Look people, I know we were all clamoring for Nick Saban a few weeks ago. And in the last 24 hours we have learned that Mr. Strong is going to be our head coach. Disappointed? Initially, but there are some serious things to be excited about. One, Strong has been a MAJOR part of two national championships, and has made Louisville a viable program with a soon to be top 5 pick at Quarterback. He's a no nonsense, defensive coach, who despises the media, who can also recruit his *** off. Sound familiar? It should, because the exact same could be said about Nick. The similarities don't stop there. At 49, Nick finally got his platform to win big at LSU (won it all at 52), and now is at alabama. At 52, Texas represents Strong's platform to finally win big. The difference between the two as I see it? Loyalty. As great as Saban is, he just isn't considered loyal. The way he went to alabama, wont be forgotten anytime soon. Strong is so loyal that he didn't want to accept the position until he spoke to his bosses. That screams class. Recruits will love it. Fans will too. While he isn't Nick, he's the closest to Nick of any candidate we were considering. Hang tight boys....We're about to tare **** up. Hook em!
Why Nicky? I would love to just post the Hookem sign like every else but for some reason it is a little off to me to call him Nicky like he is the neighbor kid that is stealing your newspaper. If we hired him would you call him Nicky? I agree with the OP for the most part, but forgive me, just like to show respect when feel it's warranted.
Some other things: Texas won't play soft. Those days are gone. Long gone. We may not get all the Ws for awhile, but we're going to push people back, hard, playing gritty football with young men that are tough. We haven't really had that, as a team (individual players, yes), since the days of Fred Akers. And we'll do it without cussing (Strong doesn't drink, either). We're going to get a HC that can develop talent. I think it remains to be seen how good of a recruiter CS is, but I think it's clear he can identify talent and coach them up. We're going to get a guy that cares about his players every bit as much as Mack Brown does, maybe even moreso, if that is possible. Strong graduated something like 92 out of 97 players, or some wild percentage like that. We'll get some players that can't hack the academics, of course, but it won't be for lack of going to class. Strong highly values education, and has two Masters to prove it. The only thing we don't know is if Strong can get us into the playoffs and win a NC. Of course that is the biggest test, and the most important test. It's one we're all waiting to find out the result.
Strong wasn't my first choice, but I have to admit that I like him as much, or more than the other coaches rumored to above him on the list. If there ever was a list.
similarities are more in line with Muschamp. Muschamp succeeded everywhere as a DC. Muschamp was DC at LSU from 01-04 While Strong was DC at South Carolina from 99-01. Muschamp then had a solid run as DC at Auburn and Texas for 5 years. While Strong was DC at Florida from 02-08. a 6 year run. Overall, they both significantly improved the D they coached for at every stop. Muschamp won one MNC under Saban and played for another under Mack. Strong won two MNC under Meyer. Both are no-nonsense great recruiters who are not offensive minded AT ALL and who aren't exactly media-savvy. We run the risk of having a Florida situation on our hands if we hire the wrong OC or have the wrong offensive philosophy. Just look at Florida.
You can see the problem with the Muschamp analogy. Muschamp had no HC track record prior to UF. Strong does. UF took a flyer on a coordinator with no HC-ing track record. Strong's track record is there, he did have ok offenses over the past several years at UL, with an upward trajectory. Muschamp had the one great year, got beat by Strong, and promptly flamed out. OTOH, if Strong turns out like Muschamp, then Texas will hopefully discard him and move on. I say "hopefully" because Florida kept Muschamp at the end of this year when he should have been terminated (IMO).
XOver... Not saying that he'll struggle here like Muschamp did. Not saying that at all. I'm just saying they have similar defensive acumen and accolades. Strong would be wise to learn from Muschamps mistakes and be sure to hire a better more fitting OC. I have no doubt that we will be a perennial top 15 defense from now on. Won't make a bit of difference if we have Florida-esque offense though. If you watched Louisville play this year...painful. Could barely score 24 against the likes of Houston and Memphis. In 2011... his second year at Louisville. The D was 23rd overall but the O was 103rd. IN 2010... his first year there. 71st in total O and 14th in total D. Let me say it again.... his success will be whether he can hire competent offensive minded coaches. He has proven success and tons of skins on the wall when it comes to the Defense.
Just found the 2012 and 2013 stats... so I"ll post them here. Overall offense in 2012 was ranked 51st nationally. 28th in 2013. For perspective.... Texas was ranked 40th in 2012 and 66th in 2013. I humbly opine that we didn't get rid of Mack to have more mediocre years of offense. PLEASE NO WATSON.
I'll admit Saban was intriguing but my friends can attest that I was very leery that Saban would work out here if he came.
