Food for thought...The dilemma at Texas.

[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5727226"]Texas Longhorns coach Mack Brown: Problems stem from feelings of 'entitlement' - ESPN@@AMEPARAM@@http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5718940@@AMEPARAM@@5718940[/ame]

AUSTIN, Texas -- Mack Brown could see the warning signs back in August.

After Texas' first training camp scrimmage, the coach privately noted a lack of passion among his players and it worried him.

But what he didn't know was that even a team as talented as this one would turn into a punching bag in its own stadium. The lackluster Longhorns have tumbled out of the Top 25 for the second time this season after losing 28-21 at home to Iowa State.

Brown called out his players and assistant coaches on Monday.

"I do think there's some entitlement with this team. They sit around thinking it's just going to happen," Brown said. "They played hard, but I mean [play] with passion, fun and excitement. It's all about confidence and passion. ... I can handle a loss if we are playing with passion. I can't if we're not. "

Texas (4-3) has lost two in a row at home for the first time since 1997 and Brown's initial postgame comments Saturday raised eyebrows when he said losing makes it difficult for him to trust that his assistant coaches are doing a good job.

Brown didn't back off that assessment Monday.

"I told them if one of your guys is playing bad, I can change them. If three of your guys are playing bad, I change you," Brown said. "I am ready to play each week."

Brown deferred questions about schemes and play calling to offensive coordinator Greg Davis and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Texas hasn't scored more than four offensive touchdowns in any game this season and Iowa State was the latest opponent to rip the defense for big rushing yards.

"I'm the CEO who's responsible for it," Brown said. "[But] I expect Greg Davis to run the offense and get his coaches to get their players ready to play. I expect Will Muschamp to run the defense and get his players, get his coaches to get the guys ready to play ... I tell them all the time, 'Get it fixed.' That's their job."

Interesting comment in bold...might be a little insight to a certain other team we know and love.

 

Gotta love the big balls on Mack Brown. I don't see it as disloyalty or throwing his staff or players under the bus (although I'm sure many here will). I see it as accountability. He hired them to get results and if they're not then it's on them since he's getting them top level talent to coach and develop every single year. Kudos on telling it like it is Mack. If he's on them like this after only 3 losses, imagine if some of his coaches had been underperforming for an entire season. Or two or three...

 

The problem at Texas is Mack Brown. He has squandered more talent in his career than any other coach in history.

 

That statement might be a little dramatic - but not wildly so. UTexas has the absolute top situation for assets. They get first choice of the best athletes in the top recruiting area in the country, money is never a problem, they have the backing of the political establishment in the area, they run their conference, and they really only have one yearly rival game to worry about - Oklahoma. They should never be out of the top ten.

The only school squandering more is Notre Dame, which I have to admit makes me smile a little bit every time I think about it.

 

Maybe at one time but I don't think ND today has anywhere near the talent lined up to play there that UT does. Mack Brown doesn't even need to leave his office to recruit.

 

Miles needs to get an understanding of things like this statement... until he learns this, Miles will be to blame if Miles is let go.

 

You're right, but talent is a lot closer than results are between the two.

Sure, UT doesn't win or play in the BCSCG every year, but they do compete for it almost every year...with the VERY occasional down year, such as this one. On the other hand, ND, with nearly equal talent, but MUCH less competition, doesn't even make lower tier bowl games. Even when ND was making bowl games, with the occasional BCS game mixed in for whatever reason, it was very apparent they were a joke of a team. See the 2006 Sugar Bowl. (Actually played in 07, but you know what I mean...06 season)

ND is a joke. If UT is a joke, it's a temporary situation, that just happened this year.

To your point though, I tire very easily of people stating that "With all that talent, LSU should never lose a game". It's been said for years. However, what about UT? USC? UF? There are plenty of teams with equal...and in some cases, MORE talent than LSU. LSU hasn't reeled off top 2 classes year after year. I understand fans saying it, because in general, most fans are idiots. But the media? They're the ones that drive me nuts. Their agenda is so obvious. Look at how they slobbered over USC for years...even though USC was doing about the same as LSU over the same period of time. Win a lot of games, lose 1 or 2 to teams that shouldn't be on the same field with them, and 1 BCSNCG...won with an illegal player. But you NEVER heard the media say USC was underperforming...which they were.

 

I agree with this. Now, somebody go get Cajun Punk and Company, and show them this post.

 

Sure they are always hyped at the beginning of the year but almost always fall apart. And I'm not even talking about the BCSCG because I know that is an unrealistic standard to set for any team. I'm just talking winning his conference. In the 12 years that Mack Brown has been at Texas he has only won the Big-12 twice. (2005 and 2009) Considering the hotbed of talent that he commands I'm not impressed.

 

Again, I can't disagree...but surely you understand my point. Texas is head and shoulders above ND in the last 15 years. Yet the talent level? Texas has the edge, but they don't have THAT much more talent than ND. The point is that the talent is closer than the production.
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I don't want you to think I'm defending Texas/Brown. I can't stand either.