Searels to Texas: Coaching Search Finally Over
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 20, 2011 5:14 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintWhen former Georgia OL coach Stacy Searels got on the plane Wednesday to make the trip from Athens to Austin, it seemed pretty clear that he was going to become the next Texas offensive line coach. The misses on Jeff Grimes and Steve Addazio were simply too high profile to afford having another coach come to Austin, only to leave without taking the job.
Searels arrived on Wednesday evening with his wife and was met at the airport by Sally Brown, who reportedly took the couple out to dinner and soon after reports began to emerge that Searels would indeed take the job. On Thursday afternoon, the hire became official.
Of all the coaching hires, Searels has probably taken the most initial heat from the fanbase and those issues will be explored here in the coming days, but first some large-picture perspective.
Nearly 50 days after Texas announced that Greg Davis, Mike Tolleson, and Mac McWhorter would not return for the 2011 football season, the coaching search is finally over. In the end, Major Applewhite, Bruce Chambers, and Oscar Giles are the only holdovers from last season's staff, with Bryan Harsin, Darrell Wyatt, Bo Davis, Manny Diaz, and Jerry Gray all joining the football staff and Bennie Wylie assuming the role of strength and conditioning coach for the football program.
All in all, the search has to be considered an unqualified success, as up and down as it was at times -- notable low points include the departure of Will Muschamp and the speculation in the moments following that Texas could lose Major Applewhite as well and Duane Akina's unexpected decision to make a lateral move to Arizona. High points include the hiring of bright young minds like Harsin and Diaz and the quick turnaround with Jerry Gray replacing Duane Akina in less than 24 hours.
Now that it's all over, how do you feel about the process, Longhorn fans?
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Very positive about the future
Searels is the most questionable hire, but his overall reputation is solid.
This might be a sore spot, but with absolutely no hint of HCIW intent in this statement, I’ll say that in Jerry Gray, Mack might have hired his successor.
Fig Newton: The force required to accelerate a fig 39.37 inches per sec.
J. Hart
Would go a different way
Gray was passed over for DC – so I have a hard time putting him at the top. My guess is Hairsin gets a head gig in 2 years, Mack stays 3 or 4 more, and the redhead gets a Major promo to take over in Austin.
Note to Bill Byrne "Because you aren´t Texas and you´ll never be Texas"
Why
Would you rate Gray lower as a DB hire just because he was mentioned as a DC, even though nobody every gave him serious consideration? You can be a great DB coach and be a terrible DC. They have very little in common. Even if he were the DC/DB coach, he could be a terrible DC and the best DB coach in the country (hypothetically). The two are completely disparate talents.
by GoHornsGo90 on Jan 21, 2011 12:24 AM CST up reply actions
It appears by "putting him at the top" realmccoy meant as head coach, not as the top hire
That’s just judging from the post to which realmccoy was responding.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:39 AM CST up reply actions
You're completely right
My apologies, rm.
by GoHornsGo90 on Jan 21, 2011 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
FWIW, I do think Gray is easily the best hire, relative to the position he'll fill
I think Bo Davis might be second, but that’s more arguable in my book.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
You also have to wonder how much race plays in a head coaching hire. I would hope today that it wouldn’t, but I’ve read too may articles with a lot of disparaging information about the CF (and NFL) hiring process. There are a lot of uphill battles for African-American coaches.
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 9:32 AM CST up reply actions
Searels may be the least impressive of the new hires (considering the other candidates we were hoping for), but he seems like a solid enough hire.
More than anything else, the hunger of the new staff should keep everyone in step…I have the feeling that the staff will not have any patience for those not pulling their own weight (though this appears to have been Major’s position last season, this season he is joined by several who appear to have that attitude).
Accordingly, I’m thrilled with the new staff as assembled.
No idea where all the love for Jerry Gray is coming from
I remember him well as a player at UT and in the pros, and have read his resume as a coach but am blown away by the comments I’ve read from those who are ready to hand him the keys to the program simply because he’s a popular alumnus Let’s at least see how he does coaching and recruiting at the college level before we lobby for him to get a different job.
I think it's hard to look at him as a potential successor to MB right now
Honestly, everything seems to point toward either Applewhite or an outside hire. Outside hires aren’t necessarily bad, either. Mack was one.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 20, 2011 6:00 PM CST up reply actions
Throughout this entire process,
Searels has been my first choice for OL coach.
See ya later, alligator.
"Now that it's all over, how do you feel about the process, Longhorn fans?" - Alternatively...
instead of replying to that question, post your apologies here for being an alarmist and worrying that Muschamp’s departure signaled the end of the Mack Brown era.
I couldn’t be happier about all these choices. I think the offense is finally going to be fun to watch again. I can’t wait for the spring game.
I don't think a single fan
Has anything to “apologize” about for investing themselves so thoroughly in the team. It was a horrendous season capped off by a dark time with seemingly our only bright spot leaving. Just because some of the hires look good now doesn’t necessitate a good or even better season. Is it likely we improve? I certainly think so. Does that mean we wouldn’t still have been better if Muschamp were still here/became head coach? That’s certainly possible as well.
by GoHornsGo90 on Jan 21, 2011 12:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Very disappointed to have lost Akina & Muschamp ...
… but am pleasantly surprised that we probably have a much better staff overall than before. The thing I love is that the status-quo on the team has had a major shake-up for both players and coaching staff. Sometimes, a shake-up is exactly what is needed after a scary down year. The practice field is going to be an intense place to be this coming Fall.
I never doubted Mack. I knew that he’d bring in great coaches just like he brings in great players. After all this, however, I must say that he is the absolute KING of recruiting. Simply amazing what he just did to change the attitude.
I thought Akina would be the hardest to replace
And it turns out the best hire was to replace him. Overall staff upgrades! I’m thrilled.
I’m ready for some football!!!
The drama is officially over, and that includes any high school press conferences!!
Kinda like the season past
The coaching-search process was long, drawn-out, at times painful, occasionally encouraging, and overall left me looking forward to next year.
Thankfully the Horns have had a pretty good basketball team, which has been a welcome distraction.
I’d throw this one out to the masses: Which coach will have the most noticeable impact next season:
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
Bo
Bo knows defensive tackles. He’s going to get some gritty performances out of Randall and at least one other kid.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 20, 2011 5:54 PM CST up reply actions
Behind every great man is a great woman.
Is Sally Brown the MVP in all of this? I think she deserves a special statue or something on the 40 Acres.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
The worst part is
that we likely lost Christian Westerman. We need him.
It has been very up and down. Losing Akina and Muschamp is tough. But the departure of Davis is great. There will be little drop off at the various positions, I think. And the new additions will give us a renewed energy. Just think when things really get humming. They’ve got a long offseason to get ready. Once camp starts, it’s gonna be crazy.
In the whole process, who knows? We may have even gotten our future head coach in Jerry Gray. It’s nice to know as the people come and go, the program remains the same. We are Texas. Hook’em.
Wonder what Applewhite is thinking
When he was first hired, there was alot of talk about his being unofficial HCIW. Then Muschamp was hired and made official HCIW. Then Muschamp leaves, again opening the door for Applewhite. Suddenly Akina leaves, Gray is hired and before he even arrives on campus, there is talk of his being the next HC. I wouldn’t be surprised if Applewhite takes another job, if offered in the next year or so.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
Like most fans I don't know much about coaches . . .
. . . but the proof is in the pudding. The only one of these guys that I had ever heard of was Harsin. I think that is a great hire. The strength of MissState was the defence, so that’s a good hire too. Georgia has had good-to-great OLine play for a few years now, so there’s another good hire. Jerry Gray has a great name and a great resume. The other’s? Heck I don’t know, but I am sure jazzed that somebody has heard of them. How many recruits will we get because of these guys? I think quite a few. After the dejection of Muschamp leaving and all that, I feel great about next year. Mack Rocks!
I feel generally positive as well
Loved the fact that we got Harsin. I especially liked his philosophy of “customizing” the playbook for each player’s skill set to keep everyone energized in practices throughout the week with the real possibility that they will get to play on Saturday. More fun for the fans and players and, no doubt, a boost on the recruiting trail.
To get, what 7?, new coaches of this overall quality ...
Is remarkable. The youth and energy of the group is exciting. This reminds me of the feel leading up the the beatdown of ASU in the Holiday Bowl. That team went on a run after that that culminated in the MNC vs. Alabama last year. New attitude. New coaches. I expect a little chip on the shoulder next season and some innovation and excitement. With two straight Top 2 recruiting classes in the house and this new staff … no excuses. Here we go.
Overall impression … It looks like Mack has tried to create evil orange mutant beast that has the toughness and moxy of the SEC, along with the offensive innovation and matchup creation of Boise. I like it.
I see the staff as very complimentary of each other, as well (starting with Harsin and Major). Was in Miss. recently and a Miss. St. alum said that Diaz’s weakness is perhaps in handling the secondary personnel. And then some guy named Gray joined us … wow. We went from the outhouse (Akina leaving) to the penthouse with that hire.
One query, though: Akina was the logical fit to get back to special teams, where he is phenomenal. Who will take over that role? Gray?
"I've always been an admirer of Texas' clock management. Now, I am completely sold." -- Les Miles
by Distributor of the Football on Jan 20, 2011 6:24 PM CST reply actions
I would echo these sentiments
and add that Muschamp/Akina leaving and Diaz/Gray replacing is a net positive change. Fact is the last two years tough opponents have outmuscled us on both sides of the ball, not just our offensive line. Searles is a solid if unspectacular hire who along with Wylie will be demanding on the offensive line. Davis and Diaz will emphasize strength in the defensive front 7 and possibly be more choosy in some of their recruiting selections than their predecessors. Maybe we’ll be able to revert back to the idea of being ‘Texas-tough’ rather than being ‘SEC-tough’.
Overall grade: A- and glad the search is over. Gimme some spring football.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions
Well said ...
And funny, I agree that our defensive change is a net positive. And losing great coaches like Muschamp and Akina, that is saying something. The jury is still out, but I think it is a net positive. My Miss. State guy (man, every one in SEC country pretty much can talk some serious football) said that our man Diaz is going to come after people. Makes me feel good to have Gray watching the backside under such a system. I like it.
The big X-factor is the energy of all the new people and young coaches, plus the chip that I think folks are getting this off-season being left out, etc. Every one is talking about some one other than Texas. I believe that will change in September.
I will change my legal name to "I. M. Harsin" if Texas scores on a Statue of Liberty or Hook-and-Ladder vs. OU."
by Distributor of the Football on Jan 20, 2011 9:52 PM CST up reply actions
I would definitely love to stop seeing reverent praise for all things SEC in here...
…and see a lot more “Texas tough.”
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:41 AM CST up reply actions
"reverent praise for all things SEC in here."
Apparently Mack also thinks the best football is played and taught in the SEC, as most of the new coaches, as well as a number who apparently were considered but not interested, are from the SEC.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
There's also representation from the WAC, Big 12, and NFL
Three guys from the SEC—four if you count Wylie. Two are Saban proteges. I’m not sure that says a whole lot about the SEC at large. The SEC is generally more athletic, but players lack the discipline that they have in the Big Ten, as Chizik said when he left Texas for Iowa State (Bill King interview).
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:09 PM CST up reply actions
And I will change my name to Harsin, if my demands are met ...
Like that guy. He is smart, confidient, with a humilty about him. Sharp. I have a feeling that we are going to look at our offense, and in a strange sort of way the dramatic improvement will be a negative for Mack. That is, why so long to do this? Oh, my … that’s what happens when you scheme, etc.
I will change my legal name to "I. M. Harsin" if Texas scores on a Statue of Liberty or Hook-and-Ladder vs. OU."
by Distributor of the Football on Jan 20, 2011 6:32 PM CST reply actions
MB 3 mo' years, then Bryan Harsin?
Who says the future head coach isn’t Bryan Harsin! If his offense rips and ravages like I think it will, I would love to see him as Main Man here some day in the not-so-distant future.
I think Chris Petersen would be a more likely candidate
He’s been Harsin’s mentor and has clearly indicated that he’d take the Texas HC job if offered.
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 20, 2011 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
Has he? When did he do this?
There was an article I read on here that seemed to be largely speculative, but I missed anything that Peterson said or did that indicated as much.
That said, you’d think the guy would have to be crazy not to jump from Boise to Austin.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:42 AM CST up reply actions
See my comment above on Applewhite
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
I'm wondering who's going to get the blame...
when the offense has a rough spot. It’s been an automatic assumption to put all the blame on Greg Davis for 13 years. I’m wondering how the blame game is going to work for the new crew.
First, we'll see who accepts the blame or who ducks it.
Or, as in this year, accepting the blame didn’t get us anywhere until these last two months. We’ve lost ole reliable but, unfortunately, Mack is still a shining target if things go bad again.
Plus, we, as fans, have been hypersensitive at times. There will be a honeymoon but at some point it will fade away. It is a new ball game in the blame game.
So, we should buy FireBryanHarsin.com and check flyover prices just in case?
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 9:34 AM CST up reply actions
I checked.
Someone bought the domain. Unbelievable.
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 9:47 AM CST up reply actions
Nothing like being prepared, I guess...
"I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day." -Frank Sinatra
Some people are just too pessimistic.
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 21, 2011 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
There is hope...
FireMannyDiaz.com and FireStacySearels.com are still available.
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
For now…
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe the domain is owned by someone at Boise State
who no longer needs it.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
I can’t imagine anyone at Boise wanting that domain. Harsin was nothing but successful there.
I’m assuming it was bought up by one of those companies that buys up lots of possible popular domain names and wants to resell at a huge markup.
Or maybe a GD lover bought it.
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
I'm wondering the same thing.
GD, without alot of apparent fire or charisma and seldom seen except behind glass, has been a convenient scape-goat, especially this past season where his worst critics adroitly were able to blame him even for failings on the defensive side of the ball. This coming year any continuing failure on the part of the offense will have to laid at either Brown or Applewhite, since they are the only two constants this past year and next. Some, of course, will continue to blame GD, saying all the players need a couple of years to “unlearn” what GD taught them.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
Sadly...
Some, of course, will continue to blame GD, saying all the players need a couple of years to "unlearn" what GD taught them.
…now that I contemplate this, I think you’re on the money here. I had hoped, if nothing else, that would be able to move beyond the irrational assigning of blame on GD, but if he could be blamed last season for opposing teams ramming the ball down our defense’s throat on the opening drive of a second half, he’ll certainly continue to be a convenient scapegoat for some.
To be filled in later.
by Hopkins Horn on Jan 21, 2011 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
The spring is going to be key to the next season and they don’t actually get that much time together. All new coaches, new schemes, new thinking for the players…With that limited time, I expect some drop off the first few games just to get the players in sync and on the same page. Be prepared to give GG and the rest of the offense some slack the first few weeks.
(If they are still able to move and walk upright from the off-season S&C program…)
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think "convenient"
Necessarily means “incorrect.” When players are taught something for four years, it is hard to un-learn it and then have to re-teach it in the span of one off-season. What is wrong with giving deference to that assumption?
by GoHornsGo90 on Jan 21, 2011 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
There are very few guys who'll be starting on the offense who learned from Davis for more than even two years
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
Dude it's just an example
I know we have a young team, but there ARE guys on the team who will be upper classmen, believe it or not.
Gilbert and the receivers will also be constants
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 21, 2011 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
The process...
… I think the process was tough from a fan point of view because of the uncertainty. But the time expectations from the fan base were unreasonable and, frankly, reactionary. A lot of people turned into Chicken Littles (including myself ‘round about the time Holgorsen took the WVa job). Mack pretty much took us to school on how this is done. He did it on his own time table, and whaddya know, he assembled a pretty enviable staff, on paper anyway. In retrospect it seems foolish that we didn’t give Mack the benefit of the doubt.
With the net and the expanding role of blogging, the micro attention was inevitable.
Once people got the info tube in their arm, it caused some reactions not always for the best.
i agree
BON is my sole purveyor of burnt orange crack. and i gotta take a hit at least every couple of hours.
by dukeoforange on Jan 21, 2011 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
God I have the same problem
It really is ridiculous how often I check this site now
"I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day." -Frank Sinatra
Fortunately, it is free...except for your time, of course.
Strangely enough, the more pressed for time I get, the more I check in. Otherwise I try to get out and about on the net.
I think the Chicken Little analogy is a little unfair
Many, if not most of us, has a sense of urgency early in the season that things were not right and changes needed to be made. Mack did not seem to share that sense of urgency, and things went from bad to worse while no substantive changes were made in players, scheme, approach, coaches, or anything else during the season. Accountabilty was preached but not enforced. Many of us also had a sense of urgency after the season ended, which again Mack did not seem to share. However, this was not a senseless panic on the part of BON. Things became particularly urgent after Muschamp left, along with rumors of Applewhite and Akina leaving. There were at least 2 legitimate reasons for urgency. One was we were faced with an almost vacant coaching staff and uncertainty is not good for recruiting. We apparently lost only one recruit but could have lost more. Second, other college and NFL teams were hiring coaches even before the bowl games, coaches were had some interest in and thus our options were narrowing.
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
"...coaches in which we had some interest."
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
I’m just glad it’s all finally over. I don’t know if Searles is any good or not. Stability on the staff finally entering into the most important recruiting period is crucial. Whether we lose the Westerman commitment or not, Longhorn football will survive and maybe continue thrive. One player should not make a complete difference.
Funny you said that...
I see the Westerman family outing thing looking alot like the Jevan Snead family outing. Worked out just fine for us.
Overall, I don't see how anyone can complain about the hires
especially given how the BON community was running around with their heads cut off after Muschamp bailed for Florida.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 21, 2011 12:39 AM CST reply actions
Feel pretty good about what Mack's done.
Most of all, I’m ready to watch the offense grow over the next couple years.
It will be interesting to compare the success of the staff assembled by Mack with those assembled by Muschamp at Florida and Hoke at Michigan. Three big time programs overhauling their staff at the same time. Should make for a nice retrospective in a few years.
One of Harsins Greatest Attributes
It was stated about him that he will not put a play in a game that has not been first perfected in practice.
This made me laugh. You know GD perfected those bubble screens in practice.
And how did that work for us?
:-)
What we have here is a failure to execute.
by dimecoverage on Jan 21, 2011 8:27 PM CST up reply actions
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