The truth about Rick Barnes is multifaceted. Before we investigate anything regarding the comparisons, we have to examine the future disparity. There are some here who have questioned the basketball relevance of our own Coach Barnes. Soon we will see the truth. There is in an era of spring games, endless recruiting seasons (with their accompanying violations) a willingness to overlook facts, statistics, and skills for an ESPN fed diet of soundbites and 40 yard dash times. On the basketball side you have the whole AAU debacle which needs no elaboration.

John Mackovick was the coach of the Longhorns football team, and despite those of you who would argue to the contrary he was not unsuccessful. He reestablished our offensive recruiting prowess, and brought us some memorable wins. He actually won 3 conference championships. Check Mack Brown's record on that regard. Still no one would say that the Mackovick era was great. WHY? Consistency. Rick Barnes is consistently good. Those of you who would deny this point have failed in a moment of logical crisis. You say, "But Texas should win championships." I ask you, "Why?" Mack Brown doesn't regularly. Coach Barnes is a solid and righteous coach with a sense of consistency, virtue, and destiny. Mackovick was flighty. He soared to the skies but then crashed into the slime of quicksand which led to losses to the Fighting Bears of Baylor University and the Rice University Owls football team (even though the band did not lose).

Why, how, and when? Essentially, the Spring Game is today. We will watch it, but in watching be grateful that we do not need such a spectacle to ensure success. It is a celebration of football power. However it is also a celebration of sports power. We may not win everything, but we are a consistently strong sports presenting university and state with millions of fans both in Texas and around the world. To sum it all up.....Rick is not John.