Superb Website

I have been reading this website for a while and I would like to commend Peter Bean and all the contributors to this website who have made this the best source of information regarding the Longhorns. This is definitely one of the best sport websites I have come upon and I waste hours at work browsing through BON.

On a side note, I really enjoy the commentary that flows back and forth on this website. I've seen a few bashing remarks regarding Mack Brown and Rick Barnes and I would just like to make a comment. Mack Brown and Rick Barnes are probably not the best in game coaches, but they are very few coaches who can match their ability to develop a player. There are some coaches who can flat out coach when it comes to Xs & Os in college, but they have no idea how to develop a talented player. Some of these 5 star prospects completely underachieve in college yet somehow find their groove in the pros. There are others who are collegiate stars because of the system they play in, yet have no real talent and become complete busts when they turn pro.   There have been very few busts when it comes to the Longhorns unlike some other schools.

About a year and a half ago, I worked for a few months at a Golf Club where Rick Barnes is in the Board of Directors and I had the pleasure of meeting both Mack & Rick. I asked them what philosophy of coaching they prescribed to. Now Mack is usually a soft spoken person but when he talks, people listen, while Rick is always making wise-ass remarks; however, both believe in the No Nonsense Philosophy. Players get away with nothing. Mack & Rick don't directly discipline the players because many of these players need a father figure who is understanding as some of them may have no father at all or some have fathers who are the classic over-bearing joke trying to live his dream through his kids, but they let the assistants discipline them if they go out of line. Mack told me he doesn't care as much about winning and losing as much as he cares about developing men. He said something along the lines of "If I develop respectful, hard-working players who leave everything on the field, the wins will be a byproduct of their efforts." As for Rick, he treats his players like equals and the players respect him because of it, yet his practices are pretty brutal and they emphasize defense, contrary to what many people believe. There is no doubt that these guys can recruit and develop talent as evidenced by the NBA and NFL Draft and the success of Longhorns while the are pros. And that is a huge part of being a college head coach.