S e p a r a t i o n

[Godz40acres]

I wrote this for BC last year about a week after National Signing Day.

Separation [sep-uh-rey-shuh n]: noun - a place, line, or point of parting.

One thing I'm not certain about: how our previous head coaches handled the behind-the-scenes aspects of recruiting.*

One thing I'm confident about: how our present head coach handles the behind-the-scenes aspects of recruiting.

In a Q&A with Horns Digest's recruiting guru, Jason Higdon, he discusses many backstage occurrences of this past recruiting cycle. The first one, concerning the Kris Boyd ordeal, he concludes with this:

The Aggies tried to do everything they could to get Boyd to sign the fax and have the mother ink it before anyone knew what was going on. Texas was well aware of everything going on with the situation and would not allow it to get sideways. Kris does not live with his mother or father, neither does Demarco from what I understand, but they don't live with each other. No one in Gilmer wanted to see either brother end up anywhere other than Texas. Texas A&M countered the entire time on the recruiting trail with why play for a program with discipline, core values and accountability. If you are a young man that has more of an interest in parties, girls and going and coming as you please, that lifestyle could become appealing to you. That was the whole sales pitch from what various recruits have said.​

[Emphasis added]

Not having followed recruiting for 10 years prior to this one, coupled with growing senility, this came as somewhat of a shock to me. I know of and despise a&m’s cheating history – they are worse than (insert a brilliant and hilarious Scipio analogy here). But, this isn’t about cheating.

It’s about character, or the lack thereof.

Leaving aside the discussions of society’s moral decay/abandonment of Godly principles, what kind of man would use honorable values as a negative? What does that tell you about him? If he’s willing to pervert principles, what else is he inclined to do?

No one is perfect, all have faults. But, this type of person cannot be truly trusted in matters of honesty, loyalty, dependability and maturation. He cannot be relied upon to help you become the best you can be; to genuinely care about your future as it relates to you.

There is a clear and conspicuous separation in the characters of Charlie Strong and Kevin Sumlin. Texas fans (including me) make jokes about DJ Slumlin, his swagcopter, his partying, et al. But, at the end of day, it’s all quite disturbing. Or it should be.

In truth, I’m not writing this to convince anyone of anything – I’m sure those of you reading this are already aware of the issue. I suppose I’m just doing it for myself to help me keep the proper perspective and further appreciate Coach Charlie Strong. I really love this guy's character.

*Please understand that I'm not casting aspersions on our former coaches - I don't know how they recruited; but nothing has ever made me doubt that they were always honorable in their dealings with high school kids and their families.

 

[Brad Austin]

I always assumed rival coaches were using this tactic. I would've done the same in their shoes, just not to that classless extent.

I wouldn't go with the "if you want to party, chase girls..." script.

However, there is a chance to sway some kids by saying "you're 18 and a man now, do you want another mama, daddy, babysitter telling you what you can and can't do in college?" Sure it's exaggerated but not totally false.

I recall when I was about to leave my hometown for the first time to go play college football. Being my own man and in much greater control of my life was very important. So much so that I rented my own apartment the summer after HS before I even left for school. Living at home was great, but I wanted to be my own man.

Once in college we had to live 2 years in the dorm and then could move off campus. I agree with that policy as it allows players to adapt and function in college before turning over the keys fully. After a few years the limitation felt restrictive and unnecessary.

I can see coaches claiming CS demands living under the hand of a strict father. That he'll tell them where they can live, must sit in class, etc, etc for all their college years. Forcing 21+ upperclassmen to live in dorms and sit in the front of class is bush league IMHO. Countless college players do neither and excel in school without causing trouble.

Playing negatively off those things will strike a chord with some HS kids. I'd hope they inquire with CS himself before taking exaggerated, negative criticisms by rivals at face value. I guarantee our own recruiters exaggerate potential negatives of other programs.

All that being said, I'm sure scumbags like Briles and Sumlin played those negativity cards much differently.

 

[Big Truck]

When you have to get rig of a dozen or more players like coach Strong had to, I'd say
exaggerated measure were needed to line things out. Just a thought.

 

[moondog_LFZ]

When you have to get rid of a dozen or more players like coach Strong had to, I'd say
exaggerated measure were needed to line things out. Just a thought.

Coach Strong didn't "get rid" of anyone.
He just drew a line in the sand.
Those players stepped over it and got rid of themselves.