Coach of The Year

by RMHorn on Dec 27, 2009 1:04 PM CST

Urban Meyer leaving college football is a loss to the sport, hopefully a temporary one. That said, all the love he's receiving now, along with Patterson's AP selection has me wondering if/when Mack Brown will ever get the love he's earned as a hugely successful coach - OUR hugely successful coach in Austin.

I admit I was a part of the "FireMackBrown.com" chanters back in the early 2000's after watching so many of his talented teams fail to reach their potential, as I was particularly disgusted by the 60-something to single-digit-something throttlings we received from OU. But long ago I made my mea-culpa and began to truly appreciate what we have on the 40 Acres.

But it seems like the national media and those who confer these awards on coaches haven't begun to appreciate his contributions to college football. It's always the "Mr. February" or "with all that talent they SHOULD win" commentary that scuttles the recognition the man is due. Do they really think the talent comes to Austin on its own? Do they really think MB hasn't been impacted by revolving door assistant coaches moving on to greater things like Stoops, Saban or others who regularly get recognized?

It will be a travesty of historical proportions if Coach Brown were to put in another 3-5 years in Austin, win more NC's and continue the streak of 10+ win seasons without being recognized by his peers, sports media and fans for the immense talent he's become.

I've voted in the http://www.coachoftheyear.com poll (only open till this Tuesday, 12/29 midnight) like the Texas Exes have asked us to do. We can vote daily - know that all Meyer's supporters are going to direct their sympathy votes towards him in the next two days. This is just one of the possible COTY awards out there. I wish AP had recognized him, no slight to Patterson, but c'mon!?!?

Mack has earned our love, respect and admiration for consistency and results. We all hope he delivers another glass football to Austin in a few weeks. He's not going to get much national love this season regardless of the results of January 7th. But if we have another 10+ win season next year with a new QB he will have earned it. And it's not too early to start the drumbeat for a man who turned around one of his biggest skeptics who now sees just how under-appreciated his leadership in his profession (new contract millions aside) is.

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Comments

I think you underestimate how much respect Brown has nationally

It’s substantial. The “underachiever” label is long gone.

You ain't hurt.

by Peter Bean on Dec 27, 2009 1:33 PM CST reply actions

Tsk Tsk

Trying to ride Mack Brown – the classiest representative of any University – out of Austin.

by realmccoy on Dec 27, 2009 7:10 PM CST reply actions

You're Pretty Much An Idiot

To take a post that’s complimentary about MB and call it out as a slam. Correction – you’re an ass!!!

by RMHorn on Dec 27, 2009 8:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Obviously I love Mack,

but Meyer has 2 national championships in the past 3 seasons. There’s a reason he gets so much love.

3/19/2009 - Dogus Balbay Made a Three-Pointer. Never Forget.

by burrito on Dec 27, 2009 9:02 PM CST reply actions

I think Mack gets a ton of respect from his peers

And also a lot from the media, but he’s not quite as “fun” as the other guys you mentioned. That leads to less discussion about him by the media, at least compared to coaches like Saban or Meyer. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but I guess it doesn’t help with rewards like this.

by TheElusiveShadow on Dec 27, 2009 9:26 PM CST reply actions

Random thoughts

I agree with PB that the underachiever label is gone. And the national respect is there. I think Sports Illustrated or ESPN has him 3rd in the “Coach of the Decade” in front of Stoops and Tressel.

That being said, I think (for some people) the “CEO” label sometimes takes away some of his individual credit for what his program has done. Of all the coaches on “The short list” of great ones out there, he is probably viewed as the most “Hands off”.

Also, one aspect of those awards is alsways “Who did more with less?” As a UT fan I don’t ever want us to have less! And if that is the difference then, I am OK with that.

There is only one trophy that matters most.

"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese

by SwimTexas on Dec 28, 2009 12:15 PM CST reply actions