Chambers

[JimR]

why is it the conventional wisdom that Chambers is a bad coach?

 

[NLeininger]

I think it's because the TE position has sucked since Irby went down against Rice in 2008. I'm not sure the how or why prospects are evaluated or offered, but Texas moved away from targeting real TE's and more towards taking big WR's that they hoped could learn how to be inline blockers.

Some say he evaluated MacFarland higher than Amaro. If true, that's pretty damning.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

why is it the conventional wisdom that Chambers is a bad coach?

I don't think he's a bad coach. Heck, he was running back coach back when we had 1000 yard rushers in Ricky, Hodges x2, and Ced Benson til 2002. I just think he's coaching the wrong position.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

why is it the conventional wisdom that Chambers is a bad coach?

I think it goes back to his hiring by Mack. IMO, Chambers had really done nothing special at Dallas Carter. He represented an "in" for Mack with the inner city schools. At the time, Texas was having a hard time connecting with those kids. So there was a built-in lack of respect for how/why the hire went down. And I don't think anything has happened to make that perception go away.

That said, you take a look at David Thomas and Jermichael Finley and Blane Irby before he got hurt the last time - you realize Chambers was doing a pretty decent job. We all thought Thomas would be a good TE when he was recruited, but he ended up being one of the greats and Chambers was his coach.

 

[JimR]

my question is prompted by my view that I cannot evaluate his coaching when I don't watch him coach. perhaps more important, UT's offense does not use a TE except to block. Greg Davis rarely used a fullback, but that did not mean that the fullback coach was a bad coach. I just wondered if someone had something specific other than we do not throw to the TE.

 

[Tulsahorn]

Seems people have turned on him like a rabid dog lately. Once something catches fire, it just spreads without any reasoning. The only thing these people do is see we didn't have a good TE, then immediately it's the position coaches fault. Since he's been here, I've seen Akina go from genius to idiot a half dozen times.

Evaluation of talent is only one part of it - coaching is another part. We went after the guy from Washington, just didn't get him. He coached arguably the best tight end we've every had (DT) and Finely, and at that time he wasn't the worst coach in the world. Some think he is now. As mentioned above, he also coached RB's and had some great backs.

You just don't forget how to coach. If he was good with DT, JF, and Irby, he just didn't lose it all.

 

[JimR]

Seems people have turned on him like a rabid dog lately. Once something catches fire, it just spreads without any reasoning. The only thing these people do is see we didn't have a good TE, then immediately it's the position coaches fault. Since he's been here, I've seen Akina go from genius to idiot a half dozen times.
Evaluation of talent is only one part of it - coaching is another part. We went after the guy from Washington, just didn't get him. He coached arguably the best tight end we've every had (DT) and Finely, and at that time he wasn't the worst coach in the world. Some think he is now. As mentioned above, he also coached RB's and had some great backs.

You just don't forget how to coach. If he was good with DT, JF, and Irby, he just didn't lose it all.

kinda what I think, but I wondered if I was missing something.

 

[Davharjac]

Texas did not have any talent TE..I don't see how he is judged so harshly..Texas didn't do a great job going after impact players there. I can't be mad a him for liking McFarland, one miss judgement does not make you a bad coach. McFarland was essentially a big WR, he had size and speed. He could have lucked into Amaro ..and what he is all of a sudden a great coach?

 

[mtex]

What do current and past players think of him?

 

[JimR]

I coached for 9 years. I guarantee you I was a much better coach when I had great players. I did not do anything differently, of course.

 

[DocHorn]

I coached for 9 years. I guarantee you I was a much better coach when I had great players. I did not do anything differently, of course.

I wonder if Tom Landry was a better coach in 1971 with Roger as qb or in 1961 with Eddie Labaron as qb?

The internet mantra seems to be the coaches are playing a video game with their offenses vs the defense. IMO it has a lt more to do with the talent of the players, their condition, their motivation and the demands of the HC for excellence. The x-oS are important but the rest is as or more important.

 

[echeese]

my question is prompted by my view that I cannot evaluate his coaching when I don't watch him coach. perhaps more important, UT's offense does not use a TE except to block.
the post GD offense does not use TEs in the passing game,

 

GD OTOH used them early and often and even pulled a page from Mizzu's book and used the kid from Allen, Dan Buckner in 2008 as a split/flex TE/Big WR mismatch that tore up OU. This would be an example of poor use of talent by Harsin and Major

Greg Davis rarely used a fullback, but that did not mean that the fullback coach was a bad coach.

Except we did use a fullback with Rick/major and Simms until we went spread for VY and there was no fullback coach anyway. Perhaps you are going for some odd hypothtical

I just wondered if someone had something specific other than we do not throw to the TE.

I've never been a believer that RBs need much coaching. . they either are or they are not. . .this compared to an OL or QB or WR where there is a GREAT deal of technique which can be taught. . .

so moving Chambers from RBs to TEs could be an example of him being on staff primarily as a recruiter. . .

Having listened to him speak there is no question he knows football but again, that doesn't make him a good coach. .

Flip the question. . make a case he's a good coach. . .

 

[DocHorn]

I've never been a believer that RBs need much coaching. . they either are or they are not. . .this compared to an OL or QB or WR where there is a GREAT deal of technique which can be taught. . .
so moving Chambers from RBs to TEs could be an example of him being on staff primarily as a recruiter. . .

Having listened to him speak there is no question he knows football but again, that doesn't make him a good coach. .

Flip the question. . make a case he's a good coach. . .

I agree that teaching a running back to run is fools gold, however teaching the RB his assignments vs pressure, fakes, proper blitz pickups etc , outlet routes and other patterns is very important and all part of the coaches job

 

[JimR]

I am not trying to make a case not was I talking about Greg Davis. I do not know if Chambers is a good or bad coach because I have not watched him coach.

 

[LinuxHorn]

I agree that teaching a running back to run is fools gold, however teaching the RB his assignments vs pressure, fakes, proper blitz pickups etc , outlet routes and other patterns is very important and all part of the coaches job

Yep. I was a running back. There's a lot you can teach him. Of course they may already have the raw tools to work with. You teach them vision, balance, how to carry the football to minimize fumbling, blocking, and foot work. It's not just about speed or juking.

 

[Topstarr]

I think we all are good coaches and Chamber is a good coach....(I think Mack had a foot in Chambers left shoe.)

 

[LegendaryHorn]

Development and production of TEs has been terrible since Irby went down.