Crossfire with McPhaul - 01-29-2014

[HornSports Staff]

Well folks, it’s that time of the week again. We’re getting closer to National Signing Day and the groundwork for the ’14 Season is already being laid in the weight room as I type this.

 

In this week of “Crossfire” we will discuss the Spring Game. Last week we mentioned that some former UT Coaches were on the move. The dust is starting to settle and we will see where these guys are headed or where they are about to land- nothing Earth shattering that hasn’t been discussed already but we’ll revisit it nevertheless.

 

Next, in “Drop and Gimme 20” I will address some of the questions you guys have submitted to me. What kind of defense will we be running? Is Bruce Chambers REALLY going to be our TE Coach or is Tim Brewster coming back home to the 40 Acres? Will Johnathan Gray redshirt in the Fall? Some of the answers you may like. Some, not so much. Nevertheless, I will answer the questions truthfully as I know it to be. And as always we’ll sit down with our old buddy Friend of Bevo (FOB) and see what’s on his mind these days.

 

Here we go..

 

 

SPRING GAME SCHEDULED

 

The 2014 Texas Football Orange-White game has been scheduled!

 

Time & Date: Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m.

Site: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

TV: Longhorn Network

 

Spring practice is scheduled to begin March 18th.

 

 

COACHES ON THE MOVE

 

Stacy Searles accepted a job on the Frank Beamers’ West Virginia staff.

 

Major Applewhite is presently negotiating his severance package with the University of Texas so he can accept the Quarterbacks position coach at North Carolina on Larry Fedora’s staff.

 

Bo Davis has accepted the DL position coach under Nick Saban at Alabama.

 

Manny Diaz has accepted the DC position on Skip Holtz’s staff at Louisiana Tech.

 

Oscar Giles as mentioned last week is talking to Sonny Dykes at Cal, Mark Richt at Georgia and one other school I’m not privy to. Still no information on who the 3rd school is at this point.

 

Duane Akina is still under consideration to join Sonny Dykes staff at Cal.

 

 

DROP AND GIMME 20 - Q & A

 

Q) Are many of us on this board right when we suggest all of the panicking needs to stop?

A) Legendary Texas A&M Basketball coach Shelby Metcalfe once said that the only happy Aggie, was an unhappy Aggie. That shoe would fit a good number of our fan base right now. Coach Strong and his staff have been on the job for a little over 3 three weeks now. If you did not foresee de-commits and new out of state offers going out, then you are being a bit naïve.

 

Q) Will Texas hire a TE coach in place of Chambers?

A) I believe we learn the final position for Coach Chambers after signing day. Former Texas Tight End Coach and ace recruiter Tim Brewster has been linked to the job.

 

Q) I've been told that Vance Bedford at Louisville implemented a 3-3-5 defensive alignment as a base defense. Which players currently on the UT roster does that benefit that may have been limited last year in terms of playing time?

A) Here is what I have been told. There has been too much emphasis placed on Texas running a particular alignment. Texas will end up running the 3-4-4 as often as they do the 3-3-5.

 

Q) Are there any potential big surprises left in recruiting, good or bad?

A) As of right now, yes and yes.

 

Q) Where is Deloss Dodds? What is Deloss Dodds doing? Where did Deloss Dodds disappear too? Deloss, anyone?

A) Dodds is enjoying his semi retirement.

 

Q) Where do we stand with Poona Ford and what Strongs defense will showcase based off his defense from his past?

A) Hornsports has heard reports that Ford has given Coach Strong a verbal. As of right now, I’m not sure who Ford resembles. I have not seen enough of him.

 

Q) Will any of the spring practices be open to the public?

A) Nothing has been released.

 

Q) Do you foresee any movement of players from one side of the ball to the other during spring drills? I know there are folks wishing for Mykkele Thompson to get a look on Offense, but have you smelled or seen any smoke regarding Mykkele or others?

A) Not at this time. I have a hard time imagining Coach Strong would move a senior. Possibly Overstreet.

 

Q) With the emergence of Brown is it safe to say that Gray will be given the opportunity to Red Shirt to ensure that he is healthy for the following season. And if that is the case who other than Joe will see handoffs? Easy guess would be Overstreet or Daje back to a full time rb..any sleepers (freshmen) to watch out for?

A) Gray would absolutely be given the opportunity to red shirt if he is not healthy. The Brown & Bergeron duo have shown they can handle the majority of the carries for next season. It is crucial that the duo remain healthy. Let’s hope that Strong and staff influence Daje to dedicated himself. Something Daje has not done since he has been on campus. It is going to be interesting to see what true frosh gets some looks.

 

Q) Do we hire Tim Brewster?

A) That is the rumor.

 

Q) Is Bill Little going to be replaced/retired? Will the UT sports information staff be replaced/reshuffled? Does Coach Strong communicate with the SID?

A) I’m not sure on Bill Little but I’m certain that Patterson is evaluating all positions.

 

Q) Any chance we will get a QB transferring in that can play right away?

A) It does not appear that this staff is talking to any prospect. At this time, the staff is encouraged by David Ash’s progress.

 

Q) Does Charlie Strong need landscaping services? Or anyone on the staff?

A) I have been told that Strong & Staff are only worried about one lawn. Joe Jamail Field.

 

Q) What about Barnes' job status with all this winning going on? His leash should be loosened, IMO.

A) Barnes has been put on notice. One would have to believe that he is on track to save his job “if” Texas continues to make excellent progress.

 

 

Q) Will Augie still step down at the end of the season, as has been stated in the past few months by various sources?

A) I believe there is better than a 50/50 chance.

 

Q) Can we get an update on the Foreman twins? Will they stick or jump to Misery?

A) I hearing that Armanti did not care for the new on campus/class rules that Coach Strong is implementing. We also know the brothers wanted to stay close to home.

 

Q) Everybody's heard about the former Alabama running back from Florida who apparently in the full view of God and everybody was cheating, who was getting extra benefits. RSJ's dad says he was offered a substantial sum of money for his son's signature. There have been more than a couple of reports of the Aggies now fully invested in $EC recruiting tactics, not to mention the blatant FU Johnny Manziel gave to the NCAA last year and then basically skated.

What, if anything, are you hearing regards the Aggies and their paying/providing extra benefits to players? (Historically ANY time they've been relevant they've been PROVEN to have been cheating!) Are you hearing anything?

A) I guess you are not familiar of the Mike Goodson saga? Under Franchione A&M alums hired Mrs. Goodson for a job in Bryan/College Station? Mrs. Goodson accepted the position and moved to B/CS leaving behind her two younger sons in Klein. Mr. Goodson accepted a sales position with an Aggie owned car dealership in Houston before he was sent to prison. BTW, Mike Goodson never graduated from high school. Mike attained his GED during the summer after his Sr. year.

The A&M Powerbrokers understood that they were going to have to step their game up if they joined the SEC and they have. A&M is going to do what they have to do to succeed. The problem is the cheaters have gotten a whole lot smarter than the NCAA. I would not hold my breath on the NCAA doing anything about the rampant cheating in the SEC.

 

Q) While the BMD's are now playing nice, how pissed are they really and who really is in the crosshairs, Patterson or Powers?

A) Patterson better deliver. Texas is not going to do what Rick Perry tried to do and fire Powers.

 

 

CONVERSATION WITH FRIEND OF BEVO

 

McPhaul: Thanks for getting back to me.

 

FOB: It’s not a problem.

 

McPhaul: What are your thoughts on the recruit defections? They sure have a small portion of our fan base in a tizzy.

 

FOB: Sometimes I wonder if people don’t think before they write.

 

Looky here, Charlie & staff have been on the job for three weeks. Gary Patterson, Art Briles and Kevin Sumlin have built relationships with these recruits for at least two years, some of them longer. Are people that naïve to believe there is not going to be the same level chemistry & comfort between the different staff’s?

 

Give this staff a whole year to build the necessary relationships and I believe they are going to be a force to reckon with.

 

McPhaul: Some believe that Coach Strong is coming across too hard and that is the reason for some commitments wanting to take other visits.

 

FOB: That’s hogwash. If coming across straight and telling the kid what he can expect is too hard then some of those kids were not going to cut it in the first place.

 

You better believe we would rather lose them now then investing time in them and losing them via transfer later on. That’s not good for anybody.

 

McPhaul: Some have voiced their concern about Coach Strong’s rules of living on campus and sitting in the front two rows for all their classes. Some believe that is going to cost Texas from consideration for some blue chips.

 

FOB: I’m not going to sugar coat this. Under Strong, Texas is not going to be for everybody. In case you have not noticed, the country club ran here and is presently being run at schools across our state, is NOT going to happen at Texas.

Those days are gone. You better come here because you are serious about graduating and dedicating yourself to the team. Of course that message has scared a few.

When the Texas High School coaches see that Charlie is genuine and the recruits and their families see that their kids are truly receiving a education that will last a lifetime, they will line up to come here.

 

McPhaul: I have never seen so many out of state offers in such a short period of time.

 

FOB: Take notice: this staff has relationships all over the country. Right now they are relying on those relationships to recruit out of state a fill the needs left in this 2014 recruiting class.

 

I will be honest, I’m excited to see what our out of state recruiting looks like in two years. I believe Texas is going to be a monster on the national scene.

 

McPhaul: There are rumors about former Texas TE coach Tim Brewster returning to the 40. What do you know about that?

 

FOB: I know that there has been communications between Texas and Brewster. Don’t look for any staff shake up before singing day.

 

McPhaul: How are the offseason workouts going?

 

FOB: Pat Moore doesn’t play around. I don’t think I have seen Pat smile one time. This Texas team may come up short in some games next but, it won’t be because we are soft and out of shape. This staff will put well-conditioned athletes on the field.

 

McPhaul: How is the team handling it?

 

FOB: Honestly the staff is pleased. I have the pleasure of speaking with a position coach and he told me that the kids have been very receptive and the effort has been there.

 

You are going to see a certain kinds of kids thrive in this new environment. Let me reiterate, this program is not going to be for the weak-minded. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, you are going to work and work hard.

 

McPhaul: You hearing about possible transfers?

 

FOB: There is going to be some attrition. There always is when a new staff comes in. The staff has been good about letting the kids know where they stand.

 

McPhaul: One more question before I let you go.

 

FOB: What you got?

 

McPhaul: Is A&M paying again?

 

FOB: Again? You’re assuming they ever stopped? The problem now is they are learning the SEC tactics and that’s not good for anybody. From what I understand coach Sumlin is not happy about the alum involvement but cannot control it.

 

McPhaul: Alright man, I'll holler soon!

 

FOB: Later

 

 

Well folks, that’s all I got for now. Signing Day is just around the corner and I expect next week to be an interesting one to say the least. We’ll be with you the entire time keeping you posted as things progress. Until then, Hook ‘em!

McPhaul

[gorocketgo]

nice report

[armadillo slim]

"The A&M Powerbrokers understood that they were going to have to step their game up if they joined the SEC and they have. A&M is going to do what they have to do to succeed. The problem is the cheaters have gotten a whole lot smarter than the NCAA. I would not hold my breath on the NCAA doing anything about the rampant cheating in the SEC."

 

i have houseplants that are smarter than the NCAA, one potted ivy in particular.

[HookemDTX]

Beamers is at Virginia Tech.

[HookemDTX]

Bill Little's old job was posted on the UT website.

 

https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/jobs/nlogon/140128010396

[ball911]

It's not about being smart...the NCAA enforcement staff has been gutted. What does that tell you about how serious university presidents are about enforcing the rules?

[echeese]

Beamers is at Virginia Tech.

 

Thought McPaul was breaking some big time news. . .Holgerson fired and Beamer moving to WVU and taking his staff with him. . .

[Tulsahorn]

It's not about being smart...the NCAA enforcement staff has been gutted. What does that tell you about how serious university presidents are about enforcing the rules?

 

I think it's more that the NCAA does not have real power like a government agency - they can't subpoena, can't strong arm anyone to talk. Everyone "knows" JM took money signing 10,000 autographs - but if no one talks, there is simply nothing the NCAA can do. Knowing something and proving something are two different animals. Without proof, if the NCAA hammered JM, how many milliseconds would it before he sued?

[Sirhornsalot]

 

i have houseplants that are smarter than the NCAA, one potted ivy in particular.

 

 

You can't ever turn your back on them I tell ya.

[Juan]

Legendary Texas A&M Basketball coach Shelby Metcalfe once said that the only happy Aggie, was an unhappy Aggie.

 

 

 

I love that line.

[Brasky]

Great report, Mc P. Thanks!!

[Darrell McPhaul]

Thought McPaul was breaking some big time news. . .Holgerson fired and Beamer moving to WVU and taking his staff with him. . .

 

Ah, stand corrected. Don't know what I was thinking?

[Topstarr]

McPhaul thanks for the information.....very good CrossFire. HOOK'EM

[ball911]

I think it's more that the NCAA does not have real power like a government agency - they can't subpoena, can't strong arm anyone to talk. Everyone "knows" JM took money signing 10,000 autographs - but if no one talks, there is simply nothing the NCAA can do. Knowing something and proving something are two different animals. Without proof, if the NCAA hammered JM, how many milliseconds would it before he sued?

 

I think the NCAA enforcement staff has 2 people left....to police every school in America. Honestly, I don't know who could do that.

[Brasky]

I think the NCAA enforcement staff has 2 people left....to police every school in America. Honestly, I don't know who could do that.

 

every school in America with the exception of the SEC schools. They police themselves. I think Alabama turned themselves in 2 years ago. One of their guys didn't report the money he made as a child mowing lawns to the IRS as income. Something like that.

[Horn78]

Bringing Tim Brewster back would be huge-especially Wickline/Watson duo actually plan to use the te position.

Thanks for the info McP

[J.B. TexasEx]

From what I understand coach Sumlin is not happy about the alum involvement but cannot control it.

 

Right. That's why Sumlin re-upped for another 6 years at $5M per season. I don't doubt that Sumlin (and Strong for that matter) can get frustrated by alumni involvement and meddling. But, don't doubt for a minute that he doesn't know what's happening behind the scenes.

 

"Lack of institutional control"

[Pancho Negro]

If there are actual fans who think Coach Strong is "too hard" then they are probably the same fans who didn't mind Mack and how he ran the program.

 

Too hard? Wow. Can't believe there are actual people who call themselves Longhorns who think after the last several years of pillow talk and slumber parties that Mack loved, you actually want Strong to stop being "too hard."

 

Unbelievable. Where's the damn whiskey...

[Los Corralles]

This will be Augie's last season. Let's hope it is a good one!

[GetHooked]

If there are actual fans who think Coach Strong is "too hard" then they are probably the same fans who didn't mind Mack and how he ran the program.

 

Too hard? Wow. Can't believe there are actual people who call themselves Longhorns who think after the last several years of pillow talk and slumber parties that Mack loved, you actually want Strong to stop being "too hard."

 

Unbelievable. Where's the damn whiskey...

 

I think his football and his classroom policies were much needed. I don't think the living on campus thing is going to work out well for the program.

 

I hope he rethinks that one.

[hoskins5]

I understand that the enforcement staff is dwindled but I think the NCAA doesn't even know where to start with the violations in the SEC. Not to mention they would be killing their biggest money maker. However, IMO it comes down to the fact that the NCAA is a spineless organization that needs to be revamped or destroyed.

[Watson]

We have a conceptual problem at Texas. We want to treat the NCAA rules as definite and clear, and carrying the moral equivalency of laws. The problem is that the NCAA's "speed limits" aren't laws, aren't definite like speed limits, aren't being followed by large numbers of drivers, and aren't enforceable. In effect, the rules are a facade.

 

So what do you do about it? Take off the handcuffs, Texas. I've thought for a long time, that Texas should put its vast alumni wealth into play here. If the SEC, OU, USC, tOSU want to play this way, let's show 'em what happens when they have to compete with the deepest pockets of all. Sometimes people have to get curb stomped before they realize peaceful compliance is a better option.

[Brasky]

When you say there are still some surprises for NSD, both good and bad, are you referring to specific rumors like the possible defection of Bonney or just that you think we should expect anything? Any specific info, good and bad?

[Darrell McPhaul]

When you say there are still some surprises for NSD, both good and bad, are you referring to specific rumors like the possible defection of Bonney or just that you think we should expect anything? Any specific info, good and bad?

 

I was referring to kids that have stated that they are going to announce on signing day.

 

Their choices might become more clear in the next week but, how it stands right now, there is bound to be a few surprises.

 

Take Poona Ford for interest. We have heard that Ford is a silent commit to Texas. I would very surprised if Ford does not sign with Texas.

[seahawkhorn]

If there are actual fans who think Coach Strong is "too hard" then they are probably the same fans who didn't mind Mack and how he ran the program.

 

Too hard? Wow. Can't believe there are actual people who call themselves Longhorns who think after the last several years of pillow talk and slumber parties that Mack loved, you actually want Strong to stop being "too hard."

 

Unbelievable. Where's the damn whiskey...

 

Strong is a big meanie!