Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend (It's time for Tom Herman to be elite...)

[Ketchum]

Quick...name the asst coaches you would keep on staff for next year...Herb Hand? Maybe Beck for recruiting and QB coach??

Anyone else? That's a major fu&*ing indictment on a guy making $5+ million/year, who's supposed to be "elite"...

I'd add Jason Washington.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum Knowing the outcome of the game, do you think TH still suspends Eagles for the entire game?

Yes.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum many thanks for the blurb (love that word) about the volleyball program

for anyone who might be interested, a quick look at the remaining schedule....


halfway through the big12 conference and Texas has all of its major goals still on the table

1) win the big12
2) earn the privilege of hosting a regional
3) win the ncaas

i view the remaining schedule as 3 challenges

1st challenge:
at tech on october 30th
home vs wvu on nov. 3rd
at ou on nov. 8th

2nd challenge:
home vs. kstate nov 13th
home vs. tcu nov. 16th
at baylor nov. 20th

3rd challenge:
home vs. kansas nov. 23rd
at iowa state nov. 30th

you'll notice that each challenge ends with a tough road match....the 3 most difficult matches (on paper) left on the schedule.

if Texas finishes 8-0 in the 2nd half, they win the big12 and host a regional
if Texas finishes 7-1 with the loss at baylor, they are big12 co-champs (assuming baylor wins out) and very likely host a regional
if Texas finishes 7-1 with the loss not at baylor, they are big12 champs and very likely host a regional

for anything else outside of 7-1, Texas will have some issues. hosting a regional would depend on what other teams are doing.

we shall see

Great post!

 

[Ketchum]

Belichick was fired once or twice along the way. Whether that was part of the learning curve or not, who knows, but he did get fired.

I know. That was my point.

 

[cooleyo]

Herman is just a bad coach. A good coach:

1. Adopts a scheme to fit his playmakers--not the other way around.
2. Designs game plans that leverage strengths, exploit weaknesses, and isn't predictable.
3. Plays his playmakers and gets them the ball.
4. Hires great coaches and demands elite performance in all three phases of the game.
5. Wins.
6. Recruits.
7. Represents the program well.

Hermans fails on too many items on the above list.

It will cost the program far more than $20 million in ticket sales, clothing sales, and television/conference revenues to keep Herman as compared to replacing him now. Go get a coach that does the above seven items, and let's become Texas Football once again.

That sounds awesome!! So, umm, who?

There is a weird vibe about this Herman regime. At the end of the Charlie Stong tenure it felt like there were still a big group on here that wanted him to have another year BUT with Tom it feels like its already at 80% to 20% to fire him. Is it that we're just so sick of underachieving or is it his arrogant personality that has turned the tide against him so fast?

You’ve got to be kidding... You mean 80% of the idoits on this board who have never set foot on the Texas campus? In that case, I agree. But among the fanbase in general? I promise you there aren’t more than 10% who think that at this juncture, Tom Herman should be fired.

 

[Ketchum]

It’s horrible, I’ve been saying this for 3 years. RBs have no chance when they are at a stand still with safeties and lbs flying at them. Just awful.

It doesn't help that they reveal run/pass based on the running back depth in the backfield. A smart opposing defender can identify run/pass on almost every play based on running back depth. If Ingram/Johnson are lined up with next to Sam (within a yard), you can expect a play-action fake and a pass. If he lines up deeper than that, it's a run.

Almost every time.

 

[Ketchum]

He’s been okay, but he hasn’t really owned the field. Had some real up and down play.

This is not to say that he’s not talented.

The LBs need better coaching.

Owning the field?

You gotta walk before you run.

 

[Ketchum]

Vader going full badass in Rogue One is easily a top 5 moment Ketch.

10. Luke confronts Kylo Ren

Music was great and it was so badass to see Luke (Even a Force projection of Luke) standing alone against an army. Plus his dialogue was great at the end. "The Rebellion is reborn today. The war is just beginning and I will not be the Last Jedi."

9. Yoda appears to Luke on Ach-Too

I just love it when Yoda shows up and drops some knowledge on Luke. "Time for you to look past a pile of old books"

8. The opening scene of New Hope.

I never saw New Hope in the theater but even watching it at home on VHS as a kid that scene with the Star Destroyer rolling in and the music was just incredible.

7. Rey and Kylo fight the Praetorians

Hate on Last Jedi all you want but that fight was ****ing awesome.

6. Duel with Darth Maul

Excellent fight all the way around and "Duel of the Fates" may be the best peice John Williams ever came up with in his career.

5. Palpatine declares the creation of the Empire

"The Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!"

4. Anakin vs. Obi-Wan

Easily the greatest lightsaber battle in all of Star Wars.

3. Luke destroys the Death Star

A truly iconic scene in cinema history. From Han showing up at the last second to the music building up to the ultimate moment (Seriously John Williams is the best composer of his generation) that scene is perfect in nearly everyway

2. "No, I am your father"

One of the best plot twists ever.

1. Yoda raises Luke's X-Wing from the swamp on Dagobah

To me this was the best scene in all of Star Wars. The music again is excellent but most importantly it is where Lucas shows off what the Force is capable of and the power that frail little Yoda can command.

Good stuff. How do you leave out the cantina scene or pretty much anything with Han?

 

[Ketchum]

Good column. Patterson proved once again what a well-coached, highly motivated, team can do. Our guys looked like they were getting ready to do the laundry. No fire, no passion, no concern.

Herman has had a few of these types of games in his career as a head coach, even at Houston.

 

[Ketchum]

The Sugar Bowl win might've been the worst thing for the program for the 2019 season. The false bravado it instilled wasn't healthy. Herman likely was convinced his methods were infallible.

I have considered that as well, weirdly.

 

[Ketchum]

Frustrated fans like to believe the AD is going to demand staff changes. Longhorn websites will be wild with speculation about who's getting fired and who are the replacement candidates. Some fans will have fantasies of CDC pounding the table, and ordering Herman to restructure his staff or else. Unfortunately, that $27.5MM extension CDC gave Herman after only 2 seasons pretty much gives Herman the leverage.

Most likely, the diplomatic CDC will ask Herman to walk him through the underlying issues with the program. At some point, Herman will advise that he's been contemplating certain staff changes, and will tell CDC which replacements he prefers. CDC will then ask how he can help and the changeover process will begin. All we can do as fans is hope those in charge at Texas make better decisions than they have for the past 25 years.

bingo. I'm reminded of the time after year one when multiple sites were reporting Beck was going to get bounced and when we reported that wasn't the plan, folks shot and didn't believe the messenger.

 

[Dualthreat]

(Sell) I'm selling if you mean replace him at the end of this season because I don't think the Longhorns athletic department is ready to make that kind of change. I don't think Chris Del Conte and those that would help him vet a new coach have so much as given it a single thought at this point, which means that a change now might result in Texas getting caught with its pants down, while still owning Herman more than 20 million. Call it whatever you want, but Texas doesn't live in a world where eating 20+ million dollars right after eating Charlie Strong's final two years. What needs to happen is that Del Conte and Co. need to get their ducks in a row, while giving Herman his fourth season, which would allow his first recruiting class to enter its senior season. If you're going to make a change, you have to know what your next five moves on the chess board are and I don't believe Texas knows what its first chess move would make at this stage. Man, I know where you're coming from... trust me, I do... but I'm just not convinced the landscape is quite ready for that.

CDC has gone 22 months in the job without making a list of successors to CTH and / or updating that list? And done nothing to anticipate having to fund a buyout of coaches like CTH, CSS, or other Head Coaches?

 

[anon_v7x9c7xxmv5dr]

Good stuff. How do you leave out the cantina scene or pretty much anything with Han?

Han had some really great scenes and I do like the cantina scene but there are scenes I think are better and honestly limiting to just 10 is really hard. I mean I pretty much just decided to use only scenes from the saga films and left off my favorites from Rogue One and Solo and it was still hard to choose just 10 despite there being 3 scenes in Rogue One that could easily make a top 10 list.

 

[Ketchum]

You’ve got to be kidding... You mean 80% of the idoits on this board who have never set foot on the Texas campus? In that case, I agree. But among the fanbase in general? I promise you there aren’t more than 10% who think that at this juncture, Tom Herman should be fired.

I think your math is flawed in multiple ways.

 

[Ketchum]

CDC has gone 22 months in the job without making a list of successors to CTH and / or updating that list? And done nothing to anticipate having to fund a buyout of coaches like CTH, CSS, or other Head Coaches?

Not even close to his highest priority. They literally just extended him.

 

[cooleyo]

I think your math is flawed in multiple ways.

Good talk, Russ.

 

[PaulieD]

It doesn't help that they reveal run/pass based on the running back depth in the backfield. A smart opposing defender can identify run/pass on almost every play based on running back depth. If Ingram/Johnson are lined up with next to Sam (within a yard), you can expect a play-action fake and a pass. If he lines up deeper than that, it's a run.

Almost every time.

So, next question - if you see this, and obviously other teams see this - why do we continue to do this???

 

[CAPITOLHORN]

Maybe your best top ten list yet...and spot on about CTH! Are you elite or aren’t you?!? Only he can answer that question...because all he got Saturday was peter slapped by a better X’s and O’s coach the entire second half!

 

[Dualthreat]

Honestly, who is elite?

So now Saban's not elite either? Riley isn't elite? Urban Meyer isn't / never was elite? Bear Bryant wasn't elite either, right? Knute Rockne? Tom Osborne? Bud Wilkinson? Woody Hayes? Bobby Bowden? Darrell Royal?

Bill Belichick now isn't elite? Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells?

There have always been elite football coaches. There's guys not on that list that may be elite as well.

 

[EdSimmonsPants]

This program needs Tom Herman to be elite. Right now. No excuses.

Serious question: Have we seen any credible evidence that CTH is or can be elite?

 

[Dualthreat]

Not even close to his highest priority. They literally just extended him.

Question had NOTHING to do with highest priorities. In 22 months an AD's done a BUTTLOAD of things not remotely near highest priorities.

Certain things you do despite the percentage likelihood of needing to do them today. You prepare for the eventualities. That's smart in EVERY field, not just being an AD.

The extension was a MISTAKE at that time, CDC's only clear misstep to date, IMO. Hardly an argument for NOT preparing for eventualities.

IMOs.

 

[EdSimmonsPants]

.. This is how it's not done.

This is Longhorn level special teams

 

[65HornInTacoma]

​

On most occasions, a perfectly average train conductor will get the job done, but on occasions when the train is out of control and danger reaches its zenith, the Sully Sullenberger of train conductors is needed because the moment at hand doesn't demand excuses. Instead, it requires elite decision-making and instincts.​

Thomas was cross....

 

[Ketchum]

Good talk, Russ.

Thanks, Audrey.

 

[Ketchum]

So, next question - if you see this, and obviously other teams see this - why do we continue to do this???

I dunno. I've been talking about it for multiple seasons. Seriously, pay attention to it against Kansas State.

 

[Ketchum]

Serious question: Have we seen any credible evidence that CTH is or can be elite?

I think there have been occasional glimpses, but not consistent.

 

[Ketchum]

Question had NOTHING to do with highest priorities. In 22 months an AD's done a BUTTLOAD of things not remotely near highest priorities.

Certain things you do despite the percentage likelihood of needing to do them today. You prepare for the eventualities. That's smart in EVERY field, not just being an AD.

The extension was a MISTAKE at that time, CDC's only clear misstep to date, IMO. Hardly an argument for NOT preparing for eventualities.

IMOs.

I'm just telling you that from my perspective, I'd be surprised if he's beyond step one in any change preparations.

I think it's a myth that ADs keep a list of five names handy at all times.

 

[65HornInTacoma]

@Ketchum AWESOME Star Wars list. It is hard to argue with any of those but I would have to find a spot for the first time we see Yoda fight. You didnt know what to expect, but you knew as he walked into the room that Yoda was about to kick some major ass.

 

[RLong68]

I'm just telling you that from my perspective, I'd be surprised if he's beyond step one in any change preparations.

I think it's a myth that ADs keep a list of five names handy at all times.

People have really missed some early signals from CDC.

 

[PaulieD]

I dunno. I've been talking about it for multiple seasons. Seriously, pay attention to it against Kansas State.

will do sir.

 

[Dualthreat]

I'm just telling you that from my perspective, I'd be surprised if he's beyond step one in any change preparations.

I think it's a myth that ADs keep a list of five names handy at all times.

I guess I've always been a planner / preparer. And enjoy the benefits of having been so. Maybe it would just be me that had made preparations. JMOs. Thanks for your responses.

 

[lightthetower0510]

Many great points in here. Our expectations for TH were way too high. My first thoughts on the guy is that he is very immature for his age and he is very arrogant. These traits are why he cant admit mistakes, be it to the medai, or the public generally. Everything from game decisions, to player decisions and especially to the coaches he picked. We shall see how this effects his future very soon. He either upgrades his staff, or he never has an elite program.

That said, I felt TH did mature some last year. He was less defensive, admitted he was being an unecessary dick to the players and made communication improvements internally to where criticism was possible from the bottom up. So hopefully he continues to grow as a head coach. He has move very fast in the past few years, and it shows in his insecurity of where he is. He can still grow into his current position, and he may not. No one knows but him.

Only nitipick with your post is the injury excuse. Sam, healthy, OL, healthy. DL, healthy. Those were the thin parts of the team we couldnt lose anyone. WR and especially DB, lots of bodies. Cook Jamison, etc are sophs, and were top talents in the nation. They damn sure should be ready to play. They would have been starters in most teams in our conference. They just have weak coaching.

You're talking about Coach Washington being a weak coach, but you'd be hard pressed to find anybody on this site trashing him before this year.

Jamison was on offense last year. Montrell Estelle and Tyler Owens weren't expected to see the field much, if any this year, and they played nearly the entire TCU game.

We've been bad and Washington, Naivar, and Co. deserve much of the blame, but let's not act like we're aren't on the third depth chart option all over the secondary for the past three games.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum AWESOME Star Wars list. It is hard to argue with any of those but I would have to find a spot for the first time we see Yoda fight. You didnt know what to expect, but you knew as he walked into the room that Yoda was about to kick some major ass.

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I definitely considered it. It was tough to leave out a number of scenes. I had 20 written down last night.

 

[Ketchum]

I guess I've always been a planner / preparer. And enjoy the benefits of having been so. Maybe it would just be me that had made preparations. JMOs. Thanks for your responses.

I could easily be wrong, but this is seriously a surprise for everyone in the various buildings.

 

[Ketchum]

You're talking about Coach Washington being a weak coach, but you'd be hard pressed to find anybody on this site trashing him before this year.

Jamison was on offense last year. Montrell Estelle and Tyler Owens weren't expected to see the field much, if any this year, and they played nearly the entire TCU game.

We've been bad and Washington, Naivar, and Co. deserve much of the blame, but let's not act like we're aren't on the third depth chart option all over the secondary for the past three games.

Washington has been sensational for four years running before this year. He gets a get out of jail card from me.