DKR had a "little assistance" with that decision. Are you suggesting that Herman be provided "assistance"?
Sabrehorn, I believe that you have noted previously that this “asistance” came in the form of an ultimatum from Frank Erwin. I acknowledge that you are well connected and influential in the Longhorn family and that this information was provided to you by someone very high up the chain, possibly even Erwin himself. However, I have strong reservations about this revelation for a number of reasons.
1. Even though Royal was beginning to feel some heat over 3 consecutive 4 loss seasons, he was no doubt very secure in his position. He would have felt no threat from someone even as someone as high up the food chain as Erwin. He had a national coach of the year award in his back pocket and was one of the most respected coaches in the country. He had already been offered the head coaching job at his alma mater, and Oklahoma was known to covet his return.
2. Royal was confident and had an ego. He was known to bristle when challenged by “non-football “ people and was known not to relent to this sort of pressure. As far as Erwin, when Texas began to take their lumps in the early 70’s against Oklahoma and their questionable recruiting tactics, Erwin implored Royal to fight fire with fire. Royal summarily told him to stick it.
3. Texas was not close to having a QB controversy when Royal made the switch against Texas Tech. Texas had only one game under their belt with the new wishbone offense, a 20-20 tie against Houston. Houston was a solid team in those days, and 20 points was a credible offensive performance in that era. Street was a virtual unknown. Only when the wheels completely came off against Tech did Royal make the change. There is no way Erwin was on the sidelines of games whispering coaching advice in Royal’s ear during a ballgame.
4. Royal was not averse to making quarterback changes during games, and did this with some frequency. Inserting Johnny Genung in the great 4th quarter comeback against Arkansas in ’62 and Tommy Wade for Duke Carlisle against A&M in ‘63 are a couple of examples.
5. Much more likely, Street had been running the new offense more effectively than Bradley during fall drills, but the coaches wanted to give Bradley time to take to it. The collapse in Lubbock on offense
and defense forced their hand to make a move. Down by 3 scores, Street mounted a mighty comeback but fell short. The following week Royal moved Bradley to split end and Street QB’d a 31-3 whipping of Oklahoma State. The wishbone was off and running.
6. If anyone gave Royal a nudge, it was most likely offensive coordinator Emory Bellard, who said something like, “Coach, you know Street has been looking really good in practice…”
