Let's do this thing. You know how I like it.... anything mostly goes.
*****
I do want to lead off with a few general thoughts about what I believe is the state of things surrounding the football program and the school in general.
* Perhaps the word "coup" is a bit strong, but the events of the last few months has galvanized an influential power section of the Texas alumni base. A couple of notable points about this group.
a. It is a football-centric group. Being really, really good at football is at the forefront of the desired goals.
b. Taking control of The Eyes of Texas situation in a way that absolutely preserves its place as a valued tradition.
c. Anyone that gets in the way of A and B might just get the hell run over.
* It is believed that the statements released last week by the president and the board of regents with regards to The Eyes was a nod towards the direction this group wants to steer the university in.
Translation: The most aligned group on campus right now might be this group of alums, the president's office and the Board of Regents.
* I can't stress enough how unintentionally valuable The Eyes of Texas disaster in the last few months might create some positive out of all of this because I wouldn't say that the triangle of power that I discussed above has quite been on the same page in the last...oh I don't know... the last 20 years... as it seems to be right now. This coming together of various power players is a direct response to what has happened with The Eyes since June and the football program's issues have only intensified the urgency that exists. In this very critical crossroads moment in the history of the program, this feels very different to 2913 and 2016 because of the near unanimous unison that seems to be in place about the state of the program and what potential steps need to take place.
* Tom Herman is under significant pressure right now. Saturday night in Stillwater is the biggest game of his coaching career. I don't believe there's any Houdini act that he can pull off that doesn't include winning on Saturday.
* Everything I'm reporting to you pre-dates the last 48 hours. The impact of the Quinn Ewers situation and the continued fallout in recruiting only intensify the situation and the magnitude of Saturday night.
* I have not heard a single key source say that they think it's done. Nothing quite that strong, but nothing that's seemingly too far away from that, either. I haven't had anyone pussyfooting around with the subject.
* If Herman is to be replaced, there appears to be no desire to Mickey Mouse around with a replacement. This group appears unified in what it would want to do next. In addition, money and optics won't stop Texas from doing what comes next, at least that's the sense I was getting today. Problematic concerns and roadblocks that have historically been paramount with the mere idea of such a football-centric power move seem to be secondary to getting what this group wants accomplished.
* Don't ask me to handicap all of this. What I believe to be the case if that the Herman Era is hanging on by its fingertips and that those behind the scenes are preparing as if there isn't a Houdini act that can save him.
Fire away with your questions.
*****
I do want to lead off with a few general thoughts about what I believe is the state of things surrounding the football program and the school in general.
* Perhaps the word "coup" is a bit strong, but the events of the last few months has galvanized an influential power section of the Texas alumni base. A couple of notable points about this group.
a. It is a football-centric group. Being really, really good at football is at the forefront of the desired goals.
b. Taking control of The Eyes of Texas situation in a way that absolutely preserves its place as a valued tradition.
c. Anyone that gets in the way of A and B might just get the hell run over.
* It is believed that the statements released last week by the president and the board of regents with regards to The Eyes was a nod towards the direction this group wants to steer the university in.
Translation: The most aligned group on campus right now might be this group of alums, the president's office and the Board of Regents.
* I can't stress enough how unintentionally valuable The Eyes of Texas disaster in the last few months might create some positive out of all of this because I wouldn't say that the triangle of power that I discussed above has quite been on the same page in the last...oh I don't know... the last 20 years... as it seems to be right now. This coming together of various power players is a direct response to what has happened with The Eyes since June and the football program's issues have only intensified the urgency that exists. In this very critical crossroads moment in the history of the program, this feels very different to 2913 and 2016 because of the near unanimous unison that seems to be in place about the state of the program and what potential steps need to take place.
* Tom Herman is under significant pressure right now. Saturday night in Stillwater is the biggest game of his coaching career. I don't believe there's any Houdini act that he can pull off that doesn't include winning on Saturday.
* Everything I'm reporting to you pre-dates the last 48 hours. The impact of the Quinn Ewers situation and the continued fallout in recruiting only intensify the situation and the magnitude of Saturday night.
* I have not heard a single key source say that they think it's done. Nothing quite that strong, but nothing that's seemingly too far away from that, either. I haven't had anyone pussyfooting around with the subject.
* If Herman is to be replaced, there appears to be no desire to Mickey Mouse around with a replacement. This group appears unified in what it would want to do next. In addition, money and optics won't stop Texas from doing what comes next, at least that's the sense I was getting today. Problematic concerns and roadblocks that have historically been paramount with the mere idea of such a football-centric power move seem to be secondary to getting what this group wants accomplished.
* Don't ask me to handicap all of this. What I believe to be the case if that the Herman Era is hanging on by its fingertips and that those behind the scenes are preparing as if there isn't a Houdini act that can save him.
Fire away with your questions.
