What does "meddling by boosters" even mean?

[Horn 97]

Listening to Brian Jones on the Ticket this morning talk about the dumpster fire that is the football program. He described a toxic environment where boosters who contribute to the program interfere and meddle with the coaches to the detriment of the team. He even mentioned there could be some racial tones while referring back to the tired TEOT mess. His message to the boosters was to leave Sark and the coaches alone and let them do their jobs.

What I'm trying to understand is what exactly does this "meddling" look like? Are boosters emailing him game plans and demanding he run them or they won't donate? Are they catching him at public events and threatening to fire him if we lose again this weekend? Or is this all going to CDC who is getting ultimatums on how the program should be run or else?

We've heard the "toxic environment" and "cesspool" comments about the program for years now, I'm just curious as to what this actually means. Anyone have insights?

 

[Oilfield]

Telling a head coach that he has to get new coordinators is meddling. Then you fire him the next year anyway and now you have an official shit show. And we do it over and over again. So effing ridiculous. We are reaping the rewards of our insanity. Several threads on this board today are talking about getting the insanity started again.

 

[jmc41]

Listening to Brian Jones on the Ticket this morning talk about the dumpster fire that is the football program. He described a toxic environment where boosters who contribute to the program interfere and meddle with the coaches to the detriment of the team. He even mentioned there could be some racial tones while referring back to the tired TEOT mess. His message to the boosters was to leave Sark and the coaches alone and let them do their jobs.

What I'm trying to understand is what exactly does this "meddling" look like? Are boosters emailing him game plans and demanding he run them or they won't donate? Are they catching him at public events and threatening to fire him if we lose again this weekend? Or is this all going to CDC who is getting ultimatums on how the program should be run or else?

We've heard the "toxic environment" and "cesspool" comments about the program for years now, I'm just curious as to what this actually means. Anyone have insights?

When the chairman of the board of regents (himself a massive booster) for the entire UT system shows up to practice.

 

[duqu]

it’s probably no one specific doing any specific to the program and more like 15 people always talking to CDC/Sark nonstop, giving answers to questions no one is asking.

too many chefs in the kitchen causes confusion, anxiety and robs someone of the time they need to do their job.

 

[PushFade]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

 

[ColladorUT]

Yeah I think the booster impact is overblown. Every school has boosters who want to be involved and feel important. And ya know what? When a school needs $25mil for something they turn to those people, so why shouldn't they have some access?

But the problem is at Texas, or anywhere, when you are losing you will find places to put blame. Boosters meddling is not even remotely close to the top of the list on why we are where we are.

 

[drag worm]

Maybe Kevin Eltief literally showing up at practice?

 

[ColladorUT]

Maybe Kevin Eltief literally showing up at practice?

Who cares? Random people show up all the time, whether its former players, donors, kids field trips, etc.

 

[BurntOrangeATX]

Is Brian Jones still even really tied in? Or is he just an easy face and voice for media outlets to put forth(due to his media experience and familiarity) and throw Texas questions at because he once played there?
I ask because he seems to always say the same vague general comments that fit that particular interview and narrative.

 

[JGC80]

When the chairman of the board of regents (himself a massive booster) for the entire UT system shows up to practice.

Yes this for sure.I know it can be seen both ways either as a great show of support or another example of the cesspool as to who is really running the show and why guys like Urban will never come here.

Question is how does Sark feel about that yesterday deep down?You gotta put up with that on a practice day ? Would really love to know that answer does it make Sark look weaker or stronger as the guy who is running the show? Just asking? Eltife knew that would be reported and a national story so obviously wanted it out there etc.The Chairman of the Board of Regents who didn't show up after any of the other losses but does for Kansas.
It can cut both ways but I guess SEC Shorts has their next video idea smh??

 

[Oilfield]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

There is a reason that Saban and Meyer passed on the opportunity to coach here. Likely similar reasons that DKR retired so young.

 

[TexasMcBizzle]

The meddling certainly heats up when the team sucks but get we are the ones who funded the bailouts and coaches huge salaries so we get to meddle

Don’t lose to Kansas and we leave you alone that week - BMD

 

[PushFade]

There is a reason that Saban and Meyer passed on the opportunity to coach here. Likely similar reasons that DKR retired so young.

Saban passed because the AD mishandled Mack. If you think Bama doesn't have similar boosters to Texas, you'd be wrong. Saban has earned the right to tell them to shut up.

 

[longhorn4444]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

At least we only have 5 major problems.

 

[UT Big Daddy]

We have a bunch of boosters worth >$500MM who essentially compete with each other for influence over the program by raining down cash for luxuries that then spoil the players. They are in and around the program and it is a cluster. Read some of the old nuufaola posts about visiting with multi million $$ annual donors on the suite level if you need more information. They all have the President and AD's ear.

It is a part of why UT has such a toxic culture.

 

[Oilfield]

Saban passed because the AD mishandled Mack. If you think Bama doesn't have similar boosters to Texas, you'd be wrong. Saban has earned the right to tell them to shut up.

I’m sure they do, and they have f&@$ed up the Bama program plenty through the years. We just do it more. The culture is our creation of running new coaches in and out constantly.

 

[fortworthhorn]

Telling Sark he can’t hire Mike Stoops

 

[sj53150]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

Sorry, but it’s a huge issue and has been.

 

[Manolo]

Super lazy narrative imo. Not that it has no validity but it has no correlation to getting run fits wrong or throwing a pick six up 17-3 and driving.

 

[jmc41]

Telling Sark he can’t hire Mike Stoops

Good call!

Oh wait . . .

 

[Horn 97]

We have a bunch of boosters worth >$500MM who essentially compete with each other for influence over the program by raining down cash for luxuries that then spoil the players. They are in and around the program and it is a cluster. Read some of the old nuufaola posts about visiting with multi million $$ annual donors on the suite level if you need more information. They all have the President and AD's ear.

It is a part of why UT has such a toxic culture.

I would imagine there is something to be said for BMD dumping cash on the program and spoiling players for influence. But that's also a two edged sword, you have to build facilities and make players want to play for Texas while also ensuring they keep their edge.

It's maybe a cliche to say it all comes down to culture, but I would think there's something to it. As a player, you're there to work hard to compete at practice and on Saturdays at the highest level possible to produce wins. If you can install that mindset, then all the peripheral stuff takes care of itself. If the spoils are the only reason you're really there in the first place, there's no reason to put in the work.

 

[nuufaola]

I really like Brian. I know him.

But there are a number of tropes that get dragged around, which are largely meaningless. This is one of them.

Every team has boosters, we just have more boosters that are richer than any other school. There is no second place. And these boosters have tons of money. And they have big mouths. And they all bitch to CDC and Hartzell (bitching to the chair of the BOR is a more esoteric form of bitching and is probably 1%).

Brian Jones has absolutely no idea of what is happening at UT. Zero. He has no line of communication to any of the decion makers at UT. Sure, he might show up at a game, or the NFF year end event in NYC, but he just doesnt’ know.

This message board is no different than the one at any other school, its just larger and more developed.

The boosters at UT have ZERO to do with a team with no DE, most of its WR out with injury, a shitty offensive line and a non functional QB. Our team has been in transition since we lost in 2009, and we have been wandering in the desert.

By the way, I will be really interested to understand why the rest of our sports are doing well, particularly basketball, where we are looking pretty good.

We dont’ have a UT problem, a culture problem. We have a football problem.

 

[Texas_Cubs_Fan]

It’s always been super vague because their isn’t much to it. If I had to guess how boosters disrupt a program (and this doesn’t particularly pertain just to UT)

- Influence decision to fire coaches or coordinators too soon
- Influence hiring process of new coaches
- Demand access to coaches or explanations which distract coaches

Personally I don’t think any of these are a big deal and something a good AD and coach can manage. The EOT thing was kind of it’s own mess but the whole “toxic BMD” notion has been around long before that issue came up

 

[Texas_Cubs_Fan]

Read some of the old nuufaola posts …..
It is a part of why UT has such a toxic culture.

We dont’ have a UT problem, a culture problem. We have a football problem.

🤔

 

[UT Big Daddy]

I really like Brian. I know him.

But there are a number of tropes that get dragged around, which are largely meaningless. This is one of them.

Every team has boosters, we just have more boosters that are richer than any other school. There is no second place. And these boosters have tons of money. And they have big mouths. And they all bitch to CDC and Hartzell (bitching to the chair of the BOR is a more esoteric form of bitching and is probably 1%).

Brian Jones has absolutely no idea of what is happening at UT. Zero. He has no line of communication to any of the decion makers at UT. Sure, he might show up at a game, or the NFF year end event in NYC, but he just doesnt’ know.

This message board is no different than the one at any other school, its just larger and more developed.

The boosters at UT have ZERO to do with a team with no DE, most of its WR out with injury, a shitty offensive line and a non functional QB. Our team has been in transition since we lost in 2009, and we have been wandering in the desert.

By the way, I will be really interested to understand why the rest of our sports are doing well, particularly basketball, where we are looking pretty good.

We dont’ have a UT problem, a culture problem. We have a football problem.

Basketball hasn't won a tournament game in nearly a decade. Let's hope that ship has been righted, but the Shaka Smart hire was one of the worst major sports hires in UT history.

The fact that we have all these mega rich boosters showering money everywhere is the essence of the problem. Other programs do not have it to the same extent as Texas. NFL teams have one or two meddling "owners". Texas has a dozen.

 

[WardenDug]

All I can tell you is I do not bother Coach Sark.

 

[satterwm]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

Truth.

 

[Djsimm11]

Would be cool if the BMDs started a pissing match on who could spend the most on NIL.

 

[satterwm]

Yeah I think the booster impact is overblown. Every school has boosters who want to be involved and feel important. And ya know what? When a school needs $25mil for something they turn to those people, so why shouldn't they have some access?

But the problem is at Texas, or anywhere, when you are losing you will find places to put blame. Boosters meddling is not even remotely close to the top of the list on why we are where we are.

Another truth teller.

 

[satterwm]

Saban passed because the AD mishandled Mack. If you think Bama doesn't have similar boosters to Texas, you'd be wrong. Saban has earned the right to tell them to shut up.

And DKR retired because he was sick and tired of the cheating.

And Meyer...who the f cares?

 

[OrangeTower]

Meddling isn't the issue. A culture of losing since the Strong years, significant misses in recruiting classes, coaching (scheme) turnover, player commitment, and bad coaching fits are the issue.

Bingo

 

[OkayCoolFU]

Who cares? Random people show up all the time, whether its former players, donors, kids field trips, etc.

Has this been common by Eltife or after the KU debacle?

 

[ColladorUT]

Has this been common by Eltife or after the KU debacle?

I have no clue.

 

[Sneaky Russians]

Nuufala also infamously posted that “UT doesn’t do clown shows”

Rich guys don’t have a clue about running football programs.

It’s a fancy toy they get to talk to their friends about and brag about their influence.

Its a problem because you can’t get alignment throughout the organization.

And then we end up with constant change and knee jerk reactions and swinging for the fences because there is no unified plan.

 

[OrangeTower]

Every school has meddling boosters. We may have more of them.

Only football sucks at UT right now where athletics are concerned.

Hire the right coaches. Don’t whiff on OL and DL recruiting for years.