Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend - Putting the T(rust) back in Texas

[I Hear Voices]

BUY or SELL: If Texas had hired James Franklin instead of Charlie Strong, he'd still be sitting comfortably as the Longhorn Head Coach?

(Buy) He’s a better head football coach than Strong. Period.

Franklin was my choice for coach because...he seemed very organized, detail oriented and had a certain zest for the game and his players. I have to believe that the cloud that hung over him - and who knows the truth of the matter from this distance - kept him from the job at Texas.

 

[Ketchum]

dont care about his political views but Barnes turned Texas into a school that shouldn't have "developmental" years. The goal EVERY year should be to win in March.

Rick's coaching job was in year one, but even then he lost in the first round of the tournament.

He didn't make the Sweet 16 until year four.

He was left a roster that included a young Chris Mihm, Kris Clack, Chico Vasquez, Gabe Muoneke, Ivan Wagoner, three of whom were available in year two.

 

[Ketchum]

For those who were around when DKR was hired may remember that he did not go out and hire a smorgasbord of big resumes for his assistants. He brought in his guys for the most part and that contributed to his almost immediate success. Most of his hires were with him for years. Big resumes equals big egos and in many cases does not equate to staff harmony.
Charlie's problems were a lot deeper than his staff choices.

were big name assistants even a thing in the 50s?

 

[Ketchum]

???????????
I don't respect their point of view. I don't care that they probably don't respect mine. We can peaceably co-exist by ignoring each other. What's the big deal?

That's pretty much a horrible personal ideology IMO. It's incredibly divisive. I would also suggest that there's a slippery slope in "ignoring each other".

 

[benflr]

I meant to mention that you need a shout out to the women's volleyball team. 5 straight final fours! That's an incredible accomplishment.

 

[Ketchum]

In one spot, Ketch says youth wasn't an excuse for Herman, but when it comes to Shaka, Ketchum says youth is a legit excuse. It is or isn't it? ESPN reported that Michigan had 43 seniors this season, and Penn State had 18 seniors among its starting 22. Based on those 2 examples, it would appear that inheriting a team with enough quality upperclass players can be very beneficial to a coach's early success, particularly in football. It also gives us hope for Herman, because few can argue that Strong left more talent on the roster at Texas than our HOF coach did.

One also has to wonder if Herman was able to get by playing younger OL starters because of other factors. The ability of Greg Ward to evade rushers and extend plays where other QBs would've been sacked may be the single biggest attribute of the UH offense. One also has to wonder whether UH's schedule across a 12-week season was as demanding on young O-lineman as the level of competition that Texas faces.

You are comparing apples to grapes.

On another note, Herman was able to lift the play of almost every player in the program. Were few guys were ready-made when he showed up, especially Greg Ward. Tony Levine left him stuff to work with and he turned it into a champion very quickly.

I also don't know that UT's schedule was all that much more difficult than Houston's.

Outside of Oklahoma, which Houston beat, there's not much in the Big 12 that was better than the best in the American conference.

 

[PaulieD]

What evidence do we have involving Herman's two years at Houston that establish that he "holds staff accountable"?

We can give TH the benefit of the doubt but we need to acknowledge that we are doing so based on hope and not a long track record of success. This is not Michigan hiring Harbaugh or OSU hiring Meyer.

CS was hired on pretty much the same resume as TH. Both of them have hired staff they are familiar with. Let's hope TH does better than CS. CS brought in an old group of ass't coaches and TH is bringing in a young group of ass't coaches. If UT goes 6-6 next year the pressure will likely be on TH to change some ass't coaches. TH is betting on himself and his friends just like CS did. Hopefully it works out better for us fans this time.

I don't have metrics to support it, so I will give you that - it's more of a feeling - I guess I will have to just trust Tom Herman, and that based on who was available and the analysis of his tenure at previous schools that he was the way to go.

 

[Ketchum]

I meant to mention that you need a shout out to the women's volleyball team. 5 straight final fours! That's an incredible accomplishment.

I agree. I failed.

 

[benflr]

I agree. I failed.

Still time to make amends ☺️

 

[Ketchum]

Arrival was terrific.

 

[Ketchum]

Franklin was my choice for coach because...he seemed very organized, detail oriented and had a certain zest for the game and his players. I have to believe that the cloud that hung over him - and who knows the truth of the matter from this distance - kept him from the job at Texas.

His offense was viewed as a concern.

 

[PaulieD]

I agree. I failed.

I'm having another one of those days where I closely resemble your avatar ;-)

 

[Fatty Goodlander]

I'll make a correction for you: we will not be seeing Manziel "grow up". We will be seeing him grow old.
Not sure he ever grows up.

At the rate he's going, I'm not sure he's around long enough to grow OLD either.

 

[I Hear Voices]

His offense was viewed as a concern.

I did not know that. What I saw was a Vanderbilt program that won games and had the fan base and players excited. Under his leadership, they were competitive. From Wikipedia I offer the following:

"Franklin led Vanderbilt to a bowl game all three of his seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt, a team that had never previously participated in a bowl game in consecutive seasons. In his second season (2012), the Commodores finished 9–4 and ranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948 (and the first ranking in any week since 2008). It was just the third nine-win season in school history. Additionally, Vanderbilt's fifteen combined wins in Franklin's first two years in charge was the Commodores' highest total since 1926–1927.[11] In his third season at Vanderbilt, the Commodores again finished 9–4 and were ranked in the AP and USA TODAY top 25 poll. Franklin finished his Vanderbilt career with a record of 24–15 (an average of 8 wins per year)."

 

[Gus McCrea]

Yeah, I think you're an extreme minority with that position.

Tell me what you liked about it.

GM

 

[Ketchum]

I'm having another one of those days where I closely resemble your avatar ;-)

I have them all the time. It's why it's my avatar.

 

[Ketchum]

Tell me what you liked about it.

GM

About Manchester by the Sea?

* The acting in the movie was terrific. I'm a Case Affleck fan and I thought he gave a superstar's performance. The entire cast was stellar.

* The directing and the story was outstanding. When the biggest reveal of the movie is made, it answered the biggest question in the movie and it just punched me in the gut.

* Without giving away any spoilers, the movie doesn't bend to a heart-warming conclusion. It's real.

* It's an emotional powerhouse.

From Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who gave it 4 out of 4 stars:

"You can't really prepare yourself for the emotional powerhouse that is Manchester by the Sea. And you shouldn't let big-mouth critics and friends tell you too much about what's ahead in writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's transcendent benchmark. No film this year has moved me more with its humor, heart and humanity.

 

[Ketchum]

I did not know that. What I saw was a Vanderbilt program that won games and had the fan base and players excited. Under his leadership, they were competitive. From Wikipedia I offer the following:

"Franklin led Vanderbilt to a bowl game all three of his seasons as head coach at Vanderbilt, a team that had never previously participated in a bowl game in consecutive seasons. In his second season (2012), the Commodores finished 9–4 and ranked in both the Associated Press and USA Today end-of-season coaches' top 25 for the first time since 1948 (and the first ranking in any week since 2008). It was just the third nine-win season in school history. Additionally, Vanderbilt's fifteen combined wins in Franklin's first two years in charge was the Commodores' highest total since 1926–1927.[11] In his third season at Vanderbilt, the Commodores again finished 9–4 and were ranked in the AP and USA TODAY top 25 poll. Franklin finished his Vanderbilt career with a record of 24–15 (an average of 8 wins per year)."

The job he did at Vandy was stunning.

 

[vbrown19]

Wait one damn minute, James Franklin being a better coach than Charlie is debatable. No where near a a foregone conclusion. I don't Remember any James Franklin team that could come close to Strong at Louisville.

 

[Ketchum]

Wait one damn minute, James Franklin being a better coach than Charlie is debatable. No where near a a foregone conclusion. I don't Remember any James Franklin team that could come close to Strong at Louisville.

No, it's really not.

One has never been above one game over .500 in a season without a first round quarterback. The other has built his success on never having such a thing.

 

[benflr]

No, it's really not.

One has never been above one game over .500 in a season without a first round quarterback. The other has built his success on never having such a thing.

Plus consider the level of competition. Franklin coached in the SEC when it was much better than it is now.
Consider the teams Louisville played. There in lies the answer.

 

[Gus McCrea]

About Manchester by the Sea?

* The acting in the movie was terrific. I'm a Case Affleck fan and I thought he gave a superstar's performance. The entire cast was stellar.

* The directing and the story was outstanding. When the biggest reveal of the movie is made, it answered the biggest question in the movie and it just punched me in the gut.

* Without giving away any spoilers, the movie doesn't bend to a heart-warming conclusion. It's real.

* It's an emotional powerhouse.

From Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who gave it 4 out of 4 stars:

"You can't really prepare yourself for the emotional powerhouse that is Manchester by the Sea. And you shouldn't let big-mouth critics and friends tell you too much about what's ahead in writer-director Kenneth Lonergan's transcendent benchmark. No film this year has moved me more with its humor, heart and humanity.

Thanks. I cannot argue with any of that especially point 2. But, for some reason neither my wife or I liked it much. We saw it yesterday and I am still thinking about it though.

GM

 

[I Hear Voices]

The other has built his success on never having such a thing.

No, it's really not.

One has never been above one game over .500 in a season without a first round quarterback. The other has built his success on never having such a thing.

And that's what really got my attention. If Franklin could do that at Vanderbilt - the Harvard of the South - what could he do at Texas? I thought it would have been a good move by Texas to hire the guy. Plus, he is a high energy guy that get's others - including his players - excited about football and being the best.

 

[sodiumacetate]

I liked arrival but didn't think it was the best Movie I've seen this year. That would be Hacksaw Ridge. Moana is probably my second choice.

 

[hookembass]

To some degree. It's hard not to notice this was the path Charlie chose.

Someone else may have brought this up already but one of the biggest issues Charlie had with his hiring was when he hired Wickline. At first everyone seemed to love that hire and it was at the very least outside of Charlie's known posse. However, Wickline never fit with the program or with the other coaches apparently. Perhaps he was sold a bill of goods that was not delivered on but whatever the case it was not a good fit and it cost us. I guess that also helps to not only trust Herman but to be thankful when he hires people that he knows fit into what he wants to do.

 

[c'est la vie]

@Ketchum

I was surprised at just how good "Hell or High Water" was. I haven't seen the ones you listed before it, but "Manchester by the Sea" looks really good.

Hook'em

 

[marka1]

Coaches have pressure every year. Shaka will have pressure from his bosses but that pressure will not include having to worry about losing his job.

 

[Other Barry]

I haven't done that one yet. I'll do it next week.

The Vince Guaraldi Peanuts Xmas album plus Christmas in Hollis. Done.

 

[Ketchum]

Thanks. I cannot argue with any of that especially point 2. But, for some reason neither my wife or I liked it much. We saw it yesterday and I am still thinking about it though.

GM

It's a movie that is begging for a different ending, but the fact that they didn't leave a ribbon and bow on it is part of what I liked. It was haunting throughout and then it ends without giving us our sugar.

I'm not sure the "like" is the emotion it wants to give us.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum

I was surprised at just how good "Hell or High Water" was. I haven't seen the ones you listed before it, but "Manchester by the Sea" looks really good.

Hook'em

It's not a romantic comedy... just a warning.

 

[Ketchum]

Someone else may have brought this up already but one of the biggest issues Charlie had with his hiring was when he hired Wickline. At first everyone seemed to love that hire and it was at the very least outside of Charlie's known posse. However, Wickline never fit with the program or with the other coaches apparently. Perhaps he was sold a bill of goods that was not delivered on but whatever the case it was not a good fit and it cost us. I guess that also helps to not only trust Herman but to be thankful when he hires people that he knows fit into what he wants to do.

except Wickline had worked with Strong before at Florida and there was thought to be a relationship there that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[c'est la vie]

It's not a romantic comedy... just a warning.

Is it a tragedy in a Greek Literature sort of way?

Hook'em

 

[txfight]

Southwest Texas says hello

That is a GREAT observation!

 

[UT_TheUniversity]

Wish Herman would offer Terrell Bernard - La Porte HS who is currently committed to UofH (gave his commitment while Herman was at UofH).

Bernard loves loves football and will never be outworked and playing at a high level every snap is very important to him. He's a streal as a 3-star IMO.

 

[LonghornBuc]

who is giving him a free pass? You just made that up.

Good, than lets talk about Herman competing for the B12 title in 2017, not 2018.