Good to be back in the Metroplex.Thanks Bowlsby, Fenves, Chris Del Conte.
Firmly believes coaches and players win games, administrations win championships. Feels they have a championship administration.
Been a fantastic year since last year. First winning season in four years, first bowl win since 2012. Retained entire staff, added one of the best OL coaches in the country. Signed a historic top five class of great players and fantastic young men who fit their culture.
Have plans to build for athletes, fans, student body, some of the finest facilities in the country. Had very little attrition on the roster. Had tremendous growth last season. Record wasn't up to championship expectations, but if you watch the program, you understand they're playing harder, more physical, more cohesive than they have in a long time.
Theme this off-season is develop and finish. Want to develop better athletes, want to develop as football players, and want to develop as coaches.
Two weeks left of summer conditioning. 60 members of team can vertical jump more than 30 inches. 42 players can power clean more than 300 pounds from the floor. 34 guys can squat more than 500 pounds. 3 guys who can squat more than 600 pounds.
Have worked extremely hard in developing relationships. Believes they are as close of a team as Texas has been in a long time. Player to player and coach to player.
Been training guys how to finish. Every drill they do, every workout, has a finish component to it. They require guys to be at their very best when game is on the line. Guys have taken to that, are excited about the season.
Forever Texas program, life after football program, unique to Texas more than any other program. Culminated spring semester with job fair which led to graduating senior players getting job offers. Had mission trips for players.
They are really excited about this season. Culture is firmly ingrained. Guys are hungry. They're one of the few teams in the country to play 11 Power 5 teams. Understands the challenge, but they have a team to take it head on.
Question: Has he had to make any changes after Michael Dickson left?
Answer: "Only to sign his cousin." No significant changes. Will see how new punter does when bullets are flying but he had a great spring.
Question about Tim Beck as play caller ..
Answer: Don't have to make that decision right now in July. Going to do whatever is best for Texas and the offense. Herman has always been very intimately involved in play calling. Never a play called that he doesn't have veto power over. An element to the offense with young players they had where they weren't going to light the world on fire. They handle playcalling in a collaborative effort. What they do during the week is more important than the three hours on Saturday. No decision on play caller, nor does he feel any sense of urgency in making decision.
On players marketing their likeness ... should do anything and everything they can for student athletes. Mentioned new redshirt and transfer rules. Time demands for athletes have gone down, cut out two-a-days, shortened training camp. If it fits in the current model of college football that benefits the student athlete, he's all for it.
On young QB ... Feels like the two older guys in Buechele and Ehlinger really improved in areas they asked them to. With Sam, it was tightening up his release, had developed some bad habits after breaking his wrist his senior year. Made throws this spring he hadn't made previously. With Shane, be a more vocal leader, don't be a passive participant. Two young QBs are going to give those guys a run for their money. They came in, did not look out of place. Both freshmen can both run and pass. Rising better runner than people think, Thompson better thrower than others think. Much better than last year's situation. To have depth, and young depth, really excited about where that position is heading.
On how many players on the roster who can be difference makers and win championships .... "some." Hasn't tallied up difference makers and championship level guys, not fair to give an assessment with such limited time to think about it. But does think there are guys on both sides of the ball, probably more on defense. Also noted they signed a stellar recruiting class. Does think they have some, but as any coach would say, not enough. As they get closer to the elite programs, they're getting closer with elite level talent.
Make up for Poona Ford's departure by committee. Been around three truly great NTs in his life .. Casey Hampton, Ed Oliver, Poona Ford. He was that disruptive. If they can get close to that kind of production from the veterans they have at end and guys like Chris Nelson, who is there today. Has been around Todd Orlando for a long time, and knock on wood, stopping the run has never been an issue.
As for running the ball, hard to run the ball when you have such a MASH unit along the offensive line. Finished the spring with 8 scholarship OL. Will get some guys back from injuries, will add Calvin Anderson. Added a couple running backs and others have developed. It's a very deep RB room, but is a room that hasn't had a ton of talent develop itself. Feels the addition of Herb Hand and the improvement they made up front, especially in the starters, will help the run game.
Some comments from AD Chris Del Conte ...
What's it going to take to get Texas back on top ... Overall Texas finished fifth in the country in Sears Cup, so it's heading in the right direction. They know it's about football and basketball, but overall they're in good shape. Herman has established culture, recruiting process is phenomenal. Have to be patient. Question is, do they have the patience? But he likes the direction they're heading.
Consistency in coaching staff ... Gary Patterson had the benefit of five league changes as an assistant and head coach. Along the way, he had the consistency and patience to build a championship program. At Texas, they lost Mack, Rick Barnes, DeLoss Dodds, AD .... Tom is now rebuilding that structure. When Mack won the title in 2005, it started with the years before in recruiting. Loves what Herman is doing.
But times have changed. The facilities they have now were built for John Mackovic. Built for Mackovic, handed the keys to Mack Brown. Building new facilities for Herman, energizing the entire fan base.
Would love to say they're going to play for national championship next year, but understands there's a process. Give the team a chance to build, gel, mold, build confidence.
Firmly believes coaches and players win games, administrations win championships. Feels they have a championship administration.
Been a fantastic year since last year. First winning season in four years, first bowl win since 2012. Retained entire staff, added one of the best OL coaches in the country. Signed a historic top five class of great players and fantastic young men who fit their culture.
Have plans to build for athletes, fans, student body, some of the finest facilities in the country. Had very little attrition on the roster. Had tremendous growth last season. Record wasn't up to championship expectations, but if you watch the program, you understand they're playing harder, more physical, more cohesive than they have in a long time.
Theme this off-season is develop and finish. Want to develop better athletes, want to develop as football players, and want to develop as coaches.
Two weeks left of summer conditioning. 60 members of team can vertical jump more than 30 inches. 42 players can power clean more than 300 pounds from the floor. 34 guys can squat more than 500 pounds. 3 guys who can squat more than 600 pounds.
Have worked extremely hard in developing relationships. Believes they are as close of a team as Texas has been in a long time. Player to player and coach to player.
Been training guys how to finish. Every drill they do, every workout, has a finish component to it. They require guys to be at their very best when game is on the line. Guys have taken to that, are excited about the season.
Forever Texas program, life after football program, unique to Texas more than any other program. Culminated spring semester with job fair which led to graduating senior players getting job offers. Had mission trips for players.
They are really excited about this season. Culture is firmly ingrained. Guys are hungry. They're one of the few teams in the country to play 11 Power 5 teams. Understands the challenge, but they have a team to take it head on.
Question: Has he had to make any changes after Michael Dickson left?
Answer: "Only to sign his cousin." No significant changes. Will see how new punter does when bullets are flying but he had a great spring.
Question about Tim Beck as play caller ..
Answer: Don't have to make that decision right now in July. Going to do whatever is best for Texas and the offense. Herman has always been very intimately involved in play calling. Never a play called that he doesn't have veto power over. An element to the offense with young players they had where they weren't going to light the world on fire. They handle playcalling in a collaborative effort. What they do during the week is more important than the three hours on Saturday. No decision on play caller, nor does he feel any sense of urgency in making decision.
On players marketing their likeness ... should do anything and everything they can for student athletes. Mentioned new redshirt and transfer rules. Time demands for athletes have gone down, cut out two-a-days, shortened training camp. If it fits in the current model of college football that benefits the student athlete, he's all for it.
On young QB ... Feels like the two older guys in Buechele and Ehlinger really improved in areas they asked them to. With Sam, it was tightening up his release, had developed some bad habits after breaking his wrist his senior year. Made throws this spring he hadn't made previously. With Shane, be a more vocal leader, don't be a passive participant. Two young QBs are going to give those guys a run for their money. They came in, did not look out of place. Both freshmen can both run and pass. Rising better runner than people think, Thompson better thrower than others think. Much better than last year's situation. To have depth, and young depth, really excited about where that position is heading.
On how many players on the roster who can be difference makers and win championships .... "some." Hasn't tallied up difference makers and championship level guys, not fair to give an assessment with such limited time to think about it. But does think there are guys on both sides of the ball, probably more on defense. Also noted they signed a stellar recruiting class. Does think they have some, but as any coach would say, not enough. As they get closer to the elite programs, they're getting closer with elite level talent.
Make up for Poona Ford's departure by committee. Been around three truly great NTs in his life .. Casey Hampton, Ed Oliver, Poona Ford. He was that disruptive. If they can get close to that kind of production from the veterans they have at end and guys like Chris Nelson, who is there today. Has been around Todd Orlando for a long time, and knock on wood, stopping the run has never been an issue.
As for running the ball, hard to run the ball when you have such a MASH unit along the offensive line. Finished the spring with 8 scholarship OL. Will get some guys back from injuries, will add Calvin Anderson. Added a couple running backs and others have developed. It's a very deep RB room, but is a room that hasn't had a ton of talent develop itself. Feels the addition of Herb Hand and the improvement they made up front, especially in the starters, will help the run game.
Some comments from AD Chris Del Conte ...
What's it going to take to get Texas back on top ... Overall Texas finished fifth in the country in Sears Cup, so it's heading in the right direction. They know it's about football and basketball, but overall they're in good shape. Herman has established culture, recruiting process is phenomenal. Have to be patient. Question is, do they have the patience? But he likes the direction they're heading.
Consistency in coaching staff ... Gary Patterson had the benefit of five league changes as an assistant and head coach. Along the way, he had the consistency and patience to build a championship program. At Texas, they lost Mack, Rick Barnes, DeLoss Dodds, AD .... Tom is now rebuilding that structure. When Mack won the title in 2005, it started with the years before in recruiting. Loves what Herman is doing.
But times have changed. The facilities they have now were built for John Mackovic. Built for Mackovic, handed the keys to Mack Brown. Building new facilities for Herman, energizing the entire fan base.
Would love to say they're going to play for national championship next year, but understands there's a process. Give the team a chance to build, gel, mold, build confidence.
