The Sooners Did it First

[Bill in Sinton]

The Sooners remind us that one of their alumni (DKR) helped our program and even take partial credit for Coach Mack Brown who was an assistant their in 1984. But they did it first. Mark McMahon was a gret left tackle for us from 1899-1901 and was a captain on the 1901 team. During that time we were 25-5-1 and had a perfect 6-0-0 record in 1900. He graduated from law school and in 1902 heard that after three games in 1902 that Oklahoma needed a new coaches after starting off at 0-2 losing to us and the Dallas Athletic Club 11-6. Dallas had beat them using the Single Wing formation and he was hired mainly to teach the team that formation because they knew he wouldn't coach long since law was his profession. The Sooners only lost on more game in 1902 and in his second and last year they were 5-4-3 due to a brutal road schedule. In 1903 he quit coaching and went into the law profession but had done the job the Sooners wanted. So a UT grad helped them just like DKR helped us years later. Ironic isn't it?
The Link

 

[WorsterMan]

Very interesting history there and not one I ever remember reading about. It is ironic how he helped ou like DKR helped UT.

1903 - that reminds me that this was back in the days where football had far fewer rules, was very brutal and many players were seriously injured and some died. My Grandmother's cousin (Julian) played for Clifton College in Central Texas around 1918 - I understand he was big - their best player - a RB. In one game the other team decided to "take him out" and his chest was basically caved in - he got pneumonia died a week or two after the game. My Grandmother was always very bitter about his death and objected to me playing football in HS.

In fact, in the early 1900's there was a lot of controversary about the game & banning it - to the point where Pres. Teddy Roosevelt got involved to help save the sport. The sport quickly added some rules, enforced the rules & changed some things to limit some of the violence and deaths.

 

[Longhorn Mike]

1900 - 6 and 0??? I smell a 5th National Championship! Lets order the letters to hang up at DKRTMS.

 

[SunBurntOrange]

Screw the sooners

 

[TigerPride]

DKR was an Okie who built your entire modern football tradition. Not the same.

 

[Statalyzer]