Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend (Does a splash OC even exist?)

[UTexas2488]

2 things-

1. Ketch's post doesn't even allude to the possibility of Strong being out despite many supposed well-connected insiders communicating that he's in danger. I found that interesting. I understand Belmont at this point is saying he's back, but I can't help but feel there's more to this story.

2. It seems much easier to find a DC if you are an offensive oriented HC than it is for a defensive oriented coach to find an OC. This is likely in large part due to the fact that so many programs are willing to hire OCs as HC (diluting the market of star OC choices). It's no secret that offensive coaches have had more success than defensive coaches over the last few seasons.

 

[HookemChargers]

@Ketchum if you were the HC, what would your offensive staff look like?

OC
OL
RB
TE
WR

Nice question.

 

[Hashtag GetHooked]

Is there really an elite of the elite, slam-dunk hire out there to be had?

I think an elite OC hire can also be the head coach. For me, all roads point to Tom Herman to take over for Charlie. The head coaching position and the OC position are essentially taken care of with one hire.

 

[I Hear Voices]

Man, you have to wonder what would have happened for the Longhorns had Charlie Strong hired Riley like so many people on Orangebloods wanted him to do two years ago…

I have thought about this often. We (he) just missed the boat. Hot is hot and if your eyes are on the ball so to speak, you strike quickly and grab somebody for your staff that will make you look really smart.

Good write up. You and I both have a lot of films to watch.

 

[tamarahorn]

@Ketchum ,
What about a guy like Scott Frost the Oregon OC? He was at Nebraska, KState, and northern Iowa before going to Oregon and he's been there 3 years now and is consistently high in all the offensive stats.

 

[Hashtag GetHooked]

Such a disaster that we are talking OC.

If Strong s back, wake me up next December.

It will be an interesting year. I'll watch all the games. (that's what I do)
Watching games with no expectations is something I haven't done since the 90's.

 

[Joe Longhorn]

Does Strong's track record of development at Louisville mean nothing?

Fair point. But given what I've see the past 2 years on Off & Def, I have a hard time putting much faith in the current coaching staff. This place clearly is a different animal from Louisville.

I was on the Give Charlie Time Bandwagon until Iowa St game. He and his staff lost me with that inexplicable treasure of a performance.

 

[Mi Rey]

Klitschko / Fury was the kind of fight that is killing boxing. Not sure what happened to the great heavyweight fights. Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe, Holmes, Ali, Frazier all fought like warriors. They were great for the game. These two guys did as close to nothing as I've seen in a heavyweight title fight. Too bad.

 

[Hashtag GetHooked]

Fair point. But given what I've see the past 2 years on Off & Def, I have a hard time putting much faith in the current coaching staff. This place clearly is a different animal from Louisville.

I was on the Give Charlie Time Bandwagon until Iowa St game. He and his staff lost me with that inexplicable treasure of a performance.

Same here. That game just took it out of me.

 

[Txhorns10]

Ketch, do you think its possible charlie doesn't hire a oc at all and stays with norvell? Asking because some people seem to actually believe this. Also, Creed will change your thoughts. Great movie

 

[tjhooker67]

Does Strong's track record of development at Louisville mean nothing?

Yes, it means absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters is his track record here at Texas which is also nothing. The dude has been a colossal failure and needs to be fired.

 

[dalf444]

@Ketchum
I know we're at the end of season, but are we going to get video reports again in the future??? I really enjoyed those.

 

[TCUGuy]

@Ketchum do you think Boykin leaving and Texas money whipping him is enough to get him?

We will see, but with Mecham leaving things just got tougher for Texas. Cumbie will be promoted to sole OC, get a massive raise, and most importantly will have job security, something that is a big roll of the dice if you jump on the Strong bandwagon.

 

[StudRunner1]

Why does every change at Texas always start out with the recommendation to just throw out a huge sum of money and see who is tempted ? If I were a major donor and kept seeing that talk I would seriously think I needed to save some of my money.

 

[HookemChargers]

@Ketchum if you were the HC, what would your offensive staff look like?

OC
OL
RB
TE
WR

Dont know all the names but here is who I would like from schools I like those position.
OC OU or Ohio State
OL Arkansas or Miss ST
RB Georgia
TE Keep ours

 

[yosemite69]

Why does every change at Texas always start out with the recommendation to just throw out a huge sum of money and see who is tempted ? If I were a major donor and kept seeing that talk I would seriously think I needed to save some of my money.

Don't forget those donors are already pissed that (a) they weren't included in Patterson's process and (b) that they'll be asked to pay for CS' and the new OC's buyout next year. I don't see many BMDs throwing good money after bad on the CS investment. They'd rather use it to buy them out to usher in a new coaching staff IF they're excited about them.

 

[Hook 'em Danno]

Guaranteeing 7 figures over multiple years for an OC to essentially dig his lame duck HC out of the hole he's dug for himself is the epitome of throwing good money after bad. Keep in mind we're still paying Mack. We still have another years worth of salary to pay to the current offensive staff we're about to replace, plus the 2 who were replaced last year.

I realize that's how this whole charade is going to play out, but good lord. Even Jerry Jones would get a kick out of our spending habits.

Exactly. If we aren't willing to eat Strong's contract I really don't see us throwing the kind of money we claim to have but aren't willing to spend at an Elite OC. The guarantees will be limited for the next 12 months.

 

[Hook 'em Danno]

Does Strong's track record of development at Louisville mean nothing?

Tired of this being the go to explanation of why we hired him and will keep him another year. All of that goodwill is bestowed upon another school while we shell out 5m for the clown show. So yes it means nothing.

 

[M_A_G_A]

Does Strong's track record of development at Louisville mean nothing?

Yes, it means absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters is his track record here at Texas which is also nothing. The dude has been a colossal failure and needs to be fired.

Beat me to it.

In the "what have you done for me lately" world of college football, it always means nothing from last month, let alone a few years ago.

The downward spiral encompasses clear questions of judgment and woefully slow reaction times to key issues.

I really think the man himself has accepted that he is beyond the point of no return, but must continue on with his hole cards clenched tightly, but very few blinds left in his stack.

 

[YodelingHorn]

@Ketchum, your weekly coverage of the EPL is really enjoyable. Though our loyalties could not be any more at odds (Chelsea v Liverpool), you're doing your very best to promote European soccer and I wanted you to know that this (European) transplanted American both recognizes and appreciates it. Well done!

 

[reesesonline]

If the season ended today, the Cowboys would own the fifth overall pick and here’s a look at my five favorite players for that slot.

1. DT - Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss)

There’s a good chance he won’t make it to five, but the Dallas defense needs a monster in the middle of its defensive line and Nkemdiche certainly qualifies as such.

2. WR - Laquan Treadwell (Ole Miss)

The best wide receiver in the draft would provide a serious upgrade over Terrence Williams, take pressure off of Dez Bryant and would help open up the running game.

3. CB - Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)

If the Cowboys don’t resign Morris Claiborne, a replacement at cornerback will be a major priority and it probably still will be, even if they do re-sign Claiborne.

4. QB - Jared Goff (California)

I’m not that I love Goff, but he would certainly provide the Cowboys with perhaps their best chance at an eventual replacement for Romo that fate will eventually provide.

5. DT - Andrew Billings (Baylor)

Call me crazy, but I think Billings is going to be the second-coming of St. Louis defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Maybe the Cowboys collect a future first-round pick, drop down in the draft five or six spots and select a guy who could be their anchor on defense for the next half-decade or longer.

No Vernon Hargreaves III? I like him better at CB then Ramsey, I see him more as an impact Safety. I'd like either, but in said positions. I'd be ok I guess with Goff but I just don't see any sure things at QB this year and I'd rather not waste a 1st rounder on one. A QB later on definitely.. I think Billings could possibly be around at the top of the 2nd round, where they should definitely jump on that pick. I'm really liking Alex Collins too out of Arkansas for a second or third round pick, the Cowboys really need to look at drafting a RB. I think the Cowboys will have a top 3 pick when it's all over, here's to hoping for their future losses and their opposition for the top overall pick's success lol.

 

[reesesonline]

The admin are really okay guaranteeing three years for a new OC when the odds are heavily in favor of Strong being fired at the end of 16, if he even lasts that long? That is either not true or the admin is incompetent.

You can put in the contract 3 years guaranteed as long Strong is still the HC. That's what LSU did and part of the reason why DC John Chavis left for A&M.

 

[reesesonline]

I think you're over-estimating the benefit of one off-season with the same coaches. If the coaches were that good, you would see improvement throughout this season.

I certainly didn't see much improvement, thus don't have high expectations for significant change for next season unless the coaches do something drastically different.

They're playing a bunch of true freshman and sophomores with no depth thanks to Mack, and then had to deal with injury after injury in the Texas Tech game. You're blind if you can see the amount of young talent we have on defense, and the potential of this defense becoming elite. Just needs one more good class of freshman and a year of experience and this defense is gonna be a force. Look what it did to OU, who's been DESTROYING defenses since. I'll admit that CS needs to land some talent along the D Line this recruiting class and so far it's not looking too good.

 

[reesesonline]

Does Strong's track record of development at Louisville mean nothing?

Apparently... these fans are just seeing the loss column and demanding perfection. Anyone that's actually watched game by game can see the amount of talent that's on this team. I mean, it's insane the production coming from just one recruiting class(and they're true freshman). I really hope they let CS finish what he's started, and that the high school kids see the potential of this team. This defense is going to be good, but one player that I think could take it to a good defense to an elite one is FS Brandon Jones. Texas is lacking a truly impact safety and he'd be our Earl Thomas. I really hope Texas lands him.

 

[jhogue71]

That is not going to happen.

I feel Traylor has a plan to overhaul and take the position. It bodes well for TX HS recruiting. If he trusts him 100% then he would lean that direction. I don't see an outsider holding the keys to his future. Heck give the keys to Ricky Williams and David Thomas...just sayin

 

[RLong68]

Let's not be stupid about Hasselbeck and Luck.

 

[Ketchum]

Honest question because I don't know the answer. Other than meachum/cumbie at tcu, what instances are there of bringing in a new OC/DC having a dramatic impact to save a head coach?

Will Muschamp at Texas?

 

[Ketchum]

Your original response was non-responsive. You simply said you wouldn't do it, not that you have never been asked. Cynics would twist that response to say that you answered that way to deflect from the truth that you had been asked, but refused.

BY cynics, do you mean conspiracy theorists that wouldn't believe anything I say any way?

 

[Ketchum]

Nice writing Ketch but tell me why won't Texas Brass grow some cahunas and throw the bank at the best coach and staff that money can buy? Can imagine the the media and fan frenzy that would cause if they could just see through the forest of mediocre coaches? Ticket sales and sport merchandise would set all time records I read on the other main board where UGA and LSU and USC to name a few are going after the best coaches in college football and staff that money can buy. We supposedly have the deepest pockets in all of NCAA but we make hires like amateurs. Do you think the current administration will ever hire a top Football coach or just keep settling for coordinator type guys over paying them over and over expecting different outcomes? I mean LSU was ready to cut loose Les Miles for a 9-3 Season and Mark Richt fired for the same but Texas holding on to hopes that a coach 6-7 and now 4-8 can turn it around next year?
That's so pitiful the level we have sunk to never mind all the Big 12 schools are out recruiting us too. Gheez is Bad. I'll hang up and listen.

LSU didn't show any "cahunas".

UGA is set to potentially hire Kirby Smart.

USC settled for Sark last time out.

 

[Manolo]

Will Muschamp at Texas?

Made the defense better but Colt also transformed from a turnover machine to an all-time great QB from 2007-2008 and Muschamp had nothing to do with that.

 

[Ketchum]

Keeping the defense off the field like Dallas did last year would be great. I like what OU does on offense. Run the ball 3 step drop crossing patterns, curls, outs, and timing stuff. Have you heard names for the OC? Seems like you have a clue but don't want to say anything.

stay tuned

 

[Ketchum]

YNWA

Damn skippy.

 

[Ketchum]

THIS.

Let's tie up even more money in guaranteed contracts to assts that'll need to be bought out when the HC is eventually canned in '16. When you could just save everyone a year of headaches and millions by removing Charlie next Sunday

Except that isn't going to happen at this point.

 

[Perdy]

Is the idea that Buechele might be worried about Texas going after a JUCO QB just speculation or is there something coming from his camp?

 

[Ketchum]

2 things-

1. Ketch's post doesn't even allude to the possibility of Strong being out despite many supposed well-connected insiders communicating that he's in danger. I found that interesting. I understand Belmont at this point is saying he's back, but I can't help but feel there's more to this story.

2. It seems much easier to find a DC if you are an offensive oriented HC than it is for a defensive oriented coach to find an OC. This is likely in large part due to the fact that so many programs are willing to hire OCs as HC (diluting the market of star OC choices). It's no secret that offensive coaches have had more success than defensive coaches over the last few seasons.

1. Every source I have that matters on multiple levels tells me he will return. Every rumor I've chased, from Charlie's family being unhappy to Charlie having a secret deal with Miami to everything in between has led to a dead end.

2. It's not a great market right now IMO.