There's so much competition for coaches with HC openings at Miami and Florida (possibly Michigan) and OC openings at OU and Nebraska, why aren't we actively interviewing coaching candidates now?  I realize that the candidates for the HC openings are different than those for the OC openings, but we all know how when one hire is made the dominoes then begin to fall (Petersen to Florida, Harsin to Boise HC or a new head coach leaves his staff behind and now HE is also looking for an OC).

1.  Well, Mack doesn't want to be disrespectful and step on the toes of another HC who is preparing for a bowl game.  I'm sorry, but unless you are preparing for the National Championship game (and I don't think we are seriously targeting any coaches from Auburn or Oregon), who gives a shit.  Its the nature of the beast.  We'd like to fly your OC down to Austin for one day and show him around and interview him.  I apologize if we are interrupting your preparations for the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl.  Many of these teams are not even conducting on-field practices yet with finals going on.  If we choose to hire your coach, we have no problem with him staying on and coaching you through your bowl game (if that school still wants him).  The schools with HC openings sure as hell aren't waiting. 

Well, what if the shoe was on the other foot and it was your OC being sought after?  Well, I can't even fathom that hypothetical because our OC has been Greg Davis for the last 13 years.  I'm guessing that we would have paid to fly Greg where ever.  So what if it was your DC being sought after?  That would suck.  But that's the way it goes.  

2.  While we may not be asking for official permission, we are working behind the scenes, putting feelers out, etc.  Isn't that more disrespectful?

Get out there and start asking for permission to interview potential candidates.  Hiring away an OC from a team playing what is essentially an exhibition game is not going to cripple that team like hiring their HC might.  And while this may contribute to what is perceived as "Texas arrogance," you would be saying that we think making a hire at the coordinator level at Texas is just as important and valuable as your school hiring a head coach.  FWIW.