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Update: Here are the new open practice times:
Change to open practice times, they will now be: Thurs., Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m.; and Sat., Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.
— MBTexasFootball (@MBTexasFootball) August 2, 2013
Fans anxious to see the Texas Longhorns in action this fall will have the opportunity to do so as the team finishes their first week of practice.
Starting on Thursday, August 8 (5 p.m.) and continuing the next two days at 4:10 p.m. and 6 p.m., the public will be able to watch the Longhorns practice at Denius Fields, which is a slight departure from years past when open practices always took place at the stadium. The school suggests that attendees park in the Manor Garage, while adverse weather conditions could alter plans and force practice inside the bubble.
With the first several days of practice open to the media (though no live updates will be allowed), the decision to open up so many practices follows on the heels of the school allowing media at both of the big summer camps, a major change. Perhaps it's not a coincidence that all this started happening after new Director of Player Personnel Patrick Suddes arrived.
And allowing access at both summer camps and practice makes sense -- it increases the stakes for those participating, giving recruits a chance to impress evaluators and players the knowledge that their success or failures will receive scrutiny from fans as well as coaches.
Furthermore, the launch of the Longhorn Network two years ago so greatly increased access to the program that the difference between normal exposure and allowing fans and media to attend practices was significantly diminished.
Plus, maybe Mack Brown even realizes how much we need some football to talk about.