Morning Coffee Screams

by Peter Bean on Jan 17, 2008 7:37 AM CST in Quick Hits Comment 12 comments

[/wishful thinking] I had planned to write this morning about whether Jamaal Charles might reconsider his decision to leave early for the NFL after some 11 other junior tailbacks decided to throw their own hats into the ring. The Statesman squashes that thought, however, reporting that Charles' mind is made up. As much fun as this offseason's been so far, I suppose the law of averages was against us.

Me [expletive] too. Andrew mentioned this in the diaries, but it's a story worth sharing again: Bob Knight got win #900 last night as his Red Raiders defeated Texas A&M in Lubbock. More important than the win or the milestone, however, was the opportunity for Knight to pick up a microphone and address the crowd afterwards. Take it away, Coach:

"Our players really played hard tonight against a really good team," Knight said. "You people here tonight, with seats being full for a change, really made one hell of a difference."

After Knight talked, a rowdy Tech student section began chanting, "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby." Later while addressing the media, Knight was asked to say a few words about reaching 900 career wins.

"I'm [expletive] glad it's over – that's a few words," Knight said. "I'm happy that I've been able to coach this long. ... That's a mark of longevity as much as anything else, so I'm just glad I lived this long."

Click here for video.

For what it's worth, Double T Nation says the seats weren't filled to capacity. Regardless, AW and I continue to admire Coach Knight's unique mix of coaching and candor.

I'm in the wrong business. Major Applewhite will make $250,000 per year for his services in Austin, the same salary that Nick Saban paid him at Alabama. Meanwhile, Kirk Bohls has an imaginary conversation with Major about his decision to come to Austin.

Speaking of which, yesterday's post refuting Roll Bama Roll's Applewhite explanation was a little bit off. Not so much in content, but tone. The guys at RBR are not just colleagues, but friends as well. I mentioned in the piece that it's one of the finest 'Bama blogs around, but that's an understatement; it's one of the finest sports blogs around, of any team. Make sure you're reading.

Do you think there will be screaming girls? The official Texas football site notes that fans can watch the Major Applewhite introductory press conference live on streaming video this morning at 10 a.m. I'll give you a sneak peek:

OH MY GOD!

--PB--

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Sort of off topic but not worth a diary...

Hey, remember when everyone was talking about Muschamp getting a "Jimbo Fisher" deal when he came to Texas and everyone got all excited? Of course you do, it was a week and a half ago.

Well, that disappeared quickly, didn't it? Now everyone's talking about Major getting a "wink-wink" Jimbo Fisher deal and everyone's all excited about when Major eventually takes over as OC and then head coach when Mack retires.

So uh, which is it guys? Personally, I'd take Muschamp. I love Major as much as the next guy, but let's not get crazy here. He hasn't proven a whole lot yet. And yeah, he's a Texas guy and loyalty, etc. But remember: DKR was an okie.

by billyzane on Jan 17, 2008 9:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Glad someone mentioned it

I was wondering when ths was going to come up. The Muschamp deal seems like the more difficult hire of the two. The way I understand their deals, they both came for the same amount of money they would have made at their respective schools, and both moves were "lateral." IMO Muschamp needed to be lured more than Major, and I wouldn't be suprised if he's being groomed as Mack's replacement. Truly speculation though.

Couldn't agree w/ zane's take more.

by Horndogger on Jan 17, 2008 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Muschamp is much closer to being ready to take over a program. I would hope that when Mack retires, Greg will retire with him and we'll have a Muschamp HC / Major OC situation.

The only thing I wonder about... Does Major's title of Assistant Head Coach indicate that the University feels he's next in line?

by gwh65 on Jan 17, 2008 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt that.

Titles are cheap but it is better than what he had at Bama (OC with strings). Plus, there are all sorts of incentives for the coaching staff regarding titles and victories, so the AHC could easily play into those. Same goes for Muschamp. They're making the same salaries but the incentives and those consistent 10-win seasons suggest that there's much more moola in the pot at the end of the season. Beat OU and aTm and that 10-gallon hat runneth over.

I agree that Muschamp has the edge for the top spot at the moment, but I get the feeling the Texas brass are developing a coaching team for the future, with some time to develop and nurture as well as assess their strengths and weaknesses. If Muschamp is as good as advertised, he will be hard to hold on to unless there are some serious deals involved.

Last, I think Mack and GD are gone after this coming year (that is, kicked upstairs). They've almost stayed at the party too long and the pressure is wearing them out; they've become cautious and careful now. A youthful infusion will help, but it won't stop the pressure on them personally. Nothing does in this spotlight. They get one more shot at OU, aTm, the Big 12 title and the MNC. But really, they get to set up the next great team, 2009, for someone else.

The big donors stoked the fire hotter and higher before the bowl game; the guys in the back row wanted something much better and they got it.

by whills on Jan 17, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think his title...

is indicative of future career promises. Didn't Akina go from Co-DC to Secondary Coach/AHC? So I don't think AHC means next-in-line or anything like that.

Hook 'em Horns

by LonghornWSO on Jan 17, 2008 10:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mack says he's coaching at least until he's 78

Mack mentioned in Major's presser today that he plans to coach until he's 78 like Bowden. I recall he mentioned this as well during Muschamp's presser. If that's the case, I doubt any of the current assistants are going to stay here that long for Mack to retire.

Am I missing something here that you all think either Major or Muschamp might take over? Everything I've heard thus far is that something to the effect of, "Texas doesn't promote assistants to head coach."

by sosodef76 on Jan 17, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He was kidding

that's like 20 more years. It's generally agreed upon that Mack's going to retire sooner rather than later and most speculation has it in the next 3-5 years.

2009 give Texas its best shot a national title since 2005 so we'll see him there through then. Who knows after that.

by billyzane on Jan 17, 2008 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe coaching shuffleboard at the local bar

but he ain't gonna be at Texas that long.

Just because Texas hasn't promoted AHC's recently doesn't mean they won't. They'll do what they have to do at the time. Notice that change doesn't come easily to the coaching staff, but when it does, it is quick and dramatic. Past performance does not necessarily indicated future performance. They go for what they think is the best regardless of where they find it.

That Mack said it twice means it's a diversion or a sanguine hope. And just because he's the head coach, that doesn't mean he knows everything.

by whills on Jan 17, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of shuffleboard......

.....anyone ever play at the Horseshoe Lounge on South Lamar? There was an old man that was in there playing shuffleboard every night, he was amazing! I wonder if he is still there? That was one of the best places to drink on a fake ID.

Sorry for the off-topic trip down memory lane.

College was fun!

by 16thLonghorn on Jan 17, 2008 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I played at Hole in the Wall

back when I was in school. Loved that shit.

by the other Andrew on Jan 17, 2008 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh God yes

They took our IDs back in high school, which made it our favorite destination. Endless fun.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Jan 17, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, the Hole in the Wall

They took ANY ID any time ... if they even asked for one.

Ahhhh, memories. I worked at the Texan across the street. A few times, we had budget meetings at the Hole over pitchers of Shiner and those awful American cheese nachos.

What I remember most, aside from the frosty Shiner, was that my feet always stuck to the floor.

I refused to name my children Vince, Kevin or Major ... despite my secret desire to do so.

by EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel on Jan 17, 2008 9:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs