Couldn't have asked for a better resolution to all of this. I wonder if Mack was able to finish his question before Akina said YES!
shakesperian tragedy ends up being a bittersweet comedy...Alls well that ends well.....maybe akina went to mack saying he had offer for dc at zona...mack overeacts hires grey...akina left in the lurch stoopid reneges....apples and oranges with titan offer...happy valentines day....
I hope this makes the recruits happy. They've gotta be wondering what the heck is going on at UT. On another note: Everyone has a pet peeve, right? Well I happen to have a degree in English, and writing is something I like to both do and read. But there are a few things that set off clanging in my head when I see them in print. As my moniker implies, I am an old fart, and one of those things is the complete failure to even attempt punctuation. I know, the world is changing, and I am in fact getting used to this, and can actually understand it a little bit in the context of texting. I know it's a pain to punctuate on an Iphone. But there are some common grammatical mistakes I can't understand, and that drive me nuts. One of them is the misuse of the two word term "a lot" as a single word, "alot." I don't get it; how can anyone think that is one word? I don't mean to be calling anyone out in particular on this; there are several posters on this board that do it consistently, and I'm just hoping that this reaches a few of them and I have to see it a little less often. OK, rant over. Flame away.
bystander, I agree completely, since Stoops did not keep his word, it is understandable Akina would want to come back. Glad you see the difference between Duane's situation and Jerry Gray leaving for greener (as in $$$ green) pastures after professing to want nothing more than to returning to coach at his alma mater just a few weeks ago. I understand Jerry got a LOT more money in Nashville, and it is understandable why he left. That doesn't change the fact that the reasons he gave for coming in January, were quickly forgotten in February. Not so much for Akina.
Great news indeed. Coach pack your bags quickly and get back to Texas. See what happens everyone when you stay focused?!
Instead of "The Bronx is Burning" miniseries, the new Longhorn Network should have one called "Bellmont is Burning" chronicling the past year.
This is the best possible news. Now, if we can just have some stability with the staff for at least the next eleven months, or so, that would be great.
Burton posed a good question on 247: What does all of this say about Mack Brown? First, Akina leaves for a gig when he probably really didn't want to; Mack hires Gray, who promptly jumps ship; and Akina is suddenly back in the fold at his old position and all is well with the world. I'd love to hear the back story on all this. Sounds like the makings of a good "reality" show (as much as I despise those things).
TAP THE BRAKES Rex and Yo Da LU Don't burn bridges please. If someday Jerry wants a shot at Texas and it works for both sides then by all means don't go and say "you only get to tango with me once." Things worked out great. Jerry kept those precious secondary recruits from bailing. He served UT in a big way even if he did not land here permantly this time. And we got Akina back. Thats what matters. I can hear "Kumbaya" or is it 'Cumbaya" playing in the background. Oh and yes its Valantines day. Tell your sweetie you love her and enjoy the fact we don't have to worry about our secondary getting torched next season.
It sounds like the housing market in Austin is really depressed or his wife said, "Duane, get yourself an apartment in the desert because I'm staying in the oasis that is Austin!".
I read some where that the Gig in Arizona was originally DC with emphasis on DB's but then when he got there the DC part disappeared. Gray was already on his way in and was kind of to late to turn back when Akina was no longer happy with the offer and wanted to return. Who knows what the true story to any of his coaching carousel really is. I just hope its finally over.
i thought he left for family reasons. now he's coming back for family reasons ? found out he didn't like his mother in law as much as he thought?
Bystander, There's more to it than just Stoops backing out of his original offer, it was the fact that Akina's brother, who has since died, was sick and Duane was looking to move closer to him which was largely the reason why Akina was looking to go back west. However, in the following weeks, before it was announced that he was leaving, not only did Stoops renege on his initial offer (after Akina had told Mack he was leaving), but his brother died as well. So in essence, the very circumstances for why Akina was to leave in the first place had changed significantly. By this time however, Mack had already hired Gray, and so Akina had no other choice but to make a lateral-move back to Tucson, to work for Stoops (which should speak volumes about the suckage of that move). That's what Rex and YDL are getting at when other's are trying to compare Gray's decision with Akina's. Without knowing the facts they look the same, but essentially are very different. At least as the story goes.
Im glad Akina is back, but seriously, this whole thing is stupid. These are grown men. Make up your minds and stick with it. Quit running around saying yes, yes, yes, and then no, no, no. Commit and stick. End of discussion. Unless there is a serious breach of contract, you gotta be a man about these things. Think before you bolt. This goes for both men. What the heck are recruits and players suppose to think?
