I think we have allotted enough space in this thread to grammatical smack. Maybe we could name our defense the revolving door defense. Good to have Akina back, I think he was always regarded as one of the best position coaches. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener. That could be what Gray and Akina found out.
He's coming back to assist in completing UT's early recruiting, which won't take long. Then Akina's off to the NFL to be db coach for the Titans.
I don't understand why Gray is considered to have left only for money, when he was offered much more money that Texas just to stay at the Seahawks. A DC in the NFL compared to a secondary coach in college???? Some people really love to *****.
OK, now that we have argued over grammar and ethics, I would like to say that I love Akina's passion for the game and appreciate what he has done for the Horns. However, I have not been terribly impressed with the performance of our DBs, in general, for several years. We usually have one shutdown type of CB but our other CBs and Safeties have been just fair as a group in my opinion. How much of that was due to other factors (having to support the run more, poor talent evaluation, poor effort, poor schemes, poor development), I do not know. I hope some of these factors will improve as a result of other changes to the staff and team and Akina puts an intimidating defensive backfield on the field. Someone also mentioned how great it would be to have Akina involved with Special Teams. I was also looking for improvement in this area. I don't believe Akina was in charge of all Special Teams though he did have more responsibility in this area about 5 years ago if I remember correctly. I think he had the punt returns for awhile and the resulting punt blocks were awesome. I don't know that he had the personnel available to him that he needed to field a special punt return team. Punt returns were not great. Punt coverage was not great. Kickoff returns and kickoff coverage have not been consistently good for quite some time. There is a lot of room for improvement in these areas.
HousHorn09: I had no intention of getting into an argument or discussion about this, but your post makes me wonder if you are being defensive because you are one who thought it was one word, or if you just have extremely bad reading comprehension. There was no attack on anyone. There was no attempt to win an argument or argue a point at all. As I stated, there are some things that make my head hurt when I see them (I'll bet you've got some of those too, but they are probably not related to grammar), and all I was trying to do was point this one out so maybe a few people would learn that they are using "alot" incorrectly and stop. In other words, though I agree that the Urban Dictionary Grammar Nazi definition has some merit, it doesn't apply here. That definition says or implies that a "grammar nazi" is probably a small person whose objective is to belitte others to make himself feel better. Your attempt to apply that to my post suggests you should look inward. alt875: Once again, to much 2 read. But, as I said, I like to write and read.
I never bashed Akina for leaving. Even though he left for a lateral position, and about the same, or less pay. I never bashed Gray for leaving. He got a big promotion, DC, over a position coach here. Plus, his salery tripled. I have no problem with his decision. I hope that the secondary play improves this year over last. The safety play last year was less than stellar. I don't know why that was the case. don't know if Akina couldn't make the adjustments needed, or if the talent just wasn't there. Just saying that I really hope the secondary makes improvements this year. And the same coach will be in charge. We shall see.
I don't know about a "huge difference" between Akina and Gray, or even what that means to be honest. *edit* Ah, I now assume you are talking about a "huge difference" between the circumstances of their respective departures, not their coaching abilities. I guess I was too focused on the grammar to fully comprehend your meaning - if that is indeed what you actually meant. What I have heard about Akina's situation in Arizona is that when the DC job there was yanked, he contacted Mack and wanted to stay here, but the Gray deal was already done. I guess he could have turned Stoops down and eventually gotten a gig somewhere, but I certainly don't fault him for accepting the lesser position there.
That was my understanding of the events between Akina & Arizona. And, even if Akina did take an Arizona DB job as a consolation to the offered DC position, that still seems different than the Gray/UT situation. If I am incorrect, and the situations with Gray and Akina are virtually alike, then your questioning Akina would be valid.
When this all began I wanted Mack, Applewhite, and Akina all to be here. And I was unhappy Akina left but understood he wanted to be a college DC and had family concerns mixed in there. And word is he got screwed. I knew we lost a good coach, a great recruiter, and a guy kids wanted to play for. And now we have all 3 of those guys and all the new guys with them. How we got here is over. We are now full force and the full staff could not have been better in my eyes. Let's do this, Horns!!!
I agree. I feel supremely confident in our staff now from top to bottom and I have to admit, that hasn't always been the case.
manic deprisive passive agressive roller coaster ride of a football off season.....do they make drugs for this?
@Txpride - thanks for taking the time to explain the situation (assuming it is true). This raises another point: The players not only DON'T get paid (and have to read about the university being "The Jones'") but they also remain stuck watching all the movement and are unable to change their decision once they've signed. I guess it just means you better know where you want your degree from and don't worry about the coaching staff....
For those wanting to know if I'm willing to criticize Akina the way Gray's been criticized for jumping jobs?...uh, no...and I'm perfectly happy to be a hypocrite. I'm a UT fan, and this is the best possible outcome for the Horns. Welcome home...hope you enjoyed at least part of your Arizona vacation. I believe that any chance you get to screw over a Stoops, any Stoops, you should do so enthusiastically.
I too am glad to have Akina back. Plus, I strongly believe Stoops will be fired after what will be another very mediocre season in 2011. He is a horrible head coach (but a darn good assistant). Akina would have been adrift this time next year.
I am one who was not keen on Akina coming back for no other reason than he had chosen he did not want to be here. I did not and do not know the entire story, how it went down or what was said behind closed doors away from super secret Santa sources. I just know he did not want to be here and left. We had to go get another guy. That said, I have always liked Akina and even when he was responsible for ST's. Why they stopped having him do them I don't know. Every recruit we have is signed on because he was their coach in waiting. They stayed put with Gray but seem stoked Duane is back. That and Mack being okay with it sits well with me. He is an energetic coach whose resume speaks volumes for itself. All things said I am glad he is back as I could not think of any sensible replacements at this time and there should be a calm across the land of Burnt Orange. We know how Quandre feels about it!
manic deprisive passive agressive roller coaster ride of a football off season.....do they make drugs for this? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- They don't make drugs that good.
