Larry MacDuff Leaves The Texas Staff
by PB @ BON
on Jan 2, 2008 5:10 PM CST
in Football
8 comments
Larry MacDuff has left almost as quickly as he arrived. According to the MB-TF official release:
Though some have speculated this is Mack Brown ushering out MacDuff so that he can bring in someone else, it's that bolded part of the quote above that has me scratching my head.
Let's assume this was Mack's decision. Under what circumstances would the decision be made to use the phrase "philosophical differences" in the parting release? It's just a puzzling way to phrase the break up if it was a unilateral decision by Mack Brown.
In truth, the quote makes more sense if it's taken at face value. Which makes one wonder: what were these philosophical differences? Was MacDuff unhappy with the role he played on the staff? Was he promised more when hired? Is he aware that Duane Akina's on the way out? Is he aware that Duane Akina's staying? It's all a bit mysterious, and though I wasn't shocked to see the actual headline, I'm certainly perplexed by the way it's been presented.
Regardless, Texas is out its Linebackers Coach and the big question concerns what happens next. Mack can:
A. Keep Duane Akina as Defensive Backs Coach and let him continue to call plays.
B. Keep Duane Akina as Defensive Backs Coach and bring in a Linebackers Coach to call plays.
C. Fire Duane Akina and bring in a new LB Coach and DB Coach, one of whom calls plays.
I think most Texas fans would prefer Option C, but we know how loyal Mack Brown is to His Guys, we know that Duane Akina is one of Mack's Guys, and we know that Akina would really like to stay in Austin, if possible. It's too bad we missed out on Brian Van Gorder (BON profiled Van Gorder to replace Chizik last December), but as I mentioned last week, John Tenuta is still looking for work.
The problem? Tenuta is a DB Coach. If Mack Brown wants Tenuta, then Akina must go. One more reason Mack ought to go with Option C.
--PB--
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I appreciate the "(emphasis added)" at the end.
by Longhorn13 on
Jan 2, 2008 5:33 PM CST
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I, for one, would prefer Option B
Akina has been a great DB coach over the years, and while he might not appreciate the demotion, he is a clear example of the Peter Principle. I wouldn't have any issues with him staying on in the position where he produced so many Thorpe winners.
I'll fully admit to not knowing a whole lot about the NFL coaching scene this offseason, but is there ANY chance we could snag Jerry Gray from the Redskins as our DC?
by bbatsell on
Jan 2, 2008 7:15 PM CST
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philosophical differences . . .
my guess its something to do with the killebrew/bobino/derry vs norton/muck/kindle rotation. what yall think?
by sup4mn on
Jan 2, 2008 8:02 PM CST
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that explanation is b/s
If there were philosophical differences between Larry MacDuff's and Mack Brown, those would have surfaced a year ago during MacDuff's interview. The philosophical differences are almost certainly a euphemism for MacDuff's embarrasing mishandling of the linebackers from day 1.
We can only hope that some philosophical differences arise between Mack and Akina, but I'd put the likelihood of that happening at about 10%.
by jtabor on
Jan 2, 2008 8:27 PM CST
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I don't know...
... Who's fault playing KBD over KMN was. If I had to guess, I would look at the fact that you don't get too far in the NFL playing cruddy old LB's over freak-monsters that love to hit, and the fact that MB basically played no freshmen for a significant number of snaps this year outside of Beasley and any OLs he was forced to play (maybe Chiles? Nah!). From that, I would have to guess that MB made the LB decision, which makes sense because Mack was a white running back at FSU in the mid-late 1800's, meaning he likely had little personal experience with playing the best players (they played the whitest ones back then. Hmm...). I'll bet you ten bucks that the person who made the decision to start KBD was the same person that gave them the "Outstanding Linebacker" awards.
That's my guess, anyway, but maybe MacDuff is just an uber-tard and thinks KBD were better. Who knows? He teaches pass coverage like an uber-tard...
by Horn Brain on
Jan 3, 2008 2:46 AM CST
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KBD
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't:
- Killebrew show flashes of potential during his PT in our MNC season?
- Derry outperform expectations and become our most consistent, albeit physically limited, linebacker in '06?
- Bobino at least outplay his HS 2 star rating?
The fact that ALL THREE regressed under Mac Duff is telling, regardless of whose decision it was to start them.
by jc25 on
Jan 3, 2008 10:23 AM CST
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Good point.
Good luck in the NFL...
bitter bitter bitter bitter...
by Horn Brain on
Jan 3, 2008 1:12 PM CST
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Are you sure they regressed?
Perhaps they were never strong. Perhaps those strong secondary players from 05 and 06 were covering their asses during those seasons and only now, with a young secondary, did we realize KBD's deficiencies.
If you're arguing MacDuff deserved the can on the basis of KBD's so-called regression, then you should also give him credit for the incredible improvement of the younger guys, right?
MacDuff was the only guy who didn't have history with this set of players. He came with a fresh set of eyes and no lingering loyalties. I find it hard to believe that he was making the choice to start those three over Kindle/Norton/Muckelroy. That decision has Mack Brown all over it.
by Kool Hand on
Jan 3, 2008 1:58 PM CST
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