Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend (The ice is as thin as it gets)

[txfight]

I was disappointed in the OSU loss too, but I'm a little surprised by the guardrail to guardrail expectation level for this team.

NOBODY expected us to be anything but 2-3 after the first 5 games. We beat ND, OU loses to Houston and suddenly we're a 10 win, conference champion contender? Then we lose to a pretty good Cal team on the road and a pretty capable OSU in Stillwater and it's obvious the coach has to go?

Neither loss was the ISU-esque embarrassment from last year.

If the "Strong must be fired" rhetoric train needs to leave the station, I think it should be his terrible game decisions, clock management, personnel decisions we should be looking at. How can anyone be surprised we're 2 and 2 right now?

Also, the fact that we're SOOOOO predicatable with the 18 wheeler package is at least partly on Gilbert, whom I'm sure anyone here would give a kidney to keep next year.

I'm not saying Strong should stay, the season is still unwritten. I'm just surprised by the knee jerk mentality here. If somehow we keep it close vs OU and then run the table (which isn't out of the question) anyone who said CS is the worst coach in UT history or had us listed as the 7th best team in the Big 12 needs to own what will turn out to be seriously premature comments.

And just so it gets said, John Mackovic was the worst coach in UT history. Maybe his record was better than some and he gave us Ricky Williams and the first ever Big 12 Conference Championship, but that arrogant douche will also be my least favorite coach to don burnt orange.

 

[BigSkyHorn]

I am one of the few Charlie fans that are left. I am very disappointed with the Cal and OSU defense. Special teams - WTF - agreed. But all these knee jerk reactions are ridiculous. Herman may be the next "Saban" or maybe he is a very fortunate coach who is riding Gred Ward Jr. I am confident under Charlie we will not have a Baylor situation. I am also confident that the defense will be addressed. You spoil brats who throw bombs all day long does not help the players or the coaches reach the players. I like analysis but venom is too much..

 

[Ketchum]

Wait, the one with Steve Martin???? That movie was HARR-ible. I love the origianl show and Steve Martin, but it was not a good movie. I'm guessing he might have needed that hit in the head he got as HC at Arizona.

Three asides related to Mackovic. One, he gave the AAS a pasta e pignole recipe that was delicious and I still use it today. Two, I coached against his son at Westlake young basketball and am 1-0 against John Mackovic (I usually omit the junior part). And three, my favorite call in cursing of him came from a guy who was just so frustrated, he goes, "Why you...you...you...chardonnay drinker!" Explains the pasta recipe, doesn't it

He made Texas relevant and remarkable. Not always good remarkable.

Yeah, he thought the movie version was awesome. Tickled him pink.

Surreal moment.

 

[Ketchum]

I am one of the few Charlie fans that are left. I am very disappointed with the Cal and OSU defense. Special teams - WTF - agreed. But all these knee jerk reactions are ridiculous. Herman may be the next "Saban" or maybe he is a very fortunate coach who is riding Gred Ward Jr. I am confident under Charlie we will not have a Baylor situation. I am also confident that the defense will be addressed. You spoil brats who throw bombs all day long does not help the players or the coaches reach the players. I like analysis but venom is too much..

Is Herman riding Greg Ward Jr. or did he make him?

 

[Ketchum]

I was disappointed in the OSU loss too, but I'm a little surprised by the guardrail to guardrail expectation level for this team.

NOBODY expected us to be anything but 2-3 after the first 5 games. We beat ND, OU loses to Houston and suddenly we're a 10 win, conference champion contender? Then we lose to a pretty good Cal team on the road and a pretty capable OSU in Stillwater and it's obvious the coach has to go?

Neither loss was the ISU-esque embarrassment from last year.

If the "Strong must be fired" rhetoric train needs to leave the station, I think it should be his terrible game decisions, clock management, personnel decisions we should be looking at. How can anyone be surprised we're 2 and 2 right now?

Also, the fact that we're SOOOOO predicatable with the 18 wheeler package is at least partly on Gilbert, whom I'm sure anyone here would give a kidney to keep next year.

I'm not saying Strong should stay, the season is still unwritten. I'm just surprised by the knee jerk mentality here. If somehow we keep it close vs OU and then run the table (which isn't out of the question) anyone who said CS is the worst coach in UT history or had us listed as the 7th best team in the Big 12 needs to own what will turn out to be seriously premature comments.

And just so it gets said, John Mackovic was the worst coach in UT history. Maybe his record was better than some and he gave us Ricky Williams and the first ever Big 12 Conference Championship, but that arrogant douche will also be my least favorite coach to don burnt orange.

Charlie ain't within a 10-foot pole of Mackovic.

 

[TopSirloin]

Is Herman riding Greg Ward Jr. or did he make him?

I must say, this is such a powerful quote with the current situation.....Greg Ward was a nobody who has turned into a blossoming QB, whereas Teddy B. was somebody and panned out and helped multiple coaches parlay that into a payday. People say Mack should give VY money back, what should Charlie be giving Teddy?

 

[BigSkyHorn]

Is Herman riding Greg Ward Jr. or did he make him?

That is a great question. From Ward's soph season (pre-Herman) to his Jr season with Herman his YPA went from 7.2 to 8.4 and passer rating from 142 to 148. All stats improved but I would not say dramatically. It looks like the progression you get with one more year of experience. Again - not saying he isn't a great coach just saying the grass is always greener....

Unless there is an ethical reason I think a coach should get 4 years. That still would only get him 3 years with his recruits from full cycle. If I did not go to TX and have my loyalty there I would jump ship due to the often overheard vocal fan base that can be a bunch of whining, elitist blowhards.

 

[Ketchum]

I must say, this is such a powerful quote with the current situation.....Greg Ward was a nobody who has turned into a blossoming QB, whereas Teddy B. was somebody and panned out and helped multiple coaches parlay that into a payday. People say Mack should give VY money back, what should Charlie be giving Teddy?

yup

 

[Ketchum]

That is a great question. From Ward's soph season (pre-Herman) to his Jr season with Herman his YPA went from 7.2 to 8.4 and passer rating from 142 to 148. All stats improved but I would not say dramatically. It looks like the progression you get with one more year of experience. Again - not saying he isn't a great coach just saying the grass is always greener....

Unless there is an ethical reason I think a coach should get 4 years. That still would only get him 3 years with his recruits from full cycle. If I did not go to TX and have my loyalty there I would jump ship due to the often overheard vocal fan base that can be a bunch of whining, elitist blowhards.

I'm not sure that player rating tells the full story at all...

 

[ganngus]

Charlie ain't within a 10-foot pole of Mackovic.

^^^^^ x100. Charlie Strong has NO business being in the same conversation as Mackovic.

 

[BigSkyHorn]

I'm not sure that player rating tells the full story at all...

That's rich! We use stats to say how bad of a coach Stong is but not to determine how good Herman is....

Tough to win any points with that analysis.

 

[Ketchum]

That's rich! We use stats to say how bad of a coach Stong is but not to determine how good Herman is....

Tough to win any points with that analysis.

I would suggest more stats and more context. I'm simply saying passer rating doesn't tell the entire story with Ward from 2014 to 2015.

No one thought he was a star 13 months ago.

 

[BigSkyHorn]

I would suggest more stats and more context. I'm simply saying passer rating doesn't tell the entire story with Ward from 2014 to 2015.

No one thought he was a star 13 months ago.

Completion percentage was flat at 67%. Not saying a few stats make or break it with Ward just saying you cannot say it is clear with all the passing stats. As for Ward 13 mos ago you could say the same thing about Louisville QB. Also 3 weeks ago Charlie was a solid coach who had control of locker room and the koolaid was flowing. The fickleness of the posts is my point.

 

[Ketchum]

Completion percentage was flat at 67%. Not saying a few stats make or break it with Ward just saying you cannot say it is clear with all the passing stats. As for Ward 13 mos ago you could say the same thing about Louisville QB. Also 3 weeks ago Charlie was a solid coach who had control of locker room and the koolaid was flowing. The fickleness of the posts is my point.

Isn't the fickleness of Charlie's teams and game-day management the larger point?

 

[Ketchum]

Added context on Ward.

His YPA is up nearly two full yards in two seasons. Went from a 12/7 TD/INT radio to 17/6 in one year under Herman. Not only did the improvement come in the passing game, but his rushing numbers essentially doubled per game.

Hell, he was a part-time receiver in 2014 and the next year he was an All-America candidate.

 

[BigSkyHorn]

Added context on Ward.

His YPA is up nearly two full yards in two seasons. Went from a 12/7 TD/INT radio to 17/6 in one year under Herman. Not only did the improvement come in the passing game, but his rushing numbers essentially doubled per game.

Hell, he was a part-time receiver in 2014 and the next year he was an All-America candidate.

So far the improvement in QB at TX this year over last has been better. Of course that is our OC not Charlie recruiting the right QB. At Houston it's all the head coach and not Applewhite. Funny how that works.

And my point exactly Ward was a part time receiver in 2014 and his passing stats were not dramatically improved yoy.

 

[Ketchum]

So far the improvement in QB at TX this year over last has been better. Of course that is our OC not Charlie recruiting the right QB. At Houston it's all the head coach and not Applewhite. Funny how that works.

And my point exactly Ward was a part time receiver in 2014 and his passing stats were not dramatically improved yoy.

 

[MBIJIM]

The impact on recruiting can be devastating.

Recruiting is far down the list of what is important right now.

 

[txfight]

Charlie ain't within a 10-foot pole of Mackovic.

In what regard? As in, "he's not nearly as big an insuffrable A-hole?"

Look, I will fully admit, I didn't like Mackovic for several reasons beyond W/L record and some of it was personal. And I'll even admit a little further, when a guy as charismatic as Mack Brown follows you, it can make you look like an even bigger conceited, withdrawn, elitist prick in hindsight. And it did.

Me no likey John Mackovic.

 

[txfight]

Recruiting is far down the list of what is important right now.

I respectively disagree. You ALWAYS have to keep one hand on the recruiting rudder. The numbers bear it out. Other than a few outliers, good recruiting turns into good seasons.

It would be different if his players didn't like him. If he was Mangino or that fat, bag of turds who coached ND before Brian Kelly, then yeah, axe him. But these guys are hoisting CS when they win a big game. The players still like him.

 

[Ketchum]

Recruiting is far down the list of what is important right now.

Recruiting is never far down the list of anything in this sport.

 

[Ketchum]

In what regard? As in, "he's not nearly as big an insuffrable A-hole?"

Look, I will fully admit, I didn't like Mackovic for several reasons beyond W/L record and some of it was personal. And I'll even admit a little further, when a guy as charismatic as Mack Brown follows you, it can make you look like an even bigger conceited, withdrawn, elitist prick in hindsight. And it did.

Me no likey John Mackovic.

See 1995 and 1996 seasons.

 

[marsgar]

The impact on recruiting can be devastating.

For LSU, too or no? What's the difference? I'll hang up and listen.

 

[streettopeschel]

See 1995 and 1996 seasons.

2 outta 6 ain't bad.

 

[Ketchum]

For LSU, too or no? What's the difference? I'll hang up and listen.

LSU hasn't even begun to see what will happen. Let's revisit this in November.

 

[Ketchum]

2 outta 6 ain't bad.

as opposed to 0 for 3?

 

[trophies2]

See 1995 and 1996 seasons.

Did anybody like Mackovic?

 

[streettopeschel]

as opposed to 0 for 3?

Mackovic was 6-5, 5-5-1 his first two. He 'rallied' to go 7-4 and won a minor bowl game in year 3. If Charlie 'rallies' and goes 7-5 or 8-4 and wins a minor bowl their tenures to this point will be similar.

Don't get me wrong. I think barring some sort of Biblical miracle Charlie should be dismissed. But let's not act like Mackovic was more than he was.

 

[trophies2]

Isn't the fickleness of Charlie's teams and game-day management the larger point?

Watching Charlie's presser is the same after every loss.

"Fundamentals and Technique. Guys, you're right there, go make a play. We are pressing so much and one bad play leads to another."

 

[Ketchum]

Did anybody like Mackovic?

just a few

 

[Ketchum]

Mackovic was 6-5, 5-5-1 his first two. He 'rallied' to go 7-4 and won a minor bowl game in year 3. If Charlie 'rallies' and goes 7-5 or 8-4 and wins a minor bowl their tenures to this point will be similar.

Don't get me wrong. I think barring some sort of Biblical miracle Charlie should be dismissed. But let's not act like Mackovic was more than he was.

well, he was.

 

[trophies2]

I can't wait to hear this next podcast.

 

[streettopeschel]

well, he was.

He was what? One of the few coaches who could have a team loaded with NFLers and lose 5 in '96 and go 4-7 in '97?

Not sure what point you're going for here. I know Mackovic's record. Thru 2.5 years wasn't much better than CS.

 

[Ketchum]

He was what? One of the few coaches who could have a team loaded with NFLers and lose 5 in '96 and go 4-7 in '97?

Not sure what point you're going for here. I know Mackovic's record. Thru 2.5 years wasn't much better than CS.

NO matter how one spins it, he won the last SWC and the first Big 12 title.

That's infinitely more success than Strong, even if the length of tenures makes it unfair.

 

[streettopeschel]

NO matter how one spins it, he won the last SWC and the first Big 12 title.

That's infinitely more success than Strong, even if the length of tenures makes it unfair.

is Mackovic in the room with you?

No spin from me. Those are facts and I loved those years. The 95 aggy win was one of my all timers.

And yes, his 6 year tenure had more success than Charlie has had in 2.33 years. And Mackovic's 2.33 record was similar to Charlie's. Those are also facts.

I guess I'm missing the point.