Body Language: Lets talk about it

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by LonghornCatholic, Nov 27, 2015.

  1. LonghornCatholic

    LonghornCatholic Deo Gratias

    One day I'm ready to fire everybody, and then the next I'm okay with a third year. I know good folks here go at it with each other and both sides make good points (most times), so I respect witch ever side of the argument you come from. I'm not a prolific poster to begin with, mostly a one-liner type of guy actually, but I've intentionally stopped posting as much as I normally do because I keep finding myself posting negative comments about our coach. Thats not really my style.

    BUT, here I go. You might find me weird but for several weeks my biggest concern about Coach Strong isn't the coaching, or lack of, but I've been troubled with his body language. I guess I want to see "hope" for the future in his style and demeanor. Instead, I see crossed arms, minimal facial expressions, head down, and very little enthusiasm. During the Tech game, a player (kicker) walked to the sidelines after a bad kick and gently patted Charlie on the shoulder as if to comfort him. I tried to picture a player doing that to Saban. I'm no body language expert by any means, so I ask, am I misreading Charlie? Should I care about body language?

    I guess even if we're losing and in midst of a terrible season, I want to see intensity on the sideline, enthusiasm, a purposeful and deliberate coach, animated. Charlie is still hauling in some good recruits, so I don't want to give up on hope, but unfortunately he doesn't exude hope or confidence right now, in my opinion anyway. I believe positive body language can impact players; just as negative or dull body language can harm players.

    Where am I wrong? Someone give me hope. Like Dion said on another thread, "its damn painful to watch". I just want this painful nightmare to be over. Please!
     
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  2. FWHORN

    FWHORN 10,000+ Posts

    After the game last night Charlie looked shell shocked and extremely sad. Seriously I thought he might break down right there during the eyes of Texas. It is clear that this season is killing him. His players really like him and they see what we see. Whatever side of the debate about a third year you fall on (I think he should get a third year) it is clear this season has taken its toll on him emotionally and he just looks spent.
     
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  3. Driver 8

    Driver 8 Amor Fati

    I think body language matters a lot. It's a form of communication, whether it is conscious or not. Young people pick up subtle clues from the behavior of their coaches, parents, mentors, teachers.
     
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  4. Wideawake

    Wideawake 100+ Posts

    If he were happy and clapping, I'm sure everyone would be complaining about that too. I remember when Mackovic was coach and everybody complained that he looked like he was ready to run a board meeting. As is often stated, winning cures all of this.

    Charlie strikes me as someone who is loyal to players and staff. It seems to me he hired coaches that he felt comfortable with and who had produced for him in the past. It's got to be tough to not only be losing, but also facing decisions where he has to realize that people he likes to coach with are not producing the necessary wins.
     
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  5. JustWin

    JustWin 250+ Posts

    So you're saying that all those posters who criticized MB for the hand clapping are just wrong? And that's what got us multiple consecutive 10 win seasons ?
    Who knew it was that simple? [/sarcasm ]
     
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  6. Aspen1

    Aspen1 100+ Posts

    Did anyone else notice the 3 players, I think it was Boyd, Hill & Davis, while "The Eyes" was being played at the end of the game? Away from the rest of the players and trying to make eye contact with someone in the stands on the east side of the stadium. At least have a little respect for tradition.
     
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  7. WorsterMan

    WorsterMan SEC here we come!!

    I too think body language says a great deal about what is going through the mind of an individual and it does communicate to others in a positive or negative way. CS must feel a great deal of frustration, stress and turmoil with what he is experiencing and seeing on the field. I agree with what FWH said, I think this season is taking a terrible toll on him.
     
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  8. Mark Miller

    Mark Miller 25+ Posts

    Maybe this is Charlie's problem...

     
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  9. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Outside of the TCU and ISU games I believe Strong was comfortable with the effort put forward in the game by the players. He should be fully aware of the effort during the week was not what it should have been which is why he keeps say that the staff "needs to coach better." Fact is I am not sure all of the Freshmen were prepared to play (by their lack of effort during the week) but had to play anyway.

    Next Sunday will be a threshold day for the Texas football program. Strong knows that if he stays the entire staff (save Traylor) will have to go including the S&C staff (too many muscle injuries). (Traylor stays because Strong should now realize letting Applewhite go was a mistake for recruiting, and hopefully he will not make the same mistake twice.) Otherwise as FW correctly stated he knows he is going to have to tell a lot of people that he trusted good-bye. If he cannot do what everyone knows is necessary he will negotiate a deal and move onto Miami. If he man's up he will probably get another two years.
     
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  10. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    LC, your post is insightful, and perhaps instructive. Body language speaks volumes. Even those who criticized Mack Brown, like yours truly, will concede that his demeanor -- on the sideline and after the game -- was full of positivity. The best coaches -- like Saban, Harbough, Meyer, and many others -- project confidence, and demand excellence.

    Like many, I sympathize with the apparent pain that Strong is suffering. To me, he seems like a lost soul. He sees the dam breaking but is powerless to stop the onslaught. Frankly, and this is not meant to be insensitive or critical, but he often seems like a deer in the headlights.

    Most successful teams project the nature and confidence of their head coach, just as -- in my experience -- an organization's culture and ethical compass reflects the personality of the top guy (or gal). Give me an organization controlled by a narcissistic egomaniac and I'll show you an company full of back stabbing ladder climbers. Conversely, give me a company run with humility and, more times that not, I'll show you a company that is doing well and that has a happy, cooperative workforce. But, I digress.

    My sense is that Strong is clueless* (*an objective, not a perjorative term when used here) and bewildered. He has the look of a man who is now second-guessing everything, including his coaching acuity, his staff selection, his decision to take the Texas job, to uproot and move his family to Austin, everything. The pain we are witnessing is not enjoyable, even for those of us who sincerely believe that a change must be made.

    Strong is a very good man. If he doesn't succeed here, I believe that most of us hope he will succeed elsewhere, perhaps at UCF, Miami, SC or somewhere else. He deserves it.
     
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  11. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Well said.

    Yup.
     
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  12. beer_dog

    beer_dog 100+ Posts

    I guess Saban would look clueless with two wide receivers playing quarterback.
     
  13. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    Beer, assuming for the sake of argument that I agree with your assessment -- that we have two wide receivers playing quaterback, whose fault is that? Strong brought Watson, and both Strong and Watson nixed consideration of the Juco options. (The Aggies didn't, by the way, even with two 5 stars QBs in the fold!) So your premise, if correct (and I believe it is not) represents another indictment of this coaching staff.
     
  14. theiioftx

    theiioftx Sponsor Deputy

    I think CS simply does not have enough experience and is not qualified for the head coaching position at Texas or any other MAJOR program. The decision making for assistants, game preparation, media interaction and situational play calling are all deficient.

    The call last night perfectly demonstrates his ability to be successful. How in the heck do you make a call for a long pass from a QB that has not thrown long passes successfully to a receiver with a propensity of dropping passes that hit him in the chest/hands? This all against a team that cannot stop the run.

    CS might still have limited support, but it is quickly fading. While I realize the weather, teams and holiday substantially effected attendance, there were noticeable blocks of seats totally empty. This gets the attention of even an interim AD.

    The assistants hired by CS are on him. These assistants seem to have no clue. I see no development in some key players and units. At times last night, the defense was in no position to remotely stop a play. The trick play was well performed, but the defense was not even ready for the snap when it occurred.

    This team rarely benefits from a missed call and often is victimized by bad calls. The penalty for the OL being downfield was simply a bad call. That is not CS fault, but is it a lack of disrespect for how this team plays? The coaching staff?

    The performance by the team was admirable though given all of the injuries. Warren was outstanding against a weak defense.

    A coach that develops a declining number of wins year over year with blow out losses, shutouts and losses to teams it should beat warrants termination. Like him or not, the facts do not point towards long term success.
     
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  15. BevoJoe

    BevoJoe 10,000+ Posts

    Right now, I am neutral about whether to keep CS or let him go. There are pros and con for each. I have noticed that the best effort on the field comes from primarily the true and RS Frosh, and some Sophs. I don't see that much Jr or Sr leaders, good players or top effort, with the exception of a couple.

    Who ever comes in, it will still most likely take 2 or 3 seasons to get back to some sort of relevance.

    If CS stays, there should be some stipulations attached such as replace the DC and perhaps the OC and bring in position coaches that are top in their area and can recruit. If he isn't willing to do so, then it may be time to part ways. And, that should happen within a couple of days post 12/05. What ever happens this is not going to be an overnight metamorphosis.
     
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  16. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    True but it's also a very malleable form of communication that anybody can interpret to mean anything. Usually the interpretation isn't really based on the body language, but on the result on the field. Pretty much every losing team things their coaches press conferences suck and body language sucks and demeanor sucks and attitude sucks and confidence sucks. Then, if he starts winning, all those things no longer suck and have been fixed, even if they are actually unchanged.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 27, 2015
  17. 22Horn

    22Horn 500+ Posts

    I am in agreement with LhC. His body languages and his verbal communication does not project confidence in what he is saying or doing. That would partly be the result of the vast injuries, the lack of overall depth and I believe lack of confidence in many of the staff....maybe even what he perceives to be the thoughts and actions of a very powerful fan base.

    I too have waffled back and forth about a 3rd year for him. Right now I believe he should be given a 3rd year to really be able to utilize the players he has recruited. For the most part they (some exceptions) seem to be the ones who have been the most productive on both sides of the ball. As pointed out earlier, the productive players are mostly true freshmen, RS freshmen or true sophomores. Time will tell!

    Either way, the decision to trust him for a 3rd year or move on, will require patience on the part of everyone....coaches, admin, players and fans.

    ....side thought....Texas, with all it's resources, should never be in it's present position of coaches, players, rankings, or sub-par record. Having back to back losing records...!!??
     
  18. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    On this we should all be in agreement.
     
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  19. crizistre

    crizistre 500+ Posts

    I noticed his body language too so I'm glad I wasn't the only one. He appears to be completely clueless, so eerily reminiscent of he spaced out looks of David McWilliams 25 years ago.

    Does anyone REALLY believe that CS will bring Texas back to the promised land? Is CS on the same stage as Meyer, Harbaugh, Saban, or Caroll? Give me a break. He's no where close to that league.
     
  20. car54

    car54 1,000+ Posts

    If this is the belief of the powers that be, then it is time to cut bait. Why waste any more time and allow the hole to crawl out of to be dug deeper than it is.?????
    Depends on what promised land is defined as.....If 8 or 9 win seasons is what they want, then Charlie may be the guy or should have kept Mack....... If they want 11-1 or 12-0 seasons they better go find someone else.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 27, 2015
  21. Vol Horn 4 Life

    Vol Horn 4 Life Good Bye To All The Rest!

    You have no clue do you? We dont want a "good job clapping coach" nor a "defeated slumping coach" when the team is clearly not playing well at all. Both are wrong.

    We want a coach who will maintain intensity with confidence from start to finish no matter how bad or GOOD the game is going, understands what needs to happen at the right times on the field and off and can complete a sentence or two in a tough or good situation presser so we all understand whats going on.

    Are those expectations too high? I think not.
     
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  22. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    You don't want any coach when the team is clearly not playing well at all. You want a coach who gets the clearly team playing well.
     
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  23. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    Here's a major concern that I have: Texas grants Strong the 3rd year and he delivers a record of 8-5 or 9-4... Counterintuitive, right? In other words, "Dukesteer, what in the world are you thinking?"

    My perspective is that with the returing talent (the excellent frosh class) and the QB position solidifying -- with Heard improving, Locksley available, and Buechele enrolling in January -- virtually "any" qualified HC should be able to deliver eight or nine wins in 2016. Yes, I do believe that.

    Given that perspective, why shouldn't Strong be given the chance to cash in on his 2015 class, you ask? While I really like the guy personally (yes, I really do), I simply don't believe that CS is the long term solution and if we don't make a change after this season we could see the program be competitive for years, but unable to compete at the highest level. Of course, I would be happy to be wrong...

    So, while I do believe that the on-field performance will improve next year (heck, could it get any worse?), I just don't think that Strong is the long term solution.
     
  24. bmbb

    bmbb < 25 Posts

    Great thread by LC and comments by all.


    Perhaps they like him too much and do they respect his coaching decisions/ability ?

    The same could be said of the coaching staff. In the Ok St game when he received the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, I was disappointed that an assistant coach did not step between him and the official to prevent the flag. You see that most often when the head coach vehemently argues with an official.

    In the future, I hope someone writes an accurate account of the 2014 season detailing the coaching transition, suspensions, etc from the player's perspective.

    I am disappointed that Bianco or someone has not "coached" him better on conducting interviews and press conferences. At times with his head down and lack of eye contact, it is reminiscent of a petulant child.
     
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  25. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    bmbb, some people simply don't possess this skill set. While it doesn't make them bad people or poor coaches, it does impede their ability to communicate. At a program like Texas, that can be an issue. With success on the field, it wouldn't be much of an issue.
     
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  26. 22Horn

    22Horn 500+ Posts

    Do the players see his lack of confidence as much as the fans seem to...as a parent I want my kid to play for someone who not only demands effort, exemplary character etc but one who exudes confidence.

    Maybe, his personality is just not a good fit for Texas but may be a better fit at a school that does not have such a high profile...
     
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  27. LtSwtCrude

    LtSwtCrude Guest

    Hate to say it but that describes Bob Stoops.
    And why they have multiple conference titles no matter what happens in Dallas.

    H4Life just expressed a synopsis summary distillation of my exact thoughts on a head coach. Been trying to spell all that out in many un-posted drafts that never got it that definite and to the point.
     
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  28. pluckeye

    pluckeye 250+ Posts

    I frankly think body language is HUUUUUGH (bad D Trump joke). It speaks volumes. We humans are attuned to it, but most don't think about it. It's innate. Invisible. Subconscious. But it speaks volumes.

    Dogs, and many animals, without sophisticated verbal language, use it to survive.

    I frankly think it's more trustworthy than any words that come out of people's mouths.

    Watch that body language, if you have the ability to discern. That will tell you what is really going on in situations like this.

    I wish Strong the best. I pretty much, publicly at least, support whoever is in charge. I'm Mr. Positivity; that's how I roll...
     
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  29. 4th_floor

    4th_floor Dude, where's my laptop?

    It's not that he is not qualified. He has the qualifications. He's just not producing acceptable results. Termination is certainly warranted based on results alone.
     
  30. 4th_floor

    4th_floor Dude, where's my laptop?

    I remember McWilliams always looked like he needed to "go potty" during his last year. Charlie looks like he wants to disappear. It's hard to be a leader when you feel under siege. I don't think this is a salvageable situation. Sorry Charlie.
     

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