Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (Sark Overload)

[Ketchum]

Really? No, really? Da-um!

Top 10 classes should be things a new Texas or Texas A&M coach can do in their sleep.

 

[Ketchum]

You inspired me:

1. Coming to America
2. Trading Places
3. Beverly Hills Cop
4. Raw
5. Delirious
6. Harlem Nights
7. 48 Hours
8. The Golden Child
9. Beverly Hills Cop 2
10. Bowfinger

That's a strong list. I ain't mad at ya.

 

[Ketchum]

Do you think Sark winning 2 Big 12 championships is more likely than 0?

I don't know,

 

[Ketchum]

What empirical / historical data supports this notion? He recruited in the 15 to 25 range (good for 4th or 5th place in the PAC) at UW and only had a couple of classes at USC.

I mean, if this was Mack Brown, I could understand the unbridled optimism. However, recruiting as an OC for Nick Saban is not the same as recruiting as the main man.

If its just a hunch / feeling, then I get it. However, the historical data doesn't support such lofty standards at face value.

One of those classes was a No.1 overall class at USC in 2015.

Besting Alabama.

 

[Ketchum]

So, you’ve been pretty bullish on Card taking the job. Do you see it as a closer race after Casey’s Alamo Bowl performance and a new staff?

Yes. Thompson's bowl game saved his Texas career IMO.

 

[Ketchum]

Good luck with creating new sources within the building sir

gracias.

 

[Ketchum]

The rest of 21 kids will be transfers? Will they have a smaller class or it wont matter because so many will just be for one year? Who is a name we did not have a shot at before but do now?

I expect to see a lot of transfers and that's what Texas should be doing,

 

[Ketchum]

How much Kool-aide have you been drinking....... ?

None yet, but my daughter discovered Kool-aid this weekend and LOVES it,.

 

[Ketchum]

Really? Cherry picking his best years?

????

 

[Ketchum]

Okay everybody can we please cut the sh*t. The only question that needs to be asked. When the hell is Bru transferring back, baby????

That would be amazing.

 

[Ketchum]

for the record Strong didn't hire Shawn Watson. Watson was his OC at Louisville and Strong planned on replacing him as OC (perhaps keep him as QB coach or WR coach) to go to a spread offense. it was Patterson who would not write the check for Chad Morris at Clemson at the time and there was a second OC Strong wanted. you may be familiar with him. Tom Herman. Herman opted to stay on Meyer's Ohio State staff as he knew Brutus Buckeye was loaded with winning a national title a very real goal. and they did just that.

Watson was basically a last choice holdover by Strong. Herman of course used that title year at Ohio State to land the Houston job which eventually propelled him to Texas.

Strong incidentally was on the short list for DC to replace Will Muskrat when he left for Florida. Brown hired Manny the SPAZ Diaz and we all know how that turned out. Diaz was at the time a legit "hot" DC after a solid run under Rick Stockstill at Middle Tennessee then Mississippi State. Diaz didn't see much spread offenses at the time in the SEC so it's not all that surprising he was over-matched in the Big 12. and by BYU. Had Brown hired Strong, his eventual replacement at Texas, the defense easily could have made 8 or 9 wins 10 or 11. would Texas have forced Brown out then? no way.

circle back to this year where Meyer, Herman's mentor, was his potential replacement at Texas. the coaching community is a smaller world than 130 programs would indicate. there is almost always some connection between seemingly disparate programs.

small world indeed.

Charlie was always going to bring Watson in. It's ridiculous to think otherwise,

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum At the end of the day, do you think the tipping point was the lack of recruiting success/momentum and ability to attract a better staff? I am trying to get there with this hire, and 100% agree change needed to happen but this is a guy who was fired at USC, then fired as the OC of the Falcons, then inherited the most talented offense in college football. He was literally fired as an OC two years ago, to the head job at Texas today. I just hope the connections he has built will lead to a kick ass staff, which does sound like is whats happening. Your Tony Elliot write-up a couple of weeks ago just seemed to have more of that upside I was hoping for.

TEOT + recruiting + TCU/OU losses = ****ed

 

[Hoss79]

I expect to see a lot of transfers and that's what Texas should be doing,

Do you think Sark understands the desperate need to hit the transfer market for OL and LB?

 

[Ketchum]

I think after the last two hires I’m gonna sit back and watch. I want to see a rock star staff...not just hear about one. I also want rock star recruiters...I don’t just wanna hear that we may try to hire one. Color me burned in the past

fair enough to say the least.

 

[Ketchum]

Do you think Sark understands the desperate need to hit the transfer market for OL and LB?

I think he will soon enough. It'll be behind Herman in that recognition upon arriving, but he's a smart cookie.

 

[RLong68]

That leaves a few more vital decisions that will likely determine Sarkisian’s success.

a. His defensive coordinator selection
b. The number of recruiting rainmakers he can hire

IMO, having previously been HC at SC, and and on Saban's staff for a few years, he almost certainly is a guy who understands the importance of a & b.

 

[Ketchum]

IMO, having previously been HC at SC, and and on Saban's staff for a few years, he almost certainly is a guy who understands the importance of a & b.

No doubt. It's one of the most encouraging things about the hire.

I'm still dismayed that Herman rebuild his staff this year and gambled that having big-time rainmakers didn't matter.

 

[RLong68]

No. 6 - A DAMN GOOD WIN!!!

Simply an unexplainable result.

 

[RLong68]

(Buy) This seems like a slam dunk. Even Bama folks seem to be bracing for the reality that Sarkisian is going to take a few staff members with him. It doesn't seem like anyone from Alabama is too worried about it, though.

Well, when the captain of USS Alabama is still named Saban, there's not much to fear when it comes to hiring proper assistants

 

[RLong68]

(Buy) With Stan Drayton already confirmed and locked in, a second retained staff member feels more likely than not.

Dang, I missed that. Not surprising.

 

[Ketchum]

Well, when the captain of USS Alabama is still named Saban, there's not much to fear when it comes to hiring proper assistants

correct. Bama folks are like, "Meh, he'll just go get some more dudes. It's what he does."

 

[BrewCrew116]

Texas has been in California since Herman. Bru McCoy (albeit his early departure) and Collin Johnson are from California. Also, Saban has gone on air to say when coaches use his system to garner their own success he’s delighted for them, but to go back and take more from the program after departing it is what ruins relationships with his former assistants who are now head coaches. I would think Sark, if he’s got that humanity Ketch speaks of, will not directly pull staff from Bama. Players, maybe, but not current staff.

 

[drunk randoke]

IMO, having previously been HC at SC, and and on Saban's staff for a few years, he almost certainly is a guy who understands the importance of a & b.

Just wonder if he keeps Ash or goes his own way. I see both sides.

 

[RLong68]

... Iowa State handled Oregon with much more ease than I would have guessed. Frankly, they outclassed the Ducks, and I'm not sure they did that a ton in the Big 12 this year.

Tough loss for the Mario Cristobal crowd. Losing to Matt Campbell only made it worse.

 

[RLong68]

Texas has been in California since Herman. Bru McCoy (albeit his early departure) and Collin Johnson are from California.

The Brothers Johnson signed with Charlie, not Mensa.

 

[RLong68]

Just wonder if he keeps Ash or goes his own way. I see both sides.

For sure.

 

[RLong68]

(Sell) That's going to be handled this off-season, and he won't have to deal with this like Herman did.

I mean, I feel like it's already come and gone.

 

[Ketchum]

Texas has been in California since Herman. Bru McCoy (albeit his early departure) and Collin Johnson are from California. Also, Saban has gone on air to say when coaches use his system to garner their own success he’s delighted for them, but to go back and take more from the program after departing it is what ruins relationships with his former assistants who are now head coaches. I would think Sark, if he’s got that humanity Ketch speaks of, will not directly pull staff from Bama. Players, maybe, but not current staff.

Agreed, Texas has dabbled. I think Sark will do more than dabble.

 

[Ketchum]

Just wonder if he keeps Ash or goes his own way. I see both sides.

He's got a hell of a back up plan.

 

[RLong68]

... Admit it, that was the perfect way for the season to end for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. It can't ever be straight-forward. It always has to include some sort of kidney shot.

For years now I've pretty much only sit down and engage in one Cowboy game a year. And it's usually this type of circumstance, i.e. last ditch effort to make the playoffs. And they pretty much all end this way don't they? Little surprised you have no comment on the literally brain dead decision to not challenge that 3rd down catch.