's, including Gentry, need to be in serious competition and may the best man win.

But, nay - I think what he has to determine is how he can elevate his OL to a competitive condition.  And that means blocking for our RB's and, most importantly, for our QB's.

Here is what I do this spring.

I have a one on one meeting with both Wickline and Watson and I lay the frigging law down.  I tell each of them that, at the end of spring, I want a clear and concise plan on how you are going to get both the OL and QB positions competitive, who the players are, their backups and the offense you plan to implement.

And, by the end of fall, our offense better be running like a sewing machine.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I agree that much of the offensive success will come from the OL, but I also agree that the QB concern is legit.

What we know is that Swoopes is highly inconsistent, lacks some fundamental qualities of a QB. It's uncertain if his career can be resurrected. 

You know I'm a big Heard fan. I believe he can get it done. But in this day of college football, the likelihood of injury is high. So we've GOT to have a backup plan. You would prefer to not have to rely on a Swoopes or even a Gentry for that backup role. But you add another couple of QBs (Merrick and Locksley) and at least you have additional competition for that back up spot, and perhaps the starter role if Heard struggles.

And I'm not comfortable with that.

Bring me Braxton Miller and put my mind to rest.

 

[HornEsch]

QB and OL

Without one or both it will suck.

 

[doc longhorn]

I agree that much of the offensive success will come from the OL, but I also agree that the QB concern is legit.

What we know is that Swoopes is highly inconsistent, lacks some fundamental qualities of a QB. It's uncertain if his career can be resurrected. 

You know I'm a big Heard fan. I believe he can get it done. But in this day of college football, the likelihood of injury is high. So we've GOT to have a backup plan. You would prefer to not have to rely on a Swoopes or even a Gentry for that backup role. But you add another couple of QBs (Merrick and Locksley) and at least you have additional competition for that back up spot, and perhaps the starter role if Heard struggles.

And I'm not comfortable with that.

Bring me Braxton Miller and put my mind to rest.

But you see, SHL, where you and I differ in concepts is that you are convinced an offense lives or dies with the QB.  I, on the other hand say nay, nay.  Without the proper surrounding cast, even Braxton Miller will fail.

As an example - McCarron and Alabama - 3 national titles playing with a managing QB that was certainly no super star, but was surrounded by All Americans.  Particularly in the OL.

I will agree that you can't win with a poor QB, but you can't win with a poor OL either.  Football is a team concept - not a singular player.

 

[GBT]

Strong better have two QBs ( one NOT being Swoopes ) ready Sept 5th. He better have an OL that can block and a defense that is as good or better than this last season....Otherwise, we are looking at 6-6 if not worse. ND and the stretch of OSU,TCU,OU,KSU along with a road game against WVU and Baylor.....California put 30+ on about 8 opponents last year...We could be 4-8 if our OL and QB sucks, and don't replace Brown and Hicks at LB; and fix our terrible secondary that was exposed against Arkansas and TCU.

 

[doc longhorn]

Strong better have two QBs ( one NOT being Swoopes ) ready Sept 5th. He better have an OL that can block and a defense that is as good or better than this last season....Otherwise, we are looking at 6-6 if not worse. ND and the stretch of OSU,TCU,OU,KSU along with a road game against WVU and Baylor.....California put 30+ on about 8 opponents last year...We could be 4-8 if our OL and QB sucks, and don't replace Brown and Hicks at LB; and fix our terrible secondary that was exposed against Arkansas and TCU.

I'm not ready to trashcan Swoopes yet.  He sucked in our last two games, but so did the OL and our RB's.  AND our receivers.  Swoopes was still, basically, a 19 year old freshman - he , for sure, wasn't superman.  I'm, also, convinced that Heard would not have done as good.  I tend to believe our coaches in that regard.

But he flashed in the UCLA and OU games, hence my reluctance to throw him away, like some on here..

Those on here, that support Heard, believe he will be better this year.  So do I.  I believe that Swoopes will, as well. 

It's the natural progression of experience and maturing.

There are some that believe Heard just needs to be thrown in to see how he does.  Great, why don't you throw your 1 year old in the pool to see if he can swim.  That's the same analogy.  I assume you wouldn't because you know he couldn't swim and would drown.  According to our coaches, the same applies to Heard.

Not meaning to be snarky, but you either trust our coaches evaluations or you don't.  I'm convinced they know a helluva a lot more about player evaluation than anyone on here.

 

[beevomav]

I'm not ready to trashcan Swoopes yet.  He sucked in our last two games, but so did the OL and our RB's.  AND our receivers.  Swoopes was still, basically, a 19 year old freshman - he , for sure, wasn't superman.  I'm, also, convinced that Heard would not have done as good.  I tend to believe our coaches in that regard.

But he flashed in the UCLA and OU games, hence my reluctance to throw him away, like some on here..

Those on here, that support Heard, believe he will be better this year.  So do I.  I believe that Swoopes will, as well. 

It's the natural progression of experience and maturing.

There are some that believe Heard just needs to be thrown in to see how he does.  Great, why don't you throw your 1 year old in the pool to see if he can swim.  That's the same analogy.  I assume you wouldn't because you know he couldn't swim and would drown.  According to our coaches, the same applies to Heard.

Not meaning to be snarky, but you either trust our coaches evaluations or you don't.  I'm convinced they know a helluva a lot more about player evaluation than anyone on here.

There is some precedent to support this. 

This past season Swoopes, in really his first year,  threw for 2300 yards, with 13 td's and 10 ints. A QBR of 120.3

In 2012, his freshman year, Trevone Boykin of TCU threw for 2055 yards with 15 td's and 10 ints. A QBR of 126.4

Boykin did not much better his sophomore year with 7 td's and 7 int's, but this last season he blossomed with 3700 yards, 30 td's and 7 ints.

Sometimes it takes a while for these kids to get it. I look at the start of Kenny Hill has at aTm and think he was on his way. Flash forward and he is transferring. Not every kid can be like those guys at Ohio State. It takes time for most to develop. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

I'm not ready to trashcan Swoopes yet.  He sucked in our last two games, but so did the OL and our RB's.  AND our receivers.  Swoopes was still, basically, a 19 year old freshman - he , for sure, wasn't superman.  I'm, also, convinced that Heard would not have done as good.  I tend to believe our coaches in that regard.

But he flashed in the UCLA and OU games, hence my reluctance to throw him away, like some on here..

Those on here, that support Heard, believe he will be better this year.  So do I.  I believe that Swoopes will, as well. 

It's the natural progression of experience and maturing.

There are some that believe Heard just needs to be thrown in to see how he does.  Great, why don't you throw your 1 year old in the pool to see if he can swim.  That's the same analogy.  I assume you wouldn't because you know he couldn't swim and would drown.  According to our coaches, the same applies to Heard.

Not meaning to be snarky, but you either trust our coaches evaluations or you don't.  I'm convinced they know a helluva a lot more about player evaluation than anyone on here.

I'm convinced they know a helluva a lot more about player evaluation than anyone on here.

Wow! You can't be serious?

 

[doc longhorn]

There is some precedent to support this. 

This past season Swoopes, in really his first year,  threw for 2300 yards, with 13 td's and 10 ints. A QBR of 120.3

In 2012, his freshman year, Trevone Boykin of TCU threw for 2055 yards with 15 td's and 10 ints. A QBR of 126.4

Boykin did not much better his sophomore year with 7 td's and 7 int's, but this last season he blossomed with 3700 yards, 30 td's and 7 ints.

Sometimes it takes a while for these kids to get it. I look at the start of Kenny Hill has at aTm and think he was on his way. Flash forward and he is transferring. Not every kid can be like those guys at Ohio State. It takes time for most to develop. 

The voice of reason.  Well stated.

What I fear, however, is that Swoopes is now damaged goods.  His confidence is crushed and may be irreparable.

In truth, Swoopes should not have even seen the field until this year - his Junior year.  After Ash bowed out, last year, all Strong wanted Swoopes to be was a place holder.  Nothing more.  Then the OL happened, and Jaxon happened.  Our defense was good, but not good enough.

Disaster.

Heading into this year we now have an experienced QB with a confidence problem and that's untrustworthy and a RS freshman that had looked terrible in practices.

We need them both to make vast improvements this year.  Both of them.

That's it, that is what we actually have.  Well, we have Gentry and Merrick but they will RS and cannot be counted on.

So, depth wise, it behooves Strong to find either a JUCO or a D-1 ready grad.  It is no more complicated than that.  In other words, we need a 3rd string QB.

So our QB situation is what it is.  But, God help us if we can't find a way to protect them.  And protection is not just blocking for them in passing situations, it's blocking for our RB's and having our receivers getting open and catching the ball.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

The voice of reason.  Well stated.

What I fear, however, is that Swoopes is now damaged goods.  His confidence is crushed and may be irreparable.

In truth, Swoopes should not have even seen the field until this year - his Junior year.  After Ash bowed out, last year, all Strong wanted Swoopes to be was a place holder.  Nothing more.  Then the OL happened, and Jaxon happened.  Our defense was good, but not good enough.

Disaster.

Heading into this year we now have an experienced QB with a confidence problem and that's untrustworthy and a RS freshman that had looked terrible in practices.

We need them both to make vast improvements this year.  Both of them.

That's it, that is what we actually have.  Well, we have Gentry and Merrick but they will RS and cannot be counted on.

So, depth wise, it behooves Strong to find either a JUCO or a D-1 ready grad.  It is no more complicated than that.  In other words, we need a 3rd string QB.

So our QB situation is what it is.  But, God help us if we can't find a way to protect them.  And protection is not just blocking for them in passing situations, it's blocking for our RB's and having our receivers getting open and catching the ball.

So the coaches have literally said that Heard had looked terrible in practices? Just who did they say that to? Did they tell you that directly? Or did you hear it through some source?

 

[primal defense]

The voice of reason.  Well stated.

What I fear, however, is that Swoopes is now damaged goods.  His confidence is crushed and may be irreparable.

In truth, Swoopes should not have even seen the field until this year - his Junior year.  After Ash bowed out, last year, all Strong wanted Swoopes to be was a place holder.  Nothing more.  Then the OL happened, and Jaxon happened.  Our defense was good, but not good enough.

Disaster.

Heading into this year we now have an experienced QB with a confidence problem and that's untrustworthy and a RS freshman that had looked terrible in practices.

We need them both to make vast improvements this year.  Both of them.

That's it, that is what we actually have.  Well, we have Gentry and Merrick but they will RS and cannot be counted on.

So, depth wise, it behooves Strong to find either a JUCO or a D-1 ready grad.  It is no more complicated than that.  In other words, we need a 3rd string QB.

So our QB situation is what it is.  But, God help us if we can't find a way to protect them.  And protection is not just blocking for them in passing situations, it's blocking for our RB's and having our receivers getting open and catching the ball.

I hope the coaches are not thinking like you and  looking for a 3rd string QB. We need someone to come in and compete for the starting job right away. You made good points in the first part of your post on why we need someone to compete for the starting job not a third stringer.  Sure Swoopes and Heard can and should improve, but I rather we find an alternative in case they don't improve enough.

Kevin Hogan announced that he was going back to Stanford, so that leaves Miller and Golson that we know of and this point.