The timing of the Mack Brown step down relative to other things in this thread is very interesting....
I'd rather they sever ties with him. He's just another coach, and he's going to be an afterthought and mere footnote in the annals of UT history very quickly if Saban comes. He's unnecessarily revered. Move on and don't let him linger around.
http://bamahammer.com/2013/12/06/report-nick-saban-agrees-contract-extension-alabama/ Report: Nick Saban Agrees to Contract Extension With Alabama A Crimson Tide message board is stating that head coach Nick Saban has agreed to a contract extension with Alabama, finally putting to rest endless rumors and speculation about his future. A frenzy that occurred earlier this week with another website’s unsubstantiated reports that Saban had agreed to become the next head coach at the University of Texas. However, the Alabama news site and message board Tider Insider says that Saban has agreed – or is very close to agreement – to a new contract with Alabama. Lending further credence are reports from ESPN personalities: Details have not been announced, and the contract has not been confirmed by the university, but numbers will no doubt reflect his accomplishments, including winning three of the last four BCS Championships. The Saban-to-Texas rumors have been ongoing for more than a year, despite repeated denials by Saban and his wife Terry. On Thursday University of Texas president Bill Powers also denied that the Longhorns were working to hire Saban. “I’ve never met Nick Saban. I’ve never talked to Nick Saban. We have not hired Nick Saban,” Powers told the Austin American-Statesman. “Mack’s our coach, and I can say flatly that the rumors we have hired or come to an agreement with Nick Saban or even talked to him are false.” Tide fans may be tired of the endless churning of the rumor mill, but it could be worse; Alabama could have a coach that nobody wanted. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source told TideFans.com that Alabama and Saban have agreed in principle to terms on a deal. The contract would be for multiple years and would include a raise from his current deal, which pays him around $5.5 million annually. While exact figures were not yet known, the raise was described as “significant” and is all but certain to make Saban the first college football coach earning more than $6 million per year.
He may not be revered right now, but a coach who wins a NC will be remembered. Most people would (arguably) place Mack as the second best coach behind DKR.
He absolutely is the best coach UT has had since DKR. No question he deserves to remain with UT in the same role that DKR held when he retired. Mack lead the Horns to 2 National Title Games and 1 National Championship. It was time for him to leave last year but no doubt he had some absolute great years before he passed his prime.
The only reason Mack gets so much vitriol is because of the "what have you done for me lately?" mentality. It is what it is. He'll be regarded more pleasantly in UT history in a decade or so, but for now he's going to be getting a lot of hate.
Not that I believe any of these "rumors", but the report they are referencing is a few days old. Here is the thread on that site, and one of the site administrators says the deal is not done and something came up that worries him. They are in wait and see mode, FWIW: http://www.tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213291&page=54
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>THIS JUST IN: Texas denies report that Mack Brown will step down as Longhorns coach. Board of Regents to meet Thursday. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/schadjoe">@schadjoe</a>)</p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/statuses/410497659758477312">December 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
what have you done for me lately is valid, but it should not (and will not) ultmately define how important he was for UT.
That's what I'm saying. Its given credence now, but ultimately it will fade. Everyone hated van Gundy, everyone hated Adelman right at the apex of their tenures. However, now what do you see? Everyone with warm and vivid memories of van Gundy the defensive guru and Adelman the offensive mastermind.
When it comes to UT, I'll take Chip Brown over ESPN any day. Who was it that broke the Deloss Dodds story? Uh, that would be Chip Brown. Imeadiately after, it was denied by UT etc...
Well, he definitely held the title of "head coach" of those teams...I can't argue with that. Either of us could have been the head coach of that National Championship team though, and could have done so sleeping in our beds while Vince trounced through the entire NCAA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"Mack Brown has not told anyone that he’s stepping down," a well-placed UT source told <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Statesman&src=hash">#Statesman</a>. Mack has not met with prez Powers yet.</p>— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BDavisAAS/statuses/410498777170980864">December 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Chip Brown still reporting that there is NO CHANCE Texas A&M leaves the Big 12 for the SEC.</p>— OurDailyBears (@OurDailyBears) <a href="https://twitter.com/OurDailyBears/statuses/410490789685248001">December 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yeah, UT is trying to douse the fire by going to ESPN, who they see as a "well-respected" news source. It's no different when any president tries to quash rumors by sending information to the press.
Part of being a colloge coach is recruiting. Who recruited Vince. Don't act like it was no big deal and meant nothing as a coach on a championship team. If that was all it took then the RGIII and the Bears would have won the championship a couple of years ago. If UT is what really recruits players and not Mack then why did it take DECADES since the previoius National Title with DKR. Mack deserves credit... and a lot of it.
