QB threw 3 picks at Kansas and leading rusher in the country fumbled twice. Hard to overcome that. And his job was on the line every single game the last couple of years. I've seen players being distracted over their coach's future being thrown around for the reason UH lost a couple of games. UT players had to deal with that every game as well. UH and Strong would be a great match.
IIRC Tuberville was on the road to being fired...taking the Cincinnati job was a premature exit. I can't see another P5 coach leaving for a G5 job but if there's another one it's probably Holgorsen to UH. I think the Coogs can do better.
I disagree about your assessment of it being apples/apples. A) Herman was rumored to be fond of OTHER jobs, and OTHER facilities, at OTHER programs, and anOTHER campus with anOTHER student body - all of which he would choose over the facilities, program, campus, and student body that he sold you on B) Strong expressed an effusive desire to continue coaching UT's kids, with UT's facilities and UT's resources, on UT's campus That not withstanding, I think Charlie would bring instant legitimacy to UH. And, Strong is a guy who didn't just take 2 years to show he's a comically tragic hypocrite like Herman. Strong actually practices the values he preaches - it's not just a living room show for a recruit. Even in failure, I believe Charlie Strong's first priority was the kids in his program. And, even in success, I believe Herman's first priority was his damn self.
I feel bad for Cougars fans, but I'm surprised at how blindsided some of y'all seem to be. In every walk of life, people will take more money and prestige 10/10 times. Fandom makes people think more emotionally than they should but, objectively, why should Herman have stayed at UH? He isn't an alumnus, he knows the recruiting limitations outside of the P5 (yet still got y'all a NY6 win) and was offered the keys to one of the most prestigious jobs in his field. Y'all really expected him to say no to that? Y'all will get a P5 invite eventually. I don't relish that UT's new hope comes at your expense. But, man, y'all are acting like this is new. Herman is just continuing the unfortunate pattern from UH coaches established by Briles and Sumlin.
Nice post d2c, but Strong's status greatly affected the players throughout the year. It was a topic the players spoke out about on numerous occasions.
We're not upset at the fact that he left. We're upset with the manner in which he left. Since day one, he came in preaching a culture of honesty and integrity--that the football program is a family and a family is honest with each other. We, as fans, also bought into this. We know many coaches CFB lie to their players and fans, but Herman convinced us that he was different. So when he's told us over the last two years that he's not looking at other jobs and that he's not talking to anyone else, we give him the benefit of the doubt and believe him. We completely understand the advantages that UT has as a head coaching job over UH. We know that his system at UT could mean multiple national championships. But we expected Herman to practice the values that he preached and at least be honest with the players, if not us. He didn't do that.
Time in Houston? Extremely proud of the results but that's not close to what we're most proud of. We changed a culture. Not just a football team or athletic department or university but hopefully for eons to come, college football in Houston. For that, I'm extremely proud. I'm most proud of the influx of text messages from the current players, telling me how appreciative they are they got to spend with myself & our staff. Their reaction, I can't count how many guys...it warms my heart to know we made a difference in so many lives so quickly. What I did to tell UH players was the hardest thing in my life. I cried in front of them & cried when I left. blahblahblah
I was around for Briles and Sumlin. This is pretty tame compared to those meltdowns. Well, first of all, money was the same. That was known from the word 'go'. Secondly, he isn't a UT alumnus either. Third, he got top 40 recruiting classes in his first 2 years here, and it only looked to get better from here. There clearly were not significant "recruiting limitations". In fact, Herman stated MANY times that he loved UH because it allowed him to recruit without traveling. Prestige? Sure. Whatever. Peepee games I guess. If it's an ego thing, that's his business. I think the most significant factor is basically the access to the playoff. Tom aspires to win at the highest level. Because of political factors beyond his control, he couldn't do that at UH. So, yeah, the system of inequality that was set up worked exactly as it was supposed to. From the formation of the Big 12 to the creation of the PUF, this has all worked exactly as intended. Congrats.
I see what you mean but what do you think the best way to handle that is? I feel like this is the reaction every time a coach leaves for another job. What's the right way to handle it? Should a coach come out in the middle of the season and say that he's listening to offers from other programs?
I think his point is that Herman built his program based on love, trust, brotherhood, etc. He didn't have to base his public image here 100% on his loyalty to us and our kids. He chose to do that. And he bailed. After 23 months on the job. Hard to respect that.
He "bailed"? He got offered what could be the top job in college football. Of course he's going to leave UH for that. Not hard to understand, bud.
That's fair. At least he twisted the arm of the university to force them to push green lighting facility improvements or have his contract buyout reduced. I mean, it is a dick move but your program is metaphorically and literally in better shape because of that attitude. Still, i see why his approach of loyalty looks crappy now.
When was the last time a successful head football coach left UH for another job and you respected them?
