Truth is this team has been pedestrian for over a decade. The 10+ win seasons (think the Globetrotters - who did we really play) appeased the masses and, of course, the championship (Thank VY) bought Mack relief. Under Mack Brown, I have noted: we never are ready to play; if we get it going, its always the second half; we've always underperformed relative to our recruiting rankings; we rarely make in game adjustments; we never develop back-ups leading to transfers and ill-prepared players if they end up playing bc of injury; we misuse personnel; if we bring in a talented coordinator, we sign them to some goofy co-head coach/coach in waiting contract that never works out; we think we're too good for the SEC, yet play in a conference where 6 of the teams are horrible; Longhorn Network; we refuse to recruit nationally; we recruit only those players that commit first; and, when the game is over, MB goes into politician mode to appease the sunshine pumpers. Point - although last night opened eyes; we have been bad for a long time and have systems in place that insure we remain mediocre for the future. Makes for a sad, frustrating and embarrassing state for a program that IS The STATE of TEXAS' University!
After last season's defensive explosion, I thought there was nowhere to possibly go but up. I neglected to believe that there's a farther bottom than can be imagined. That's where this program is now I don't think we can truly expect to see more than 2-3 more wins this season. 2-7 in a lackluster conference is a very believable outcome
Holden, I'm as frustrated as you are about the current state of the program, but let's not rewrite history. Texas had a 10-year run that was one of the best any program in the country has had in recent memory. We averaged about 10 wins a year, won a title, and probably would have won another if not for a freak hit. We were also a couple of plays from playing for 2 more titles. It wasn't perfect, but ask any fan of any school (other than maybe Alabama) if they would take that decade and I think 99% of them would. It was a good run. Of course we are now far from that and the question is how do we get back to where we were. Maybe it's time for Mack to go, but please give him credit for the good years, as they were very good.
I've always liked Mack, but any coach who makes more than $5 million and finishes a season 5-7 and follows that with 8-5 and 9-4 season records, isn't doing enough to keep his job. This season is likely to be worse than last year's finish. With all the reported talent the UT football team is supposed to have, Mack clearly isn't getting the performance or production he should be getting from his players. I think the time has come for Mack to go. (I felt the same way after the 2010 season but was in the minority.)
This is Mack's 16th season, he has amassed: 10 - 10 win seasons 2 - Conference championships (played for 4) 4 - BCS bowls, (Rose, Rose, Fiesta and BCS NCG) 1 Nat Champ (Played for 2) With all of the talent we've had and squandered, I would have expected in 16 years we would have had more conference championships and BCS Bowl appearances
The 6-9 record against OU and the 2-7 record against KSU tend to keep those conference championships to a minimum.
Colt, Quan, and Shipley disguised the tree rot eating at the program. Once they were gone, we realized the emperor had no clothes. I know, I know, mixed metaphors.
Over the last 10 years: Multiple top 5 recruiting classes and skill players ranked in the top 3 nationally at their respective positions, top paid coaches in the land, top facilities and more money than any other program = only 2 conference championships (w/ 1 being tied to the Nat Championship year) and a losing record against OU w/ the worst losses ever and/or losing records to teams like OU, UCLA, KSU, the statistically worst defense in UT history - underdeveloped potential + declining ranked recruiting classes acknowledged by a major shift in recruiting philosophy, this years non-sellout stadium, revolving coordinator door, hiring unproven legacy coaches, etc. Math done. Kids aren't flocking to UT in droves - we lose recruits to other teams we historically would have never had to compete with. These issues are the canary in the coal mine, yet...somehow the "We're Texas" is championed while the house of cards crumbles.
Two conference championships in 16 years and one of those was our 2005 national championship year. That's so pathetic it's funny, given the talent at UT. Then there's that blown conference championship against Colorado, where all we had to do was defeat Colorado (a 41-7 loser to Texas that year) to get in the national championship game against Miami. Simms had four turnovers before halftime, but Mack waits until Simms hurts his finger before substituting Applewhite. And now we have Mack's "work-in-progress", now going on 3+ years now. I don't see any light at the end of this tunnel.
For the next few months expect Mack to circle his PR wagons. That's all he's good for. We are good at hype and spin. Mack could unleash a howitzer on Kirk Bohls for all I care. We suck at football and we have for a long time, and that won't change until Mack moves along.
