Here is Inside Texas on the WR/DB hires --
DB vs WR
Hiring Jay Valai and Andre Coleman didn't necessarily excite fans. Not that it matters, but those could prove to be very good hires despite lack of fanfare.
I've shared some glowing comments on the new DB and recently received some more. He's already been recruiting via phone calls. Theadis Reagins, the defensive back coach at North Shore who was previously at Lamar, had this to say after I asked him what makes him say Coach Valai is a good pick up: "He's a Texas guy. He will bring energy and good technical teaching. I saw his work in person when he was GA at UGA."
Reagins had a good relationship with Coach Washington but will likely build the same with Valai, especially as the new coach recruits stud corner Denver Harris for the 2022 class. Valai has already taken the first steps towards that end. If he can pick up where Washington left off, Quinn Ewers won't be the only five-star Texas is in good position for in that class.
Throughout the season I heard some criticisms of Drew Mehringer's coaching of wide receivers. What I heard was so bad it was hard to believe, effectively, he didn't teach the receivers how to beat press coverage. Not that he tried and couldn't get his teaching across....he didn't teach it at all. He would tell his big receivers to use their size and power advantage and that's it. Thinking back to Malcolm Epps' struggles getting off the line it all makes sense. I'm shook.
When the discussion turns to players not being developed, this is a prime example. I had this information confirmed this week as I received positive news on Coleman. With Mehringer they just worked on routes, and not very good ones, and drills they didn't seem to benefit from. Coleman immediately went to work on getting a good release and they saw immediate improvement.
Coleman's becoming a popular guy and should be a value add on the recruiting trail.
Fridays in the Humidor - 1/17/20 - Inside Texas