I don’t disagree much at all. In 2003 we were 10-3 suffering one of our worst ass whoopingsfrom OU which the previous happened in 2000 under Mack’s watch. On top of that we lost to Arkansas and the Holiday Bowl against Washigton Fricken State. We lost to OU in 2004, but ended the year with Vince doing his thing against Michigan at the Rose Bowl. I might be wrong, but I seem to recall the chatter was on the sports talk shows and message boards of the day that Mack was on the hot seat going into the 2004 season.
I never hated Mack like some on here and the fan base, but I do believe he voluntarily overstayed his tenure. The writing was on the wall with five star recruits who were a bust along with staff changes that busted too (see Manny Diaz). Had he left even on a low note without being forced out, the University, Alums and fan base would’ve been forgiving. Or at least much more than some are now.
And yes I recall the late 80’s. I was in high school then and was the only kid in my school that seemed to not drink the maroon kool aid. And aggy likes to call our fan base T-shirt fans. They were the pioneers of T Shirt fans and this is before Academy or fill in your favorite mass merchandise store got involved in promoting College teams with a large selection of merchandise like they do now. It was insufferable along with the condition of our program during that era.