Congrats to Coach February

[Combato]

I would like to congratulate Coach Brown on another excellent game plan as Texas goes down to Tech. Is it possible that Texas did not know that Tech was going to pass ?

Tech simply outplayed and outcoached Texas. And Chrissy did throw the big INT when the game was on the line. Texas better pray that Mac Brown can continue to recruit well. If not, they are on the road to becoming the south version of Nebraska.

 

[Avalanche]

Congratulations to Tech for the big win! It is always great to see the Longhorns lose.

Maybe, just maybe, it will shut up all these Texas homers.

Perhaps you will beat OU too and face my Buffs in the Big XII game? While I don't think anyone can beat OU in Norman when OU is "up" for the game, you guys are a good team especially at home. Too bad you don't get OU at home this year. Regardless of what happens in Norman, congratulations on the big win.

Coach February will continue to win his NC in February. Hasn't he won about 3 in a row?

Felonious Monk - send us all a postcard from the insight.com bowl please.

 

[Felonious Monk]

they are on the road to becoming the south version of Nebraska.

You hit the nail on the head.

Now tell me what needs to be done at Texas to make the program successful. Seriously.

PS please quit with all the "hype" crap. No Texas fan on this board does anything different in rooting for their team than any other fan here. You don't see it from me and you haven't seen it from anyone else so stop with that shit.

 

[Avalanche]

OK Felonious, I will spare you the "hype crap" for now. I shouldn't be hearing too much from Austin for awhile so I will give it a rest too.

Here's what I OBJECTIVELY think can make Texas a success; albeit, Texas is already a very successful team, but here's my opinion:

1. Fire Mack Brown and/or the offensive coordinator. Get a Mike Leach/Bob Stoops type of coach that can recruit, but mainly has GUTS. Get a coach that won't promise someone the starting job at QB without the guy playing a single down. Fire the offensive coordinator and get someone who can keep a defense off balance. Texas is sooooo predictable IMO. Texas is very unimaginitive on offense. While sheer talent will always win over the Baylors and Tulanes of the world, some exciting play calling would help. Mack Brown has won a grand total of ZERO big games. He has long enough of a track record to indicate that is NOT a fluke.

2. Get a mobile quarterback. You already have one waiting in the wings, and it will be exciting to see how he performs. Texas has already done this, so it doesn't need to be said further.

3. Reese might need to go, too. Texas should DOMINATE defensively, and at times they do, but what kind of game planning was that exactly against Tech? Did Reese think Tech was going to run the ball? Tech did the same things they always do. Leach has about 40 games to game film on from his days at Oklahoma and Texas Tech alone, and Tech didn't do anything differently IMO. Texas looked like they were not exactly prepared for the spread. Texas has more team speed on defense than anyone in college football, with the possible exception of Oklahoma.

4. Ok... this will be short. Don't talk about National Championships in September. Just play football and take it one game at a time.

While I admit I love to pick on Texas, there really is no excuse for Texas not to contend. With all that amazing talent, it just comes down to coaching and heart, and Texas fails miserably in these departments. The Big XII and the SEC are the toughest conferences in the nation IMO so any road game except for Baylor and Kansas is a mouse trap. You have to come to play every week and not just assume that because you're Texas you can just win without playing.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Very well put, Avalanche. The most concise and eloquent statement of the problem that I have seen out of anyone on this board without the smack talk. I agree with you on several points.

1. Fire Mack Brown and/or the offensive coordinator. Get a Mike Leach/Bob Stoops type of coach that can recruit, but mainly has GUTS. Get a coach that won't promise someone the starting job at QB without the guy playing a single down. Fire the offensive coordinator and get someone who can keep a defense off balance. Texas is sooooo predictable IMO. Texas is very unimaginitive on offense. While sheer talent will always win over the Baylors and Tulanes of the world, some exciting play calling would help. Mack Brown has won a grand total of ZERO big games. He has long enough of a track record to indicate that is NOT a fluke.

You'd be suprised but most knowledgeable UT fans share your same thoughts. Texas is destined to be a 2-3 loss team year in and year out. Mack Brown has proven for five years now that he can't win a conference championship, win key games, or make a major bowl despite having the best players in the country. We spend millions of dollars to have the best facilities in the country and yet we still find ways to lose to Texas Tech, respectfully. Mack Brown is a great recruiter, but his poor choice in assistants and lack of big-game day coaching has placed this program on a level lower than the Miami's and Oklahomas. If he doesn't have enough sense to realize that his present staff isn't getting it done then he'll be fired.

I feel like we're following what Ohio St. went through after Woody Hayes got fired. Earl Bruce had five consecutive 9-3 seasons before going 6-5 his last season.....he got fired. John Cooper had several 11-1, 10-2 seasons (but couldn't win the MNC nor beat Michigan) and went 6-5 his last season...he got fired. Both men proved that as time went on, they were not going to win a national title. Now Ohio St. is in position, with one more win, to play in Tempe. Who cares if OSU has been barely winning against bad competition, THEY ARE STILL UNDEFEATED. They finally have a game-day coach who can handle the pressure. It's time for results and personnel changes need to be made but I totally agree that we need some better in-your-face assistants.

2. Get a mobile quarterback. You already have one waiting in the wings, and it will be exciting to see how he performs. Texas has already done this, so it doesn't need to be said further.

OK this is what really scares me. We clearly have more talent watching from the sidelines than any program in America. In fact we recruited the top HS QB in Vincent Young last year who has already been touted as the next Michael Vick. If you got to see any of Reggie McNeal (A&M) against OU this year, they're both pretty comparable...explosive speed and throw great long balls. My question is, will Texas utilize his skills or will he be another wasted talent in Greg Davis's fuhked up system?

3. Reese might need to go, too. Texas should DOMINATE defensively, and at times they do, but what kind of game planning was that exactly against Tech? Did Reese think Tech was going to run the ball? Tech did the same things they always do. Leach has about 40 games to game film on from his days at Oklahoma and Texas Tech alone, and Tech didn't do anything differently IMO. Texas looked like they were not exactly prepared for the spread. Texas has more team speed on defense than anyone in college football, with the possible exception of Oklahoma.

Once again I agree with you that our preparation for Tech was lacking. Reese is considered a major player in our success over the years and I give him a lot of credit but this game was absolutely fuhking puzzling. For instance, we were in man coverage for a while in the first quarter and it was working, then we switched to zone. The zone defense (prevent defense) killed us. And we kept with it. Why, when you have a scheme thats working, would you change it to a scheme that negates all the advantages your players have? Why the fuhk would you continually blitz with linebackers while in a prevent style defense, even when you know it is going to get you beat? We brought 6 people play after play and couldn't get any pressure on KK. We made Tech's O-Linemen look like All-Americans. Not to mention the poor tackling we displayed either. We simply got worked on D.

4. Ok... this will be short. Don't talk about National Championships in September. Just play football and take it one game at a time.

So can I start talking about next year?


Now if we lose to A&M and then our bowl game and I hear Mack say "we're proud to be the first coaches at Texas to lead the football team to the 5th consecutive 9 win season. Not many other coaches in college football can say that!" i'll puke all over my keyboard.

The season has been with a doubt a major dissapointment and is sorely lacking discipline and fundamentals, even when facing teams with far, far less talent but I'm still leery to hear what the expectations are going to be for next year. There are weaknesses that need to be addressed. That is, they need to be addressed by the coaching staff and not rehashed for the billionth time. But in the meantime, I'll continue to support my team.

 

[Avalanche]

Monk,

I enjoyed your post. My, isn't this turning into a love fest or what? Seriously, I have a few questions/comments for you:

1. Vincent Young vs Mock - I've seen a little garbage time for the Horns against Tulane, but that's about it. Mock obviously was in there... Do you think Young will automatically start next year? Is that Mock guy a senior or lame duck/predispositioned backup? Everything I hear about VY is what you've said - a total stud and can run like the wind and throw it on a rope.

2. Do you know what UT's schedule is for next year? Part of it might be out. You go to College Station, you get the Huskers in Austin, K State in Austin, Tech in Austin, etc... Interesting to look at next years UT/OU game with two inexperienced run/pass QBs in OU's Thompson and UT's Young. What's the nonconference schedule shaping up to be?

3. Don't worry... UT will not lose to the Aggies under even the most remote of circumstances. I suspect you will play in the Cotton Bowl against hmmm Florida or Georgia or LSU. Don't know how all that's going to work obviously. However, of course no one is going to fire Mack Brown after this season, but I am sure even Mack will be happy to see Chris Simms graduate! UT can start anew with a breath of fresh air, and at least if UT struggles next year it will largely be due to an inexperienced QB learning the ropes and nothing more.... VY will need to get his feet wet.
I've admitted my true colors, and no, they're not burnt orange, so I see no need to continue to hammer Texas, Chris Simms, or Mack Brown. Texas has one of the best programs in the country. All UT needs is someone at the helm that is a gamer. UT's a tough place I suspect if they lose more than 1 game a season. The expectations there are sooo high. Maybe the whole UT faithful will be happy to see Simms depart, and UT will be forced to change their offensive priorities and schemes with a run/pass QB.

As far the defense goes, and dare I bring up Oklahoma in this thread, but the way teams stopped Oklahoma's spread of 2000 was NOT by blitzing, but by doing what A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Florida State did late in the 2000 season - playing complete zone and making the tackles. Limit the yards after catch. The spread offense tortures the blitz, and it seemed evident yet again. If some shmuck like me knows the way to stop the spread offense is NOT to blitz (much), why wouldnt a big timer defensive coordinator at Texas? OK... rambled on enough... I enjoyed your thread.....

 

[Felonious Monk]

OK I'm starting to run out of Kleenex over here Av.

1. Vincent Young vs Mock - I've seen a little garbage time for the Horns against Tulane, but that's about it. Mock obviously was in there... Do you think Young will automatically start next year? Is that Mock guy a senior or lame duck/predispositioned backup? Everything I hear about VY is what you've said - a total stud and can run like the wind and throw it on a rope.

It's definitely going to be an open competition in the Spring. These are 2 highly skilled QB's who share similar qualities. Mock was one of the QB's selected to go to the "Elite 11" QB camp held somewhere in California every year as a Senior in HS. The conductor of that program was even quoted as saying if he had to choose one QB to go to battle with it would be Mock because of his ability to escape the rush when under pressure and his great awareness on the field. Something along those lines. He'll be a Senior next year. Then you have redshirt Frosh Vincent Young who was tabbed by all gurus as the best Athletic QB as a HS Senior and also named the Offensive Player of the Game in the US Army All-American Bowl. Both Parade All-Americans BTW. I've seen tons of film on this kid as well as seeing him twice on TV and I've honestly never seen a kid with more talent.

I think Mock will definitely be the most prepared going into the season, and I think he'll be great. Vincent definitely has more long term potential though, and I know Mack likes to play a younger guy who might be with the program longer. But I really don't see Mack not starting Mock.

I've watched Matt Nordgren a number of times in practice, and I don't think he has a chance. He seems to be a very serviceable QB, but there's not one thing he totally excels at. He's not mobile, he's a pocket passer, but his arm is not even close to that of Simms. He has pretty nice touch on the deep ball though.

Another QB controversy perhaps? Wouldn't be suprised.

2. Do you know what UT's schedule is for next year? Part of it might be out. You go to College Station, you get the Huskers in Austin, K State in Austin, Tech in Austin, etc... Interesting to look at next years UT/OU game with two inexperienced run/pass QBs in OU's Thompson and UT's Young. What's the nonconference schedule shaping up to be?

You're correct in the games you've mentioned and as far as our non-conference schedule, we get New Mexico St., Arkansas, and Tulane at home while tripping only to Rice. I love that we play Arkansas again, talk about a rekindled rivalry.

Regarding that Thompson kid at OU, this guy is the real deal and should give us headaches in future years there. He played right up the road from me here in Austin and although I've never seen him in person, I've witnessed enough news highlights in the past few years to understand that he's very mobile and can take off in McNabb fashion.

3. Don't worry... UT will not lose to the Aggies under even the most remote of circumstances. I suspect you will play in the Cotton Bowl against hmmm Florida or Georgia or LSU. Don't know how all that's going to work obviously. However, of course no one is going to fire Mack Brown after this season, but I am sure even Mack will be happy to see Chris Simms graduate! UT can start anew with a breath of fresh air, and at least if UT struggles next year it will largely be due to an inexperienced QB learning the ropes and nothing more.... VY will need to get his feet wet.

I wish I could agree with you but we are A&M's biggest game every year. They hate us and we hate them and in these games, anything can happen and usually does. Rivalry games are very rarely easy and they should give us a good game.

I for one will be glad to see Simms move on because his lack of mobility killed us. Besides, the way our O-Line has been playing we need a mobile QB to escape the rush we seem to have on every play.

OK that's enough. I'm sure all of this Texas talk is making you nauseous.

 

[mw]

Mack Brown has proven for five years now that he can't win a conference championship

Make that 16 years now. Those of us who follow the ACC knew exactly how things would play out with Brown at UT.

 

[Bob Stoops]

Ha! Ha!

 

[Avalanche]

" Son, if you come to Oklahoma, you'll find 5 C-notes in your shoes after every practice! " - Unknown.

Monk,

Thanks for the info and sorry we both are out of Kleenex. Sounds like UT has a creampuff schedule next year with all those home games. I took plenty of Pepto so I can handle some more Texas talk with no problem. Good and information stuff on Texas. I wonder how conservative Mack will be in that decision at QB... will he want to break in the new QB or have Mock as a senior bringing some "leadership" if that's possible since he's hardly played? I would guess Mack, being a by-the-book type of guy will have Mock in there, but if UT struggles, I can hear the UT boosters now calling for VY. I've seen some footage on him and he does look good and quick.

OU's Thompson got some mop up duty vs UTEP this season and some against Baylor. He throws a very good ball when given the chance, but of course he doesn't get much of a chance. It seems the role of a QB is changing to the Michael Vick/McNabb type and less of the Chris Weinke/Simms/Hybl type of QB on good teams. The Big XII has a slew of them, too, except CU.

UT will roll A&M if McNeal is out. That Dustin Long guy is HORRIBLE. Plus, the game is in Austin. I guess you won't be going to the Cotton but rather the Holiday Bowl? That puts you up against a PAC 10 team again. I also wonder where Simms will go in the draft. I think that will be a fascinating thing. I am sure he'll go in the 1st round, of course, but like 14th or something like that. He's going to have to hear the doubters until he can prove them wrong. Maybe the Cowboys ought to get him, god knows those guys really need a QB and OU's Roy Williams will be his teammate rather than worst nightmare.

 

[Felonious Monk]

I found this page that has some excellent footage of Vincent Young playing against some pretty good competition in the Houston area. Check it out if you have some time. He's phenomenal.

The Link

Click on the "2002 Class" link on the left, then Bios, and scroll down to Vincent Young.