Coaching vs Talent

[ellie44]

I loved Mack. But I believe we won that NC with an amazing roster of talent and the willingness to let VY be himself.

after watching some Longhorn Network All-Access, it is so unbelievably apparent to me that for the first time in almost two decades, we have a coaching staff that can take us where we want to be. Damn, coaching makes a difference. it’s so easy to say that. Doing it is something else.

Imagine what our world will look like with coaching and access to the talent that will come play for these coaches.

I am very excited for the first time in a long time.

 

[HuffTex]

I loved Mack. But I believe we won that NC with an amazing roster of talent and the willingness to let VY be himself.

after watching some Longhorn Network All-Access, it is so unbelievably apparent to me that for the first time in almost two decades, we have a coaching staff that can take us where we want to be. Damn, coaching makes a difference. it’s so easy to say that. Doing it is something else.

Imagine what our world will look like with coaching and access to the talent that will come play for these coaches.

I am very excited for the first time in a long time.

All due respect, but Mack didn't get enough credit, and as excited as I am about Sark, let's let it happen on the field first before we start anointing the staff as elite. I believe he is the right guy, and I love the staff, but we have done NOTHING yet.

I am definitely excited for Sark, this staff and this team, though. I just need to see it.

 

[BurntOrangeTux]

Mack had a talent but it wasn’t really X’s and O’s. I do believe though we should’ve won more than one Natty with all that talent. OU was a thorn in his side.

 

[ellie44]

Fair enough. I haven’t paid much attention to his public speaking, practice film or similar snippets. I watched this morning for the first time and am impressed. Yes, wins matter. Yes games matter more, but it starts with a plan, practicing and building. And I love what I see so far. But your point is well taken.

and Mack’s NC team was sick. The talent was simply other worldly

 

[THookem]

Great players make great coaches.

 

[coltmccoy12]

Great players make great coaches.

Great coaches also make great players

 

[MikeCorleone]

This board is awesome. The dude who talks a good game is a legend, compared to the guy who brought us a title.

 

[zbill]

All due respect, but Mack didn't get enough credit, and as excited as I am about Sark, let's let it happen on the field first before we start anointing the staff as elite. I believe he is the right guy, and I love the staff, but we have done NOTHING yet.

I am definitely excited for Sark, this staff and this team, though. I just need to see it.

Mack immediately stopped the talent drain out of state. He kept most Texas studs at home and that is why he won.

 

[SparkHorn]

Mack knew how to recruit the most important position on the field which is QB.

Simms, VY, and McCoy all in a row with only Mock’s one season as off and on starter with VY interrupting that.

Once McCoy graduated Mack, the program after Mack, and our QB play haven’t been close to those years.

Look at the teams in the CFB playoffs or our rivals up north and you will see a similar pattern.

Outstanding QB play from practically all future first round NFL draft picks.

We haven’t had a QB get drafted in a decade. In a state that has the most NFL starting QBs every year.

Sark is going to change that eventually.

 

[ellie44]

This board is awesome. The dude who talks a good game is a legend, compared to the guy who brought us a title.

No. Misread. I loved Mack and and he is a legend to me. Never said Sark was a legend. Those are your words. I just expressed excitement.

 

[hookemtr]

Great coaches also make great players

Username checks out

 

[MikeCorleone]

No. Misread. I loved Mack and and he is a legend to me. Never said Sark was a legend. Those are your words. I just expressed excitement.

And Mack has mega scoreboard over Sark as a head coach so far.

Mack’s team lost like three home games between 2000-2009. That is ****ing awesome coaching.

 

[ellie44]

And Mack has mega scoreboard over Sark as a head coach so far.

Mack’s team lost like three home games between 2000-2009. That is ****ing awesome coaching.

Yes it was. I am not belittling Mack nor his coaching. I am simply saying that I believe this staff can develop and scheme. I do believe that Mack was a special coach in a variety of ways. I am simply saying that I believe Sark and his staff is VERY different than the last two regimes SINCE Mack.

 

[DKR-3rings]

I honestly think this is the best array of coaches we ever had in every sport both men’s and women’s at one time. Football, Baskeball (M&W), Baseball, Softball, T&F, Golf, VB, etc...

 

[Hbacker]

I honestly think this is the best array of coaches we ever had in every sport both men’s and women’s at one time. Football, Baskeball (M&W), Baseball, Softball, T&F, Golf, VB, etc...

Hard to argue that. Though losing Reese was a big blow to the lineup. I wouldn’t want to be the guy who follows that guy.

 

[PreamoHorn]

Mack had a talent but it wasn’t really X’s and O’s. I do believe though we should’ve won more than one Natty with all that talent. OU was a thorn in his side.

Mack is seriously underrated as a game day coach. His record in close games is phenomenal. His special teams were the best in college football for a decade. Better than Beamer at VT, who is a legend. Mack was the Daddy.

 

[texasd11]

We need more talent to fit with this staff. We are lacking big time in a lot of areas.

 

[losthorn]

Mack had a talent but it wasn’t really X’s and O’s. I do believe though we should’ve won more than one Natty with all that talent. OU was a thorn in his side.

That staff changes the offense to a zone-read to fit VY. UT is where other programs came to learn about this offense. It was a great scheme that at times suffered due to poor play calling, but still set all kinds of records.

It was definitely an elite x and o scheme.

 

[Schloss2Texas]

All due respect, but Mack didn't get enough credit, and as excited as I am about Sark, let's let it happen on the field first before we start anointing the staff as elite. I believe he is the right guy, and I love the staff, but we have done NOTHING yet.

I am definitely excited for Sark, this staff and this team, though. I just need to see it.

Good post

 

[Iceman]

Mack was a B+ coach and an A+ recruiter. I've never understood those that treat recruiting like it's a given. Recruiting is skill, no different than in-game management and Xs & Os. Mack was both a world-class recruiter and excellent at recruiting the right guys for his offensive and defensive systems. Unfortunately, he wasn't world-class at managing the game and the game plan. And so, coaches who were much better on gameday took advantage of this shortcoming. Hence why both Stoops and Snyder dominated him on the field, despite having less talent to work with.

 

[The Bostitch]

UNC sucked before Mack was their coach and after he left, they were good when he was there and all the sudden they're good again now that he's back. Mack went to a MNC game without VY. The lack of credit he gets around here is puzzling.

Its ok to say you think Sark is going to be good without questioning MB.

Also, to win it all you must have BOTH coaching and talent.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I always laugh at the Mack only won because he had good talent as some sort of negative, as if Mack didn’t recruit that other worldly talent that also won a lot of games.

Mack deserves every bit of credit for what his teams accomplished.

 

[BebopHorn]

I always laugh at the Mack only won because he had good talent as some sort of negative, as if Mack didn’t recruit that other worldly talent that also won a lot of games.

Mack deserves every bit of credit for what his teams accomplished.

Yes he does and he also deserves every bit of criticism for winning only 2 Big 12 titles with all that talent.

 

[BurntOrangeTux]

Mack is seriously underrated as a game day coach. His record in close games is phenomenal. His special teams were the best in college football for a decade. Better than Beamer at VT, who is a legend. Mack was the Daddy.

Mack was great with people and talent evaluation. He hired great coaches and managed the hell out the program. That’s where his value was.

 

[teenwolf76]

I honestly think this is the best array of coaches we ever had in every sport both men’s and women’s at one time. Football, Baskeball (M&W), Baseball, Softball, T&F, Golf, VB, etc...

tons to prove. especially when compared to the hardware the group that came the 40 in the late 1990s. Augie is the winningest coach in his sport and brought us 2 NCs... played for 3 more. Mack won the greatest game in the sport and a future HOFer. Barnes got us final fours.

tons of talent yes.. but thats the job in college sports too. we havent seen a repeat.. not even close ... to the success of those sports since 2009.

 

[cerjr2]

Off-season excitement is always interesting to witness.

 

[KoolMoD]

Great coaches also make great players

GOD makes BOTH! Can I get an AMEN?!💯🤘

 

[echeese]

I loved Mack. But I believe we won that NC with an amazing roster of talent and the willingness to let VY be himself.

after watching some Longhorn Network All-Access, it is so unbelievably apparent to me that for the first time in almost two decades, we have a coaching staff that can take us where we want to be. Damn, coaching makes a difference. it’s so easy to say that. Doing it is something else.

Imagine what our world will look like with coaching and access to the talent that will come play for these coaches.

I am very excited for the first time in a long time.

Sometimes we allow perception to become our reality.

Name me a coach who has won it all without great talent?

Saban? Hardly
tOSU? again, nope
Clemson?
USC in the day under Carroll or Robinson or McKay.

Get back to us on that

Mack had a talent but it wasn’t really X’s and O’s. I do believe though we should’ve won more than one Natty with all that talent. OU was a thorn in his side.

OU was a massive problem. I will also point out that his loyalty sticking with Bull Reese so long hurt. Look at the jump made when Greg Robinson showed up them Coach Boom

Mack is seriously underrated as a game day coach. His record in close games is phenomenal. His special teams were the best in college football for a decade. Better than Beamer at VT, who is a legend. Mack was the Daddy.

Now you are introducing facts.

Mack was a B+ coach and an A+ recruiter. I've never understood those that treat recruiting like it's a given. Recruiting is skill, no different than in-game management and Xs & Os. Mack was both a world-class recruiter and excellent at recruiting the right guys for his offensive and defensive systems. Unfortunately, he wasn't world-class at managing the game and the game plan. And so, coaches who were much better on gameday took advantage of this shortcoming. Hence why both Stoops and Snyder dominated him on the field, despite having less talent to work with.

Stoops did not have "less talent" than Mack. Nor did Snyder early on.

But if Mack was so "poor" at game day management, why was his record so good in close games?

Why did he almost never (till 2010 when the wheels fell off) allow 1 loss to become 2?

UNC sucked before Mack was their coach and after he left, they were good when he was there and all the sudden they're good again now that he's back. Mack went to a MNC game without VY. The lack of credit he gets around here is puzzling.

Its ok to say you think Sark is going to be good without questioning MB.

Also, to win it all you must have BOTH coaching and talent.

He took UNC to back to back Top 5 finishes. After he left, it would be 20 years before UNC would finish ranked.

Mack was great with people and talent evaluation. He hired great coaches and managed the hell out the program. That’s where his value was.

So the Nick Saban model?

Guess what, all great coaches are known for their staffs.

 

[ArielC]

All due respect, but Mack didn't get enough credit, and as excited as I am about Sark, let's let it happen on the field first before we start anointing the staff as elite. I believe he is the right guy, and I love the staff, but we have done NOTHING yet.

I am definitely excited for Sark, this staff and this team, though. I just need to see it.

I'm like you,show me. We've got a nightmare schedule so we'll know very quickly

 

[eastexbigeasy]

I loved Mack. But I believe we won that NC with an amazing roster of talent and the willingness to let VY be himself.

after watching some Longhorn Network All-Access, it is so unbelievably apparent to me that for the first time in almost two decades, we have a coaching staff that can take us where we want to be. Damn, coaching makes a difference. it’s so easy to say that. Doing it is something else.

Imagine what our world will look like with coaching and access to the talent that will come play for these coaches.

I am very excited for the first time in a long time.

Agree that we have multiple elite coaches. VERY excited to see how this works out.... elite coaches with a mixture of elite recruiters is a VERY exciting prospect

 

[dwinky]

I always laugh at the Mack only won because he had good talent as some sort of negative, as if Mack didn’t recruit that other worldly talent that also won a lot of games.

Mack deserves every bit of credit for what his teams accomplished.

We were one unlucky play (Tech) from playing for another natty and one unwise play (Bama) from winning another natty. Only the Good Lord knows how either of those plays potentially changed the future of both Texas and Bama. My brain still winces at the thought of McCoy running at the goal line.

 

[Fansong77]

Great players make great coaches.

It's coincidental that the best coaches have the best talent.

 

[Trent's Dad]

Mack was a B+ coach and an A+ recruiter. I've never understood those that treat recruiting like it's a given. Recruiting is skill, no different than in-game management and Xs & Os. Mack was both a world-class recruiter and excellent at recruiting the right guys for his offensive and defensive systems. Unfortunately, he wasn't world-class at managing the game and the game plan. And so, coaches who were much better on gameday took advantage of this shortcoming. Hence why both Stoops and Snyder dominated him on the field, despite having less talent to work with.

Truth!!!

 

[Texaswins54]

Great coaches also make great players

Rarely

 

[styrbjorn]

Great post @ellie44

I think it's silly to get into a pissing match over how much we do or don't love Mack.

Instead I'd like to start with the strawman argument that good coaches can win with subpar talent. I don't think OP (or anyone else) is saying that. Yes, you need talent to win at the highest level. You also need development, a good culture, a scheme that fits your talent, game planning that exploits your opponents' weaknesses, and in-game decision making that helps you win tight matchups. But the bottom line is that - whatever your talent looks like - you need to have the whole be greater than the sum of its parts.

In my mind, Mack did many things well and is a HOF coach and a legend. But we can all agree Stoops pretty much pantsed him every time their talent was anything near equal. His defenses were well prepared and knew what our offense was doing. His game plans were bolder and his kids played above their heads where ours tended to flinch under pressure. At some point that is on the coaching. I loved Mack, but I don't believe that the whole was greater than the sum of its parts all of the time.