After a thrilling win at home over Notre Dame to start the 2016 season Texas Longhorns fans were thumping their chests proclaiming that head coach Charlie Strong had this team back to their National Title contending status. Now, fast forward five weeks later and the temperament of Longhorns fans are that they want him sent packing out of Austin, like Uber and Lyft.
So, my question to these fans is: what happened?
Was it because Texas pulled out the win over Notre Dame in overtime; despite giving up a 17 point lead? Or, is it because Longhorns fans minds are so warped because of unreasonable expectations that Mack Brown left implanted in to their minds of what a football season should look like?
Yeah, I think that’s what’s going on here.
Texas fans need to take a page out of the song from Frankie Goes To Hollywood and “Relax”. Yes, it’s annoying to see your beloved team struggle for a third straight year. However, look at what your former head coach has left for coach Strong.
Had a great call w/ Coach Strong. We’re behind our student-athletes and coaches as they prepare for OU and rest of the season @Longhorn_FB
— Greg Fenves (@gregfenves) October 5, 2016
Since taking over for Brown in 2014 there has been only one player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft; with two other Longhorns following the last pick of the first round that year, Defensive Tackle Malcolm Brown. During the 2016 draft only one Longhorn made it to the NFL Draft, and he was picked in the fourth round.
That makes two years, 512 picks, and only four players selected. To put that in to perspective, during those two years Texas A&M has had five players selected, TCU has seen seven men taken, and Baylor has had eight players make it on to an NFL roster.
OrangeBloods.com‘s Anwar Richardson tweeted from the Longhorns’ press conference about Strong’s mentality going into Oklahoma game. “Texas coach Charlie Strong said he doesn’t need any reassurances about his job security. Said there are eight games left. They need to play.”
Last year, the win at the Cotton Bowl over the rival Sooners saw Strong’s players carry him off of the field on their shoulders. This season, the result may be the same, but the happiness may be more of a sigh of relief over joyfulness.
Brighter days are ahead of the Longhorns. Coach Strong has been able to recruit well in his short tenure on the 40-acres. According to 247Sports, Texas had the seventh best recruiting class in 2016, and 10th in ’15.
So let’s give this some time before the villagers light their torches to run the head coach out of town, because right now he’s taking boys into games against men. And, the result, while shocking to the unrealistic expectations by fans, is expected.
Give it time, people. Rome wasn’t built in a day. And, so won’t be the Texas Longhorns.
