As a Texas Longhorns alum, defensive coordinator Vance Bedford has a unique perspective on what it means to wear the burnt orange and white.
So when he lit into his defense this week following what he described as an awful performance against the Iowa State Cyclones, he should have some credibility with his players.
Bedford described the post-rant scene as a group of "real sad and unhappy" players and promised that his defense will be ready to play against the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday night.
One point of emphasis was convincing the youngsters that they aren't Vince Young or Ricky Williams or Derrick Johnson or even Malcom Brown.
As the team works on adjusting its identity to better fit the current reality, they also have to adjust their perception of what it means to wear that jersey.
"When things are going well, I'm a high-five guy," Bedford said. "When things aren't going well, my daddy told me to put my foot where the sun don't shine. All the guys and players around me understand that. They understand the pride that I have in this University because I played here, (and) that's not where we are right now. It's not acceptable to be where we are.
"Quit walking around with that uniform on just being content with that uniform on. I'm very passionate about that. I get very upset about that. Go put your stamp on what it means to be a Longhorn. That means every day in practice, and in every ballgame, you're fired up to represent all the great players and the great teams and the coaches that have come before you. What they did, you had nothing to do with that. Put your stamp on it. I'm very passionate about it."