Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN, Texas -- Despite having the support of her administration and two years left on her contract, Texas women's basketball coach Gail Goestenkors resigned on Monday, and by Monday night, had a text waiting from Longhorns football coach Mack Brown.

He thanked her for her work, and told her he appreciated her.

"Who in the world knows how somebody feels?" Brown said.

Brown doesn't know exactly, but when Goestenkors says things like "My heart's telling me it's time to take a break," Brown knew he had some idea of what she was going through.

It came from a conversation with legendary Longhorns coach Darrell Royal back in 2003, when Brown felt similar to Goestenkors.

"I asked him, 'Why did you quit?'" Brown said. "And there were reasons. But he said that when the losses became devastating and the wins became relief and it wasn't fun to even win, because you were supposed to, then I needed to get out."

Brown, then in his sixth season and third of what would be nine consecutive 10-win seasons, said he just needed to "wake up."

Two years later, he won a national championship and his second consecutive Rose Bowl.

That feeling crept back in during the Longhorns' trying 5-7 season in 2010. Even Texas' signature victory of that campaign didn't offer the same kind of pleasure such a win used to, Brown said.

"I remember beating Nebraska, walking off the field and I was worried about [Brown's wife] Sally because she lost her brother," Brown said. "I didn't have any joy in that win and that was stupid because it was a huge win for Texas and these kids. I didn't feel it walking off the field because of her loss and I felt a little guilty I was there without her and her brother being buried."

He saw the same in Goestenkors, Brown said. He needed another wakeup call after 2010, and may have got it in a new staff with two new, young coordinators, Manny Diaz (defense) and Bryan Harsin (offense). Bouncing back for eight wins may have helped, too, but Texas has bigger things in mind for 2012 and beyond: Namely, a return to the excellence Brown established in his first decade at the helm in Austin.

"If you're going to walk around and pout when you lose, act like a baby, and when you win act arrogant, not feel good about a win because Texas is supposed to win -- we don't anoint ourselves supposed to win -- then you're in some trouble and you need to have fun," Brown said. "You need to have joy."

AUSTIN, Texas -- The last time Texas football coach Mack Brown walked into the Southern Flyer alongside the Brenham Municipal Airport, Jack Hess, who doesn’t know much about football but more than enough of about character, wanted to know when Ryan Roberson was going to start.

Roberson had been Hess’ line cook five years while he was a high school football star for Brenham High and now Hess was looking out for one of his own.

This is his year, Brown told Hess. He is the starter.

What Brown neglected to elaborate on was that Roberson would not only be the starter, but the backup and even the third string. The former burger flipper was the only fullback the Longhorns had.

Cody Johnson is gone. Jamison Berryhill, the heir apparent, said his body couldn’t take it anymore. That has left Roberson and Texas staring a huge hole it had to fill.
Texas did make a move Tuesday to help Roberson. Alex De La Torre has switched from linebacker to backup fullback for the remaining spring practices.

“Sometimes you always look at trying to look at a guy on the other side of the ball,” Brown said. “We'll look at Alex De La Torre at fullback the second seven days, because we've seen him for eight days at linebacker. That doesn't mean he'll be a fullback in the fall, but that means we'll have a fair evaluation on both sides of the ball of where he fits.”

Texas had already moved linebacker Chet Moss to fullback prior to the start of spring But Moss has run into academic trouble and as such cannot be a reliable option for Texas.

As a just-in-case measure Texas is also looking at Barrett Matthews as a possible fullback. Matthews is also playing tight end, but has seen his stock drop in at that position because of the emergence of M.J. McFarland.

Of course there was a pervasive school of thought that Joe Bergeron, because of his size and because of the crowd at running back, might get moved to fullback. Texas has repeatedly squashed that notion by bringing up the scenario from last season at Missouri when Texas had to play its fourth string back for most of the game.

“If we've committed to being a physical football, you better be really good at tailback, you can't be average,” Brown said.

To do that, he feels Texas has to have three fresh, strong tailbacks and a strong presence at fullback. Roberson, who has primarily played on special teams his first three seasons, should be the player to fill that role.

What Roberson, or any fullback, should be able to provide for this offense is that one extra block to turn the ordinary into explosive. Texas has failed to produce explosive runs over the past two seasons, partly because the lack of backs, but also because of the inability of the offensive line.

In 2012 the offensive line is poised to be as good as it has been in several years. That means the defensive line and quite possibly a few linebackers should be taken care of by that group on run plays. Roberson, or whoever the fullback might be, will be responsible for picking up that one extra block that allows the running back to see daylight. And then, as always, the running back has to make one person miss for the play to work.

Then there is the extra touch co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin can add to the run game if that run game has a solid tailback/fullback combination.

“We can add toys,” Brown said.

That should be much more entertaining for Roberson than flipping burgers in Brenham.

1. Still waiting: Late Tuesday, Damon Sayles reported that Maurice Smith (Sugar Land, Texas/Dulles) had received a scholarship offer from Ole Miss, his 13th. HornsNation’s Max Olson reported that Smith had recently spoken with the Texas coaches who have asked him to visit during spring practice.

They are also demanding his patience. As Olson points out, he is almost certain to get an offer from the Longhorns, but how long does Smith wait?

With the misses the Texas coaches have made in recruiting, it’s wise to take time in evaluations and finding just the right prospect at each position. Furthermore, Texas coaches have said they are interested in players who want to be Longhorns. In Smith’s case, the convincing might have to come from the Texas staff to prove they really want Smith in burnt orange.

2. Feeling a draft: Iowa State sophomore forward Royce White has announced he will leave early for the NBA. White was certainly one of the breakout stars in the Big 12 this season. Texas fans are still waiting to see what Longhorns J'Covan Brown and Myck Kabongo decide to do about their professional futures.

There are two dates to keep in mind while watching this situation. The first is April 29. Players have until 11:59 p.m. ET to declare for the draft. The second date is 5 p.m. ET on June 18. Players who have declared, and not signed with an agent, have until then to withdraw their name from draft eligibility.

The time should help Brown and Kabongo. They can submit to the draft advisory board to see where they stand. For players like those two, who draft experts have in a variety of scenarios, that advising is crucial. At least they’ll be better informed on whatever decision they make.

3. Campbell honored: Former Texas linebacker/defensive back Tom Campbell will be inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. Campbell played in the 1969 and 1970 Cotton Bowl Classics, both of which were Longhorns wins.

In the ’69 game, Campbell was named the game’s outstanding defensive player after recording two tackles and two interceptions. The following year, Campbell intercepted Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann with 38 seconds to play to seal a 21-17 win. It also helped the Longhorns secure the national championship.

David Ubben breaks down the latest from Texas' spring camp, including a position change and some clarity in the quarterback race, plus some bonus tidbits from Pro Day.

AUSTIN, Texas -- College football's going to look a little different next year, and Mack Brown isn't so sure the new rule changes are going to benefit the game.

Texas' coaches spent an hour with officials on Monday, and Brown left with several concerns.

Perhaps his biggest complaint?

The ambiguity of the new helmet rule, which Brown says is "a little gray."

Next year, if a player loses his helmet, he has to sit out a play, but that's not the only rule change. Depending on the situation, the play can be stopped, or a player who loses his helmet can't continue playing.

When play will be stopped or a player made to quit playing, though, is a difficult judgment call with a 15-yard penalty at stake.

"If I'm a defensive end rushing the passer, supposedly I can rush him, but quarterback steps up, I can't continue to rush or it's a penalty," Brown said. "If you lose your helmet, you have to come out of the game for a play, regardless. So, your quarterback could lose his helmet on the next to the last play of the game and he's out for the last play. And also if you lose your helmet within  in the last minutes of the half at the end of the game, you can have the 10-second runoff rule."

Brown used the example of last year's last-second win over Texas A&M. The game-winning field goal was kicked with three seconds left, but if Texas hadn't had a timeout late, a player's helmet coming off could force a 10-second runoff and end the game.

While Brown, and I would assume most people, agree with the rule's intent -- protecting players -- the regulations could have some troubling consequences.

Brown wants to take some action before the season and get Big 12 Coordinator of Football Officials Walt Anderson involved.

"What you have is about nine coaches from all different divisions that are in a group with Safeguards Committee and they sit and make these rules. I really wish we would have more input instead of just being told, because we didn't even understand some of these until yesterday," Brown said. "What we've done when we make rules and make the official's judgment in a tough spot, I think we're hurting ourselves because how in the world are you going to know when to blow that whistle?"

Brown also took issue with the new, re-instituted halo rule that requires players to provide a one-yard buffer zone in front of players returning punts.

"Now, if [a defender is] covering me and I'm returning the punt and I bobble it and go toward him and he's within a yard of me and doesn't touch me ... it's a 15yard penalty," Brown said. "I really hope that we'll relook at some of those things and try to make a difference."

The halo rule applies to more than just punts now, too. Next year, onside kicks must hit the ground twice, or kick return teams can call fair catches and prevent defenders from trying to retain possession for an onside attempt.

"They're protecting the guy that's standing there getting ready to catch the pop up and everybody's running over him," Brown said. "If it touches the ground once I can call a fair catch now on the kickoff on the onside kick. You'll have to kick the ball on the ground. If you hit it twice, can bounce it twice, get it to jump, then there's no fair catch."

That's a tall order for kickers, and expect to see a lot more onside kicks on the ground next year. But where is the line? What if a player is bent over trying to pick up a kick and suffers a serious neck injury? Do you just ban onside kicks altogether?

Brown made a whole lot of good points and questioned the right things with the new rule changes.

Here's hoping his campaign for clarification, alteration or outright change is successful.

1. Shaking up spring football: Mack Brown wasted little time shaking things up when the Longhorns returned to spring practice yesterday. While the players were on spring break, the Texas coaches were busy evaluating the practices they had seen.

“Now you reset your goals. If you didn't get something accomplished, you go back and try and work on it,” Brown said.

Among the things the Texas coaches are trying to do is build depth and find roles for players where they will be more successful. With that, D.J. Monroe will move from running back to wide receiver and Alex De La Torre will move from linebacker to fullback.

Depth is certainly an issue at fullback with Jamison Berryhill and Cody Johnson graduating. Brown did say that he didn’t know if the move would be permanent for De La Torre who was a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 11 inside linebacker according to ESPNU.

As for Monroe, he needs the ball in his hands and that’s more the goal than anything else. There is a shortage at receivers, but Monroe should still see work catching, running fly sweeps and probably lining up in the backfield.

“If [Monroe is] going to play more, he needs to expand his package. And we need to expand his package. And to do that, there are places at tailback right now that we need him in there (at receiver). He needs to be outside. That's who he is. And to do that he's got to catch better.”

John Harris is back from injury and working with the receivers. Demarco Cobbs is also back working with the linebackers.

2. Six in a row on the diamond: It appears as if maybe the Texas baseball team has righted the ship. And it couldn’t come at a better time.

The Longhorns started slow, at one point losing five straight games. With Texas’ 9-1 win over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, Augie Garrido’s team has now won six straight.

The bigger wins certainly came in a sweep of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., over the weekend. That’s a good way to kick off Big 12 play.

Against the Lumberjacks Tuesday, Jordan Etier had a big game with two RBI and a stolen base. Dillon Baker got the win and struck out four. He was among five Texas pitchers who combined to allow only five hits.

3. UT still making money: In a very comprehensive piece on the financial landscape of college sports, Alecia Jessop is taking a look at the most profitable athletics programs in each conference.

No surprise that Texas had the biggest expense or the largest amount of revenue. The Longhorns again made money in 2010-11. The Texas athletic program made just over $24 million in that time frame, but surprisingly, Kansas State was second with a little more than $23 million made.

She notes another interesting point about the two schools:

Kansas State achieved profits of $23,395,408.00, while Texas had profits of $24,317,815.00. Interestingly, though, is the fact that Kansas State’s revenues in that same year were $68,875,266.00, while Texas’ were $150,295,932.00. Texas’ expenditures, on the other hand, were nearly three-times that of Kansas State’s.

Read the full breakdown here.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Blake Gideon is well aware of the trappings that usually come with being a starting defensive back at Texas.

“A lot of guys have come out of that room and made a lot of money,” Gideon said.

Gideon is trying to be the next one. But his name doesn’t carry the cache of an Aaron Ross, who just signed a new $15 million deal, or Quentin Jammer, a top-10 pick. Nope, he is Blake Gideon, the guy who started 52 games at Texas, the second-most all-time. And, if not for Tuesday’s pro day on campus, he might not have even received a look from the NFL.

“I just wanted a chance,” the former Texas safety said.

Gideon, along with 13 other former Longhorns, got their chance to impress more than 50 scouts and coaches Tuesday. The goal was to move the needle and show the NFL that they belonged.

The reality is that aside from three or maybe four players -- Keenan Robinson, Kheeston Randall, Emmanuel Acho and Fozzy Whittaker -- it is a long shot to even turn the pro scouts’ heads.

“It is what it is,” offensive lineman David Snow said.

What it was for Snow was a disappointing day when it came to doing the 225-pound bench press. He is an offensive lineman and needs to display a tremendous amount of upper body strength. He only had 23 reps at 225, the same amount as Whittaker, a 194-pound running back.

“I wish I could do the 225 over again,” Snow said.

A lot of the players probably want do-overs. That is not the way it works.

“You have to come out give it your all and leave it all on the field and on the track,” offensive lineman Tray Allen said.

Allen said he posted a 5.1 time in the 40-yard dash. For a 300-pound player, he did leave plenty out there, but undoubtedly in the coming months he will question whether he could have done better.

Gideon was accepting of his 4.56 in the 40 but said he could post a lower number, as he had in training. Randall chose to participate only in individual drills in the practice bubble, under the watchful eye of scouts. He did not lift or run.

Whittaker only benched, upping his combine total of 20 by three.

Likewise, Robinson was reserved in what he did. But the 6-foot-3, 242-pound prospect might have done just enough to secure a pick in the top three rounds.

“I’ve heard anywhere from end of the first to the fourth,” he said. “I just hope I get in a good situation with a good team.

“I wanted to show them I am a big guy who moves well in space.”

Robinson posted the same time on his 40 as he did at the NFL combine, 4.78. He improved his vertical jump to 36.5 inches and his broad jump to 10 feet, 5 inches.

“All I can do now is sit back and wait and see what happens,” he said.

While many of the players will have individual meetings with teams and additional workouts, that is essentially the same situation everyone is in now. The waiting game has started. So has the worrying game.

But one NFL veteran had some wisdom for his brother.

“Sam told me not to worry about where you get picked, just worry about getting through the door,” said Emmanuel Acho, who opted out of many drills because of a quadriceps injury.

And it appears that the younger Acho has taken that advice to heart.

“Now I can exhale,” he said at the end of the workouts.

We're chatting today. Join William Wilkerson today at 2 p.m. CT when he'll be talking recruiting, pro day, spring football, the tourney, pretty much anything you want to talk about.

Submit your questions here.

1. Pro day arrives: Texas will hold its pro day today. There is definitely not a sure fire NFL stars who’ll be working out at Denius Field today, and no Texas player is projected to go very early in the draft.

However, there could be players working out today who could turn out to be players with good, long NFL careers. When it comes to players like Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson, they didn’t blow the world away with their showing at the combine in February, and might not today either. But, the NFL can always find a place for smart, athletic linebackers who know how to thrive in multiple-set defenses.

Then there’s Fozzy Whittaker. He was the heart and soul of the Longhorns until being injured in the Missouri game. He won’t be a sought-after NFL player either, but it will be good to see him working out again.

2. Ross gets paid: While pro day is all about boosting your stock, one guy who needs no help now is Aaron Ross. The former Longhorns, and now former New York Giant, is now a Jacksonville Jaguar after reportedly agreeing to a three-year $15.3 million deal. Ross had mostly been the third corner for the Super Bowl champs, but did start 15 games last season after Terrell Thomas was injured. Now in Jacksonville, Ross should get the chance to be a full-time starter.

3. Coach G calls it quits: Texas women’s basketball coach Gail Goestenkors resigned yesterday.

“My heart tells me it was time to take a break,” she said in her news conference yesterday.

She came to the 40 Acres five years after an incredibly successful stint at Duke, but something never clicked at Texas. She went 102-64 with the Longhorns, but never advanced past the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Texas’ administration – in this case, women’s AD Chris Plonsky – have been patient with all their coaches and would probably have liked to keep her around. So, perhaps the differences of life at Texas compared to Duke and the struggles on the court really hurt Coach G.

As Mechelle Voepel writes, she will benefit from getting away:

Goestenkors said she needs time away, to rest and re-evaluate her life. She's an inherently very kind and caring person, which some people don't realize because -- believe it or not -- she is also fundamentally pretty shy and can seem distant. Goestenkors has never been the kind of coach to sell recruits on how great she is or talk about her strengths with X's and O's, even though they are considerable.

Right now, she says she's "out of basketball," but time away might replenish her passion to coach. I suspect that it will, on the college or pro level. She's still got a ton to offer at either, if she chooses to go back.

Hopefully, she finds what she was missing in Texas and the Longhorns can find another top-notch coach.

We want to hear from you. Join us in the forum for more conversation.