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Mack's Biggest Mistake?

  • I've been thinking about the state of Texas football a lot this weekend, trying to figure out how we got here from 2005. There have been a few moments that I keep coming back to as times when I could have seen the downward trajectory of our program but didn't. I wanted to list these moments/decisions, but I'd like to hear this board's thoughts as well on what y'all think has been Mack's biggest mistake with the program since winning the NC.

    1. The abrupt transition to a "power" run game in 2010. If you're going to move an offense from a spread passing game to a more traditional run/play action style, that should be done over time, first addressing the recruiting needs then gradually evolving into what you want. I think this played a large role in our offensive ineptitude in 2010, leaving us with where we are today.

    2. Naming a HCIW without a specific timeline. If Mack didnt have a clear vision for handing over the reins, then he never should have named a HCIW. It creates uncertainty within your staff/team as to who is in charge. Then you're constantly battling "retirement" rumors for the rest of your career, especially on the recruiting trail. This uncertainty within the program and it's perception have been problematic since 2009.

    3. "Selecting rather than recruiting.". I heard Mack make this comment soon after the 06 Rose Bowl, about how they were having to do a better job of "selecting" recruits rather than sell them on the program. It sounded great to me at the time, but looking back I've realized that I should have seen this as the first sign of Mack and his staff's complacency. Now that comment really annoys me and I think it's probably the biggest mistake he's made since 2005. He never truly cashed in on the recruiting opportunity he had after finally reaching the pinnacle.

    Thoughts?

    This post was edited by ophorn on 11/25/2012 at 3:18 PM

    ophorn ●

  • He put the program on cruise control after winning the MNC. He got lazy and allowed his assistants to get lazy on the recruiting trail.

    IMO if he had strong offensive and defensive lines it wouldn't matter what system Texas is running. Pick a system and recruit to it and stick to it. Whether a spread attack, dual threat QB spread attack or the Boise state offense.

    Hookem89

  • Not remembering what got one to the highest level normally, and walking away from that, ends up being the punch to the lower part of the body IMO.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton

  • Mack not retiring in Jan 2009 was his biggest mistake

    mcb0703 ●

  • ophorn said...

    I've been thinking about the state of Texas football a lot this weekend, trying to figure out how we got here from 2005. There have been a few moments that I keep coming back to as times when I could have seen the downward trajectory of our program but didn't. I wanted to list these moments/decisions, but I'd like to hear this board's thoughts as well on what y'all think has been Mack's biggest mistake with the program since winning the NC.

    1. The abrupt transition to a "power" run game in 2010. If you're going to move an offense from a spread passing game to a more traditional run/play action style, that should be done over time, first addressing the recruiting needs then gradually evolving into what you want. I think this played a large role in our offensive ineptitude in 2010, leaving us with where we are today.

    2. Naming a HCIW without a specific timeline. If Mack didnt have a clear vision for handing over the reins, then he never should have named a HCIW. It creates uncertainty within your staff/team as to who is in charge. Then you're constantly battling "retirement" rumors for the rest of your career, especially on the recruiting trail. This uncertainty within the program and it's perception have been problematic since 2009.

    3. "Selecting rather than recruiting.". I heard Mack make this comment soon after the 06 Rose Bowl, about how they were having to do a better job of "selecting" recruits rather than sell them on the program. It sounded great to me at the time, but looking back I've realized that I should have seen this as the first sign of Mack and his staff's complacency. Now that comment really annoys me and I think it's probably the biggest mistake he's made since 2005. He never truly cashed in on the recruiting opportunity he had after finally reaching the pinnacle.

    Thoughts?

    To me looking back, it is offering our recruits a year in advance. We stopped evaluating and started looking at the star ratings.

    CelinaHorn

  • Gerry Hamilton said...

    Not remembering what got one to the highest level normally, and walking away from that, ends up being the punch to the lower part of the body IMO.

    Wow - you hit it on the head! The Horns dominated in the spread and that's where the game is today!

    Alabama, LSU and Florida would all lose a game or two each season in the Big 12. Our backs would dominant in the spread and it helps your O-line out tremendously!

    Look at Applewhite and Wyatt's background ~ they both cut their teeth in the spread!

    Gojjee

  • Texas had a pretty good run from 2006-2009, going 25-2 during the last two of those years, winning a BCS game and playing for a BCS title. By then, the mistakes that have manifested themselves since had already been made. The 2010 roster was devoid of difference makers at every offensive position--QB, RB, OL, TE, WR. The decline of the defense was lagging behind that timetable, and became most noticeable this year. In both cases, even the old staff had recognized the problem and had begun to recruit better talent, starting with the 2010 class. Most of the current issues, at least from a personnel standpoint, is waiting for all these young players to hit their stride on the field. Just as the decline was not yet noticeable in 2009, the improvements are not yet fully noticeable in 2011. The trend is favorable, but slower than we would like.

    texaztom

  • Vince, McCoy, Griffin, Manziel.

    Let that sink in, as that could and should have been the QB progression at Texas.

    NLeininger

  • Gerry Hamilton said...

    Not remembering what got one to the highest level normally, and walking away from that, ends up being the punch to the lower part of the body IMO.

    Totally agree Gerry!

    HOTSCOLLAR

  • Gerry Hamilton said...

    Not remembering what got one to the highest level normally, and walking away from that, ends up being the punch to the lower part of the body IMO.

    Bingo....It happens in business and sports. If you forget the process that gets you the results it will eventually catch up with you. They began to expect the results without doing all of the things that produce them......

    Marshrat

  • Marshrat said...

    Bingo....It happens in business and sports. If you forget the process that gets you the results it will eventually catch up with you. They began to expect the results without doing all of the things that produce them......

    If Texas recruits and signs Griffin or Luck (rather than GG) Texas would be better in 2010, 2011 and 2012 but remember Mack career......................he never won conference championships before coming to Texas and even with Vince and Colt won only 2 at Texas. In addition his record vs rival games (at UNC vs FSU and Texas vs OU) is just terrible. In reality Mack Brown is an above average PR man and an average football coach. The fact he won a BCS Championship is really a minor miracle. The rest of his career is just above average.............

    "Leadership is wisdom, courage and great carelessness of self"

    austinr

  • Being born? Is this a trick question?

    VaHorn

  • austinr said...

    If Texas recruits and signs Griffin or Luck (rather than GG) Texas would be better in 2010, 2011 and 2012 but remember Mack career......................he never won conference championships before coming to Texas and even with Vince and Colt won only 2 at Texas. In addition his record vs rival games (at UNC vs FSU and Texas vs OU) is just terrible. In reality Mack Brown is an above average PR man and an average football coach. The fact he won a BCS Championship is really a minor miracle. The rest of his career is just above average.............

    Don't think you can include Luck in there. I've never seen nor read that Texas ever had a shot at Luck.

    Mack screwed the pooch when he decided he wanted a downhill, power football team right smack dab in the middle of a spread dominated state (and a big ass successful spread offense state). I knew when he started to force that change that we were in trouble. By far that was and is his worst decision at Texas.

    UTK66

  • VaHorn said...

    Being born? Is this a trick question?

    You know. The reckoning.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Bandit18 ●

  • UTK66 said...

    Don't think you can include Luck in there. I've never seen nor read that Texas ever had a shot at Luck.

    Mack screwed the pooch when he decided he wanted a downhill, power football team right smack dab in the middle of a spread dominated state (and a big ass successful spread offense state). I knew when he started to force that change that we were in trouble. By far that was and is his worst decision at Texas.

    Not trying with Luck is the problem. The reports are mixed if he would have considered Texas. Burton posted one time that Luck could have gone to any school he wanted except Texas. Think about that for a second.................in addition what if we tried and then just missed getting him? That happens all the time with all coaches and universities. Mack has a "fear of rejection" it seems. Remember his opening sentence on national signing day is always something like..........."we offered 26 and 25 signed".........who gives a $hit how many were offered?

    BTW we also missed on Andy Dalton and for the record we are better off without Johnny Football.............his off the field issues etc

    "Leadership is wisdom, courage and great carelessness of self"

    austinr

  • austinr said...

    Not trying with Luck is the problem. The reports are mixed if he would have considered Texas. Burton posted one time that Luck could have gone to any school he wanted except Texas. Think about that for a second.................in addition what if we tried and then just missed getting him? That happens all the time with all coaches and universities. Mack has a "fear of rejection" it seems. Remember his opening sentence on national signing day is always something like..........."we offered 26 and 25 signed".........who gives a $hit how many were offered?

    BTW we also missed on Andy Dalton and for the record we are better off without Johnny Football.............his off the field issues etc

    I agree with most of what you've written except...aggy doesn't seem to have any problems dealing with Manziel's off the field issues. We wouldn't have either. The UT spin department can run circles around aggy.

    rosessmellgreat

  • rosessmellgreat said...

    I agree with most of what you've written except...aggy doesn't seem to have any problems dealing with Manziel's off the field issues. We wouldn't have either. The UT spin department can run circles around aggy.

    I wasn't trying to imply we haven't experienced some issues (off the field) I do think Mack tried to recruit better character players in the last couple of years. From what we heard after several bad years of off the field issues it was reported President Powers told him that would stop...............but you are correct our spin machine is the best in the business.........

    "Leadership is wisdom, courage and great carelessness of self"

    austinr

  • mcb0703 said...

    Mack not retiring in Jan 2009 was his biggest mistake

    And not retiring after 2010 was his 2nd biggest mistake.

    PDX Horn ●

  • mcb0703 said...

    Mack not retiring in Jan 2009 was his biggest mistake

    Q.E.D.

    BEHorn

  • PDX Horn said...

    And not retiring after 2010 was his 2nd biggest mistake.

    If he does not retire after this season, will be his third biggest mistake... I have to agree that switching to a power run/ play action offense is one of his biggest mistakes. The spread offense gave him a NC, 2 CC and 3 BCS bowl wins.. Yet, it only took a Nick Saban lesson on coaching and Mack fell in love with the guy. He idolized him so much that he changed his offense to reflect that of Alabama's. Great RB and ok QB. He changed the way he recruited and forgot everything that gave him what he accomplished.. Now, look at him. He is running a mediocre program and has no clue as to what he is doing. His defense sucks and his OC might leave to become a HC. The man has totally lost it. Let's hope he calls it quits...

    LonghornMando25

  • Mack has made so many, it's hard to put a finger on the #1.

    Staying too long with Davis was the first big one.

    I'd have to say not riding off into the sunset after 2009 was probably the biggest.

    signature image
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    GetHooked

  • Offering a Brock Fitzhenry but passing on a Manziel, Griffin, Luck, etc.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Hooked636905

  • NLeininger said...

    Vince, McCoy, Griffin, Manziel.

    Let that sink in, as that could and should have been the QB progression at Texas.

    I loath you.

    - God Bless Texas

    Frisco Horn

  • As a loyal Longhorn, I have tried to stay positive and always wear Orange on gameday, either at DRK or in front of the tube.The realities of our beloved Longhorns is now apparent to everyone.

    Mack is simply holding our program hostage. It’s as if he is waiting until the last breath is gone - to step down.
    The Texas program is bigger than Mack’s need to “fix” it. His coaching skillset has eroded to the point where he may be described as incompetent. That includes player evaluations, coordinator selections, offensive philosophy, practice philosophy, etc. There is no question that the game has long passed him by.

    I love Mack and what he brought our program. I now even worry about his physical health. Hate to see it end like this – but end it must. The best interest of the University must be the primary driving force in decisions moving forward.

    signature image

    The sweet side of DKR

    orangehouse

  • NLeininger said...

    Vince, McCoy, Griffin, Manziel.

    Let that sink in, as that could and should have been the QB progression at Texas.

    I can let Griffin slide, because I don't think any coach saw that coming from him. Every major program missed on him. That was a mistake, but I can deal with a mistake in recruiting, because that's going to happen. The others I agree with though.

    Blurred Vision

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