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Despite a big win against Baylor, we are told that Charlie Strong is still facing an uphill battle to save his job. Though no decisions have officially been made, the sentiment is still that Strong must win out over the remainder of the season. There was a brief respite from the constant negativity on Saturday following the game, but a loss in Lubbock this week could still be the death blow many see coming. For all the success at home, Texas road struggles are under an intense microscope.
If that decision comes, the new coaching search is sure to be filled with a lot of rumors and silliness. We bring you thee latest intel on that front.
Houston head coach Tom Herman is still the fan favorite despite a rough few weeks. There’s a lot of thought that his team is simply distracted with talk of his imminent departure. Nothing is official for Herman at this point, but sources inside the Cougar locker room tell us that the players know what’s likely to happen. There are some other things going on within the team leading to shaky performances, most notably injuries and lack of depth on the line. Herman did himself a favor with a big comeback against Central Florida this week, and some people indicated they expect him to eventually be the guy.
If there’s a strong opposition to Herman, we’re told it would come in the form of former Texas Offensive Coordinator Bryan Harsin. Harsin took his first loss last week to Wyoming, but prior to that he had Boise State playing at a high level. We were told that Harsin would most definitely be interested in the job, and he’s got an advantage in the race. Mack Brown still holds the attention of some decision makers, and we’re told his recommendation of Harsin carries some weight.
Don’t expect Washington Head Coach Chris Petersen to entertain an offer to take the job. We were told this weekend it wouldn’t happen, and that Petersen is perfectly happy in the Pacific Northwest.
Just for grins we checked around to see if the Nick Saban train still held any momentum. We were told that while there are still a few hold outs keeping hope alive, most people understand it would be a fool’s errand to chase after Saban.
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After giving you the good stuff from post game availability this week, we gathered up some scraps from the cutting room floor fresh from our conversations with coaches and players.
Charlie Strong
On Wins Not Coming Easy: “When you have a young team, sometimes it isn’t going to be easy. I just knew this was going to be a 60-minute battle. We walk in there at halftime, we’re up two, and I told them, I said, guys, it’s going to take 30 minutes and it’s going to take every bit of it, and at the end, someone is going to end up driving the football, and I hope that’s usâ€.
On Trent Domingue: “We go through that every day, where I have him at the end of practice, I put the ball down and just have him go out there and kick. Some days he’s on, some days he isn’t, and for him to hit it tonight, it was just really bigâ€.
On some players not starting: “Well, guys, it’s week by week, and they need to play well, and not so much – they’re going to play, it’s who starts the game, but when you look at it, Malik probably played more than any linebacker there tonightâ€.
On D’Onta Foreman: “You know he’s just playing at a different level. He wants to be the best back in the country, and right now he’s playing like he is the best back in the countryâ€.
On team chemistry: “Well, you’ve just got to build off the night, and then the team has really good chemistry. These guys all like each other, around each other a lot, so the chemistry is there. Now , it’s just all about usâ€.
Andrew Beck
On the late touchdown: “It’s exciting. Every time we run it in practice, my eyes get big. I’m just excited I got called in the game. That’s always a plus. It still hasn’t set in yetâ€.
On carrying momentum forward: “We haven’t been great on the road so far, but we’ve matured as a team as the season has rolled on. I think guys understand now that we have to be able to carry this onto the road. We’ve been pretty good at home, but obviously a road win is due for usâ€.
PJ Locke
On his two turnovers: “I’m just proud of my preparation. It allowed me to make plays todayâ€.
On improving the defense: “We just had a chip on our shoulders. I feel like the game against Kansas State, we just made a few too many mistakes. It cost us the game. We focused on not making those mistakes so we pull out a winâ€.
Armanti Foreman
On how special the day was: “It was extremely special. I knew I had to come out here and make big plays. Last week, I just kept replaying that moment (his 4th quarter drop) in my head. I just told myself that when I get the opportunity to make that big play again, I’ve got to make it. I feel like I did that tonightâ€.
On moving away from bad plays: “I’m always confident in myself. I do beat myself up a lot, but I’m always confident in myself. I don’t ever give up on myself. I think that’s what motivates me to keep on going, keep fighting. I feel like that’s what I had to do this week. I beat myself up all last week, and this week too just thinking about it. I just had to stay focused, believe in myself, and come out today and play greatâ€.
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HornSports Senior Recruiting Analyst Mike Roach was in Ennis on Friday night to take in Josh Thompson as he faced off against the Lions. The Texas commit couldn’t quite lead Nacogdoches to the win, but it was apparent he was a star athlete on the field. We spoke to Thompson following the game (and again after the Baylor game) to catch up with him for the latest.
On the win against Baylor: “The thing about that game is that Texas never did let up. They fought until the end and didn’t get low about anything. They continued to push to get the ‘W’â€.
On what the coaching staff’s message is to recruits: “Basically everything is going to be fine. Stop listening to the rumors and continue to get Longhorns added to the familyâ€.
On the heavy pressure he’s getting from TCU: “No need to worry about anything. I am a Longhorn, and I’ll continue to be oneâ€.
On what Brandon Jones is telling him about Texas: “He basically tells me you have to work for anything you want, and that’s what I like. He said it’s all a learning process and he understands where he is atâ€.
On how the current group of commits is handling the negativity around the program: “We are handling things real well. Everyone is still being the same, and there is nothing different. We are still a familyâ€.
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We spoke with Yoakum DB Jordan Moore briefly following the Baylor game to get his thoughts on the visit.
On his thoughts of the game: “It was great. I knew they would winâ€.
On the message coaches are giving to recruits: “They honestly didn’t say a whole lot, they were focused on the game. They just welcomed usâ€.
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We also caught up with West Mesquite safety Dayven Coleman following the Baylor game to get his thoughts on a return trip to DKR.
On the game: “It was great. I enjoyed the game a lot, but afterward I talked to Coach Clay (Jennings), and he said he’s been watching me closelyâ€.
On what the coaches have told him: “He really likes what I’ve been doing, and that I can fit in their schemeâ€.
On the team’s win: “I thought it was a great team win to see them fight their way bac in the seasonâ€.
On what Longhorn he compares his game to: “DeShon Elliott, number 4â€.
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