Post Game Thoughts

[Harrison Wier]

Oh man.... not too much to say here. As I told North Texas Golfer, I took Kansas +24 because I did not trust this team on the road. You see why now.

Offense

- D'onta Foreman had 51 carries for 250 yards. First of all, that should never happen. Second of all see the previous sentence and then remember that Texas played KANSAS. Did Sterlin Gilbert not have any other game plan? I really feel for D'onta because he is being overworked so much. If I'm him, I'm leaving for the draft. No question. Running back's careers are already short to begin with, and now games with 51 carries do not help that. NFL teams are going to be concerned about how much gas he has in the tank. Foreman was done no favors tonight.

https://twitter.com/DrewLieberman/status/800124231140904960

- Shane Buechele was rattled more than anyone thought after sustaining a 'neck injury.' He did not look the same, and it showed. He made some pretty poor throws, including consistently under-throwing the deep ball that would've resulted in points several times. Shane is a good QB, but looked like a freshman tonight. Still does not excuse completely relying on D'onta to win you this game. Absolutely horrible offensive game plan and even worse coaching.

- The offensive line was terrible. Patrick Vahe and Kent Perkins were both atrocious. Elijah Rodriguez had a tough time at center, but that wasn't surprising. They did Foreman no favors either.

- Devin Duvernay continues to be a mystery. I do not understand it. While we're at it, how does Armanti Foreman get no looks or touches? He's by far your most productive receiver on the year, yet gets nothing thrown his way? I mean, cmon. Your top receiver this game is Jacorey Warrick. I mean, no disrespect to Petey but seriously? He had a great 75-yard TD on the first play of the game that was practically handed to him. Where are your best receivers and why are you not targeting them?

- 6 turnovers. I don't fault D'onta for the late fumble because the kid was gassed. After 50 carries, what the hell did you expect? Good lord the lack of thought on offense is just mind boggling. I can't fathom it anymore. I really have no answer. The past 3 games, this team has flip flopped. The defense stepped up (until late) and the offense regresses.

Defense

- That Kris Boyd interception at the end was indeed an interception. No question about it. He was already on the ground and done with the play when the Kansas receiver ripped the ball out of his hands. No review.

- The Shark did not target the QB. Another terrible call that swung momentum even more. However, that was a freshman mistake by hitting him so late. It was questionable on whether it was roughing, but he shouldn't have done it. Regardless, he is going to be a good one.

- For the most part, the defense stepped up. Only gave up 11 points in regulation. It's truly sad that the offense could not win this game.

- Edwin Freeman dropped an easy interception, but got redemption later in the game. Good player that I'm excited to see more of.

P.J. Locke missed a crucial interception that would've sealed the game. These are the types of plays that sum up the Longhorns' season.

Special Teams

- As much as I love Jacorey Warrick, it is going to be a relief seeing someone else field punts/kickoffs next season. The only reason he is there is because he can catch the ball, and it shows.

- Trent Domingue has been the biggest disappointment by far this year. Missed an easy 31-yarder. Someone else like walk-on Chris Naggar deserves a shot. Remember that Domingue was someone on the Groza Award Watch List in the preseason.

- Michael Dickson is a stud, and has a real shot at the Ray Guy award. That dude is a diamond in the rough. He changed field positions so nicely today. 4 punts inside the 20. Great performance from the Australian.

Overall

- I think everyone knows what this means for Charlie Strong. Ultimately, I love Charlie Strong just as much as most fans do. He is a great human being, and someone I wanted so badly to succeed. As a fan, it hurts. It's truly heartbreaking to see. This is a coach that loves his players more than any other coach I've ever seen. I admire him for that. His players love him back just as much, and many see him as a second father. To me, I think that in itself may be the problem. These kids look up to him so much as a person, they may not see him like much of a coach. When they were playing this game, the team was tense. Almost looked like that feeling you get when you're playing in front of your dad and you don't want to disappoint him. That's what it felt like to me. I do not believe Charlie Strong should be fired tomorrow. There is no point in doing that. Let him finish out TCU, and go from there. Charlie Strong came into Texas when it was a disaster. He recruited 2 straight top 10 classes with a losing record, and changed the culture of the program. Whoever the next coach is will get to thank him for that. However, it's all about wins. That is something that Charlie unfortunately was not able to do. Whoever the next coach is will have their hands full recruiting wise. Texas was not set up to bring in a big 2017 class, but only has 7 commitments right now. That list will probably shrink. I am not happy that this is how it had to end. I, like most Texas fans, desperately wanted Charlie Strong to succeed. It just didn't work out that way, and that's okay. Charlie knew what the expectations were at Texas. He will bounce back from this, and I look forward to watching him wherever he goes. I will always be a Charlie Strong fan. I'm just disappointed that he wasn't the coach that could bring Texas back.

 

[tejasrulz]

- That Kris Boyd interception at the end was indeed an interception. No question about it. He was already on the ground and done with the play when the Kansas receiver ripped the ball out of his hands. No review.

- The Shark did not target the QB. Another terrible call that swung momentum even more.

I too thought Boyd had the INT and I also thought the targeting on The Shark was BS.

Just read on ESPN that Strong's wife was outside the Texas locker room crying. You have to feel for them. I'm sure they are good people but this is Texas football. You don't lose (badly & shutout) to Iowa St and you don't lose to Kansas.

 

[prosfromdover]

Such strange and sad relief in a way, now, to make the decision such an easy one. Many of us just didn't know how to reconcile such a great dude teaching kids in great ways being fired but we simply can't have three disaster seasons in a row like this. All he has to say is the truth: "I don't get it and can't explain it because if I could I would have fixed it, but we didn't win enough and that's on me. Hopefully i can fix it next time."

 

[Harrison Wier]

I too thought Boyd had the INT and I also thought the targeting on The Shark was BS.

Just read on ESPN that Strong's wife was outside the Texas locker room crying. You have to feel for them. I'm sure they are good people but this is Texas football. You don't lose (badly & shutout) to Iowa St and you don't lose to Kansas.

I absolutely feel for them. He gave up his position at what is right now a top 5 program to rebuild the brand in Austin. He just didn't succeed. He is a great human being, just not someone I see as a big time HC. Regardless, his career is far from over.

 

[Harrison Wier]

Such and strange and sad relief in a way, now to make the decision such an easy one. Many of us just didn't know how to reconcile such a great dude teaching kids in great ways being fired but we simply can't have three disaster seasons in a row like this. All he has to say is the truth: "I don't get it and can't explain it because if I could I would have fixed it. We didn't win enough and that's on me. Hopefully i can fix it next time."

He will show humility. He always does. His post game presser was tough to watch.

 

[DMAC]

Just read on ESPN that Strong's wife was outside the Texas locker room crying. You have to feel for them. 

Yea that sucks for sure.  But he has made 15 million and probably another 10 million buyout.  

You can only blame lack of talent, lack experience, untimely errors or lack of execution for so long.

After 3 years of the same old crap it has to come home to the coaching staff regardless of who it is.

 

[Harrison Wier]

Yea that sucks for sure. But he has made 15 million and probably another 10 million buyout.

You can only blame lack of talent, lack experience, untimely errors or lack of execution for so long.

After 3 years of the same old crap it has to come home to the coaching staff regardless of who it is.

It always will. He won't be hurting financially, but seems like a genuinely good dude. Don't think it's about the money for him. Hurts to see it end this way regardless

 

[DMAC]

It always will. He won't be hurting financially, but seems like a genuinely good dude. Don't think it's about the money for him. Hurts to see it end this way regardless

I agree.  I have seen worse post games PC.  Iowa State last year he was clearly distraught more so.

I used to feel sorry for the guy but at some point the need for hope, enthusiasm, and improvement overrides personal empathy.

He is a great guy and has character but just not a great head coach here

 

[Harrison Wier]

I agree. I have seen worse post games PC. Iowa State last year he was clearly distraught more so.

I used to feel sorry for the guy but at some point the need for hope, enthusiasm, and improvement overrides personal empathy.

He is a great guy and has character but just not a great head coach here

The national guys saying he never had a chance are idiots. Greg Fenves flew on a plane for him to get him an OC. He just didn't get it done, and that's ok. He will be a great DC somewhere, and I'll be rooting my ass off for him

 

[83Dee]

A couple of responses to your post game thoughts: 

What exactly do you mean when you say CS "changed the culture?"  I'm not arguing, just not sure I agree and desire clarity.  CS has no problem cutting discipline problems loose - that is a change of culture I guess.  But there is this other template out there that he brought toughness to the program that didn't exist before.  That I challenge big time.  Not being able to play on the road, and suffering blowout losses where the team fails to compete demonstrates a severe LACK of toughness.  Lack of toughness is a big part of the issue here. 

David McWilliams was a great guy, and he was a great defensive coordinator as well.  Charlie Strong isn't the first great guy to get fired as a coach.  I remember taking a course in college called "Coaching and Officiating Football."  That's right, it was a college course.  Anyways, on the first day of class the professor quoted Bum Phillips by saying "there ain't but two types of coaches, ones that just got fired and ones that are about to get fired."  He then went on to tell us that if you are going to be a coach, you had better marry an understanding wife.  I guess my point is this, coaches understand that this is part of the profession they are entering.  Every high school coach (at least in Texas) knows that they are at best only a few bad seasons away from getting fired.  CS is fortunate that he made enough money to never have to work again before it happened to him.  Many others are not so fortunate.      

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Oh man.... not too much to say here. As I told North Texas Golfer, I took Kansas +24 because I did not trust this team on the road. You see why now.

Funny, I didn't see any Staff Predictions this week so I rule that you didn't "officially" take Kansas +24 

Just kidding of course, all in good fun. 

And, even if you don't trust this team on the road, it was freaking Kansas for pete's sake! Kansas is one of the most putrid teams I've ever watched!

 

[Harrison Wier]

A couple of responses to your post game thoughts:

What exactly do you mean when you say CS "changed the culture?" I'm not arguing, just not sure I agree and desire clarity. CS has no problem cutting discipline problems loose - that is a change of culture I guess. But there is this other template out there that he brought toughness to the program that didn't exist before. That I challenge big time. Not being able to play on the road, and suffering blowout losses where the team fails to compete demonstrates a severe LACK of toughness. Lack of toughness is a big part of the issue here.

David McWilliams was a great guy, and he was a great defensive coordinator as well. Charlie Strong isn't the first great guy to get fired as a coach. I remember taking a course in college called "Coaching and Officiating Football." That's right, it was a college course. Anyways, on the first day of class the professor quoted Bum Phillips by saying "there ain't but two types of coaches, ones that just got fired and ones that are about to get fired." He then went on to tell us that if you are going to be a coach, you had better marry an understanding wife. I guess my point is this, coaches understand that this is part of the profession they are entering. Every high school coach (at least in Texas) knows that they are at best only a few bad seasons away from getting fired. CS is fortunate that he made enough money to never have to work again before it happened to him. Many others are not so fortunate.

Yeah, the change of culture wasn't about toughness. I think the way he disciplined players and held them accountable for their actions was a huge culture change that needed to happen in the program. I think the comparison to McWilliams is accurate. I'm sure Charlie understood the risks when he took the job. It is still sad to see it end this way regardless. We all rooted for him. Like it has before, charlie just couldn't turn the corner and the next coach up will reap the benefits of his talent. That's just how it goes sometimes. Charlie will be a great DC somewhere, but I'm not sure I would take him as a HC right now

 

[Harrison Wier]

Funny, I didn't see any Staff Predictions this week so I rule that you didn't "officially" take Kansas +24

Just kidding of course, all in good fun.

And, even if you don't trust this team on the road, it was freaking Kansas for pete's sake! Kansas is one of the most putrid teams I've ever watched!

Haha I should have done that but at least I put some money on Kansas +24. It's the little things I guess. But you're absolutely right. I never expected that outcome.

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Have what should be my final article for the Charlie Strong era coming soon. It was likely over before this game, but this was worse than ISU last year.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Yeah, the change of culture wasn't about toughness. I think the way he disciplined players and held them accountable for their actions was a huge culture change that needed to happen in the program. I think the comparison to McWilliams is accurate. I'm sure Charlie understood the risks when he took the job. It is still sad to see it end this way regardless. We all rooted for him. Like it has before, charlie just couldn't turn the corner and the next coach up will reap the benefits of his talent. That's just how it goes sometimes. Charlie will be a great DC somewhere, but I'm not sure I would take him as a HC right now

This is where I agree with Joel Klatt on what he said about "culture" several weeks ago. He said Charlie changed the culture but that he didn't create a new culture. Like Saban or Meyer or Harbaugh. If you saw that clip, he actually made a lot of sense. 

 

[TeamMayhall]

this was worse than ISU last year.

Absolutely

 

[streettopeschel]

You have to fire him tomorrow. Or let him resign. AND you let him coach vs TCU. The crowd will be supportive, and the team will give it all they have. If they don't do it, it's awkward all week long.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

You have to fire him tomorrow. Or let him resign. AND you let him coach vs TCU. The crowd will be supportive, and the team will give it all they have. If they don't do it, it's awkward all week long.

This. 

You don't want a Monday press conference without an announcement. Not fair to him or to the players who will answer questions at the press conference. 

 

[83Dee]

This is where I agree with Joel Klatt on what he said about "culture" several weeks ago. He said Charlie changed the culture but that he didn't create a new culture. Like Saban or Meyer or Harbaugh. If you saw that clip, he actually made a lot of sense. 

Joel Klatt is quality.  Here is another thing JK said, "turn on the game film and everything you see you are either coaching or allowing." 

I don't know what went wrong here, but it has become obvious that a change is needed to right this thing.  I personally like the "bad fit" theory.... like Rich Rodriguez at Mechicken, CS at Texas just didn't create wins on the field... bad fit somehow.   

Stay Strong Charlie.... you will be a hot commodity as a P5 Coordinator, and will get another HC shot in the near future.