Is Our Luck Finally Changing? (The Near Decade of Disappointment)

[mchammer]

Back on topic, we will likely get our first top 5 class since Mack.

 

[Htown77]

Back on topic, we will likely get our first top 5 class since Mack

If we can beat Tech and win the bowl, that should also help with that.

 

[moondog_LFZ]

As I recall, Gilbert said he saw the guy coming but thought he had more time.
Could be the "speed of the game" they talk about a freshman QB having to get used to as compared to high school.
The next season Gilbert had no help.
No running game, no receivers and a system that didn't fit the personnel.
I really think he was always pressing and trying to do to much.
He would have been much better off at a different school.

 

[caryhorn]

Maybe, just maybe, our seven plus year odyssey of mediocrity and ineptitude may be coming to an end. Talk about bad luck, and bad karma...

If Blake Gideon catches that tipped ball in 2008, we're in the championship game in January of 2009.

If Colt doesn't suffer that freak injury in the first quarter of the Rose Bowl in January of 2010, we probably have another crystal ball in our trophy case.

If Mark Brown doesn't make a terrible decision to abandon the highly successful zone read in favor of an Alabama type power running game, Garrett Gilbert quite possibly becomes a proficient QB, and Brown may still be here with plenty to brag about.

If Mack doesn't pass on players like Andrew Luck (because he had already committed to Gilbert), or RGIII because he wanted to be a QB, or dare I mention Johnny F? (Not sure we would want that legacy here though.)

Then there's the story of budding rock star D coordinator Manny Diaz. Who knows what happened, but he seems to be doing just fine now.

If Charlie Strong doesn't insist on Shawn Watson as his OC, against the objections of most observers.

If Dominick Espinosa and David Ash don't go down in Strong's first game.

If Ash is not concussion prone and, instead of having to leave the game, he remains healthy.

If can't miss running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray become the backs they were expected to be, and if Gray doesn't tear his Achilles.

If Nick Rose doesn't miss the PAT after Heard's comeback heroics against Cal here in 2015.

If Dickson doesn't drop the snap against OSU.

I could go on. In fact, for the period of 2010 through today, I can only think of two highlights: Case McCoy engineering the win against TAMU and our victory against OU in 2015. Other than those two games, I am drawing a blank.

Let's just hope that finally, perhaps our nightmare is coming to a close.

It's about time.

^^^This. Well said Duke.

 

[Joe Fan]

 

[ViperHorn]

Plans do change when boatloads of money are involved.

 

[Joe Fan]

Plans do change when boatloads of money are involved.

 

[ViperHorn]

What will be worse for Texas - leaving after this season or next? If he stays what will be the line to recruits, and what will be the line opposing schools will throw out for the next 12-14 months?

We all hope recruits are drawn to the school and not the coach, but it always doesn't work that way.

 

[ShAArk92]

which is where coaching and preparation come into play.

where preparation meets opportunity.

The opportunity happens almost every Saturday.

 

[Run Pincher]

I don't think there's any doubt the team is now playing with fire and passion. Anyone who can't see a turnaround is blind. But the real question I think is how far will it go? Will we a regular 8-9 win team or will we compete for NC's?

Even with the injuries it's sad to think about what could have been this season with some better coaching decisions. Just as someone posted Manny iaz was learning on the job at our expense, so is TH. He's still young, we can only hope he learns quickly as he's done a great job in motivation and leadership. He still has things to learn with in game decision making.

 

[bystander]

What will be worse for Texas - leaving after this season or next? If he stays what will be the line to recruits, and what will be the line opposing schools will throw out for the next 12-14 months?

We all hope recruits are drawn to the school and not the coach, but it always doesn't work that way.

This is why I think the CEO type coach is always a bit on shaky footing. Think about OU. Riley is a great coordinator. I don't know if he has relinquished his old duties but compare him to Mack. Riley has a system. Mack was always searching for one. The CEO coach relies heavily on his assistants and if they come and go then the questions you asked will always be with us.

 

[X Misn Tx]

Seems like Stoops had a bazillion coaches come and go. And Riley's team record of success is 4 months long.

 

[bystander]

Seems like Stoops had a bazillion coaches come and go. And Riley's team record of success is 4 months long.

I hear you. I just remember Mack floundering the last few years with different coordinators and systems. Mike Leach brings his system. I was just comparing it to someone like him.