Wickline

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by StructureDude, Nov 24, 2015.

  1. StructureDude

    StructureDude 100+ Posts

    From an article on 247:

    "The turnaround will start when Strong overhauls his offensive coaching staff, moves that figure to take place not long after the Longhorns wrap up the regular season on Dec. 5 against Baylor. Quarterbacks coach Shawn Watson, running backs coach Tommie Robinson and offensive line coach Joe Wickline are all said by multiple sources with knowledge of the situation to be on the chopping block."

    I'm surprised by the mention of Wickline. I thought he was still regarded highly and Texas will end up paying a big price for a rental if he gets cut loose. The O line hasn't been great, but I don't really know if a different coach would (or will) produce better results. Do you guys think Wickline should be "on the chopping block"?
     
  2. ProdigalHorn

    ProdigalHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I suspect the issue is more about his activity (or lack thereof) on the recruiting trail.

    Also I do wonder a little about his general attitude about being at Texas. I know it's a small thing, but when you skip on the Eyes when the team and coaches are all honoring that tradition, it says something about how you view yourself and the team. Is he just a loner with no patience for that stuff, or is it just a job, just a stop along the way and he doesn't really care about the school?
     
  3. car54

    car54 1,000+ Posts

    Its just a job for all the coaches unless they are alums, and even then its still just a job. Its business to them.
     
  4. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    True but part of the job is participating in certain traditions and ceremonies.
     
  5. OldHippie

    OldHippie 2,500+ Posts

    If you want to bring in a new offensive coordinator, I'm sure it will help if he has some say and some leeway about who his offensive assistants are going to be. If these reports are true, Charlie may just be making it clear that there is room to maneuver in that regard.

    I personally hope Wickline stays because he seems to know what kinds of players have good potential and how to coach them up. He was dealt a pretty bad hand from the beginning in regard to talent, experience and depth, but he seems to be making some progress now.
     
  6. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    I'm a Wickline fan. I hope he stays. Given the limited resources he started with, I'd say that what he has been accomplished so far is admirable.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Horns11

    Horns11 10,000+ Posts

    Mack did a great job bridging the gap between "just a business" and his attitude about the school. Heck, the "wear burnt orange" campaign literally changed the way people appear at games. I watched the 1997 OU game on LHN and it was crimson on the south side of the stadium and a mix of navy, white, different shades of orange, and gray on the north side. He involved Royal in every big decision, not that Strong has that opportunity or whatever. He was a Texas spokesman through and through.

    I think people were so ready for "anything not Mack" in 2013 that Patterson basically said "I'll show you how far away from media savvy and school spirit I can hire." I think if we gave Strong a total of 16 years like Mack, we'll see some benefits of it (his style) and some drawbacks, but there ain't no way he's getting that much time.
     
  8. easy

    easy 2,500+ Posts

    He was brought in because he knew how to work in a spread offense. The spread basically never happened so he had to adjust. If we actually bring in a guy who can run the offense the right way you defiantly keep him.
     
  9. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    "Try hittin' somebody and see what it feels like."

     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. aak09

    aak09 25+ Posts

    Coaches on the staff who should be fired before Wickline:

    all of them

    Coaches on the staff who seem to have done a decent job this year:

    1. Wickline
    2. possibly the running backs coach
    3. no one else
    (Actually, for all of the hate, Watson seems to be doing a decent job of bringing Heard along, and of helping Swoopes with his role as a run-first quarterback off the bench and in short yardage. I personally would not rush to fire Watson until I saw what Heard could do with some big, reliable, talented receiving targets off the bench and on the field to help him--that is Norvell's fault, and anyone who thinks that he has done a good job of even coaching the receivers is a complete moron. Based on right now, Norvell should be fired at the end of the season without any freaking question. And so should Traylor based on who we are not seeing at Tight End--read, someone reliable as a receiver in all freaking weathers and against all freaking competition.)
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2015
  11. easy

    easy 2,500+ Posts

    Fire Traylor, the only coach on staff who actually knows the state of Texas and has legitimate ties to other high school head coaches yeah I don't think that would be a good idea
     
    • Like Like x 2
  12. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Now, where did I put that "Ignore" button?
     
    • Like Like x 2
  13. car54

    car54 1,000+ Posts

    You serious ? Heard looks like Ned and the first Reader at QB. A RS Freshman after week 12, and he looks clueless....yet Baylor can run their 3rd stringer out against OSU and still do well. Watson has failed us.
     
  14. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    Could be QB development. Or could be that teams and offenses are lot more than just quarterbacks.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  15. militaryhorn

    militaryhorn Prediction Contest Manager

    That's a good one coach Watson...errr....I mean...aak09. I got a good laugh out of this statement.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  16. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Heard's development from the California game to today has been underwhelming. He still does not throw before the break and rarely goes past the second receiver option. Simply put if the primary receiver is not open he runs - worked in high school; not so much now. Not saying he doesn't have talent; just that by the end of his second season on campus he should be further along with the results obvious.
     
  17. beer_dog

    beer_dog 100+ Posts

    Wasn't it Coach Bedford who said that Heard would start at wide receiver for any college in the county, but at Texas he is the QB. Hint Hint!!!
     
  18. Desperado

    Desperado 1,000+ Posts

    No doubt the coaching staff needs a complete overhaul but no decent coach in their right mind is going to want to come to Texas knowing Charlie's seat is about as hot as they come. I think we're stuck with this staff or, unfortunately, something less than this staff until Charlie's situation improves.
     
  19. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    Eagle, for a two year commitment at the right price, candidates will line up for a job on this staff. That is, assuming that Strong is still coaching the Longhorns after December,
     
  20. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I agree coordinators and assistants generally have a two year time horizon.
     
  21. Desperado

    Desperado 1,000+ Posts

    You might get a two year commitment but if the head coach is fired after the first year, then it's only a one year deal. Assistant coaches are looking for more security than what could potentially be a one year gig.
     
  22. Horns11

    Horns11 10,000+ Posts

    I think that might have been the thinking 20 years ago, but with the way assistants can show off their recruiting and systems with the advent of Youtube and Twitter these days, I don't think a 1-year spell at a Power-5 team is necessarily a death toll for job security. They just parlay it into the next job.

    The coaching ranks of FBS are very tight-knit. Assistants typically find work, even if they fail somewhere. Hell, if Manny Diaz got his job back, so can someone who takes over the RB coaching job at Texas and leaves the next year.
     
  23. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    A two year guarantee would remain in place regardless of what may happen to the HC after year one. The money is guaranteed.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  24. JustWin

    JustWin 250+ Posts

    That's the way SP would do it.
     
  25. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Nahlin has suggested we maybe looking at different OL coaches

    Names mentioned are Missouri's Josh Henson and Arizona State's Chris Thomsen (says more to come)
     
  26. No doy

    No doy 25+ Posts

    I had heard such great things about Wick. When the staff came together I was more excited about him than anyone based on what I'd read and heard. I mean he was advertised as a OL guru. To be honest, I was actually somewhat impressed with the OL this year. I think like most other units on the team, it's been lacking experience and talent.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  27. IvanDiabloHorn

    IvanDiabloHorn 1,000+ Posts

    I kind of like great assistants like Akina , Applewhite etc that can recruit, develop players and stay long term at great salaries.
     
  28. majorwhiteapples

    majorwhiteapples 5,000+ Posts

    Whoever said the RB's coach did a good job this year knows absolutely nothing about college football. Watson and Robinson are the ones that go on the offensive side of the ball. Norvell and Wickline get demoted. Defensive side, the Secondary coach, DE coach and possibly Bedford. I am not sure how much is Bedford and how much is Strong. I probably would dump Bedford. Need a kicking and dedicated ST's coach, not to mention the player control coaches or whatever they are called these days. The S&C coach is the worst since the McWilliams era.....he has to go, a star RB tapping his helmet to come out, we can fix conditioning problems.......
     
  29. LAGA4

    LAGA4 500+ Posts

    What happened to the mindset of an assistant coach going to a school and doing a great job. Then if his head coach gets fired other schools are lining up to hire him (see Jeff Traylor).

    Just a thought.
     
  30. Mr. Fiesta

    Mr. Fiesta 1,000+ Posts

    Bedford needs to give up his secondary coach duties. Game after game, the middle of the field is wide open for 10-15 yard passes. What you saw in the Notre Dame game with all the middle of the field completions, you have seen in every game since (except maybe ou).
     
    • Like Like x 1

Share This Page