burdine

This isn't everything but there might be some truth to this statement. Herman had some faults. He was very stubborn schematically and didn't prioritize staff hires correctly. He did get culture mostly right. The team played hard for Herman. Not smart or well led but hard. Sark seems more intellectual and cerebral. I expect we look better schematically over time and and I like his staff much better. Culturally, he may need his version of Dick Tomey on the staff to reach his ceiling.

Effort can vary with context. With things snowballing against you, effort may suffer. It shouldn't, but we've all seen it before many times in sports. Mack had a bunch of these WTF's including to Arkansas. The season wasn't always over though. But it does showcase real weaknesses that need to be addressed schematically and roster-wise. Hopefully, this helps that to happen.

Whatever Arkansas is, they are a respectable defense. We roll in with a RS Frosh QB in his first road start, a shaky OL, unproven receivers, and a new coaching staff with new schemes. They run an offense we all know well but the Pac12 never had. That setup is exactly the type of situation that can snowball on you and it sure as hell did. It is one data point and it is a bad one. Hopefully this painful debacle makes crystal clear what the problems are, the best way forward is, and the staff makes those changes. So maybe let's see what happens next before writing a bunch of stuff in stone.

what if we have the funds and ou doesn't? This will be the first time a grant of rights is really tested. I do believe it will end up being in everyone's interest for it to happen by next year.

IMO, if we could sell SEC 2022 then we would get a pretty big bump with some kids. Obviously, we have to say 2025 for legal reasons and three years in a lame duck situation seems pretty unappealing.

Getting the date of the SEC move settled would help a lot too. Nobody likes uncertainty and besides OU, our competition can take advantage.

Reveal Suits UT blazer

yeah but try finding UT stuff in a store. wildly outstocked by Aggy stuff and that's not because Aggy stuff doesn't sell.

Anybody think the Spring Game gets moved?

Kalen Thornton update

How did that work out for Tennessee? Hmmm.

There was some good talent on that team especially on defense. However, once Ash went down there were no viable QBs and the OL was terrible, playing a guy whose nickname was NCAA (No Contact At All). The defense was fine but the offense was terrible and not much to be done about it in the short term.

That alignment in leadership matters. Eltife, Hartzell and CDC all put their names and reputations on this hire publicly. Also, you can tell it was run within that small group by the lack of leaks. Attention was paid to the need for a rockstar staff around the head coach. Eltife's comments in the press conference said a lot. The ones about UT's commitment to winning at the highest level. And we got a bit lucky on the hype front with how good the Bama offense looked after the hire.

Hearing Urban took the Jags job. Friend of a friend.

Seems pretty clear the tradition is going to survive and continue. I remember quite a few doubters . . .

Herman was an improvement. The program is in better shape than when he got here. Biggest problem was that he seemed to be running the program based mostly on his experience at Ohio State with Urban Meyer so that when changes needed to be made he didn't have any answers. Sark talked about doing it his way in his press conference. No way to know if he can deliver on that yet. I think he is a good bet but no sure thing.

I just think the Likeness changes are going to really change the recruiting game away from bagmen and that UT should do well in the new environment with our natural advantages and big media markets in the State of Texas. So I think that might change how we think of some hires.

It seems like the Name, Image and Likeness changes coming down the road probably change the whole game anyway and put everything above board therefore I'm thinking certain hires might not have the same risk as before to UT's sterling reputation. NCAA Link If adopted, the measures would: Allow student-athletes to use their name, image and likeness to promote camps and clinics, private lessons, their own products and services, and commercial products or services. Allow student-athletes to be paid for their autographs and personal appearances. Allow student-athletes to crowdfund for nonprofits or charitable organizations, catastrophic events and family hardships, as well as for educational expenses not covered by cost of attendance. Allow student-athletes the opportunity to use professional advice and marketing assistance regarding name, image and likeness activities, as well as professional representation in contract negotiations related to name, image and likeness activities, with some restrictions. Prohibit schools from being involved in the development, operation or promotion of a student-athlete’s business activity, unless the activity is developed as part of a student’s coursework or academic program. Prohibit schools from arranging or securing endorsement opportunities for student-athletes. Student-athletes would not be permitted to use their school’s marks in any advertisements, endorsements, personal appearances or promotions. Additionally, they could not participate in activities involving a commercial product or service that conflicts with NCAA legislation (such as sports wagering or banned substances), and schools would have the opportunity to prohibit activities that conflict with school values or existing sponsorship arrangements. The school would be required to disclose activities that would be prohibited at the time a student is admitted or signs a financial aid agreement.

When I hear Babers asking if Sark is a clear upgrade and saying that Sark and Herman are pretty much the same guys so why make the change, then that makes me think he thinks something other than football acumen is the deciding factor. I'm not saying he is right but I can see where some could take it poorly.

I suspect Rod and the AAS guys have the perception (somewhat true) that Herman was fired in some measure for the Eyes screwup lasting into the season and that might be slightly triggering to them. Perception might be that Herman was fired partly for standing up for his black players. Reality might be that he got fired partly for not getting it settled in the summer. It might be making it hard for them to be objective about Sarkisian going forward.

Agree this would be a good approach in theory. In practice, it produces a very short list. Who fits this criteria? Mullen, yes Franklin, 37-23 in the B1G at Penn State, going to say sort of Campbell, 26-19 in the Big12 at ISU, given ISU's situation he's done a good job most folks think Fitzgerald, 63-60 in 14 years in the B1G at Northwestern, similar to Campbell doing a good job with less Who else fits this criteria that we should consider?

If we want to be different and change what's wrong with our program, Fitzgerald seems like the ticket to me.

Anybody good will have other opportunities but he isn't locked in yet like many others. On the scale of who we might want, he seems pretty attainable.

Northwestern is no kingmaker school as well.