The Muschamp Thing

When I first heard the news that UT had named Will Muschamp as the successor head coach to Mack Brown I thought it was a horrible stunt.  Almost immediately, though, I began to see the genius in the move.  My first thought was of Florida State, where they've had Bobby Bowden's successor named for several years - the offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher.  The problem there is that Bowden has seemingly overstayed his success and the offense has struggled mightily.  Most people associated with that program have probably started to drop off the Bowden bandwagon and not only do the probably want to go in a different direction altogether, they certainly do not want to hand the reins over to someone whose stock has dropped precipitously.  The Brown-to-Muschamp deal is much different, though.  For one, Mack has no timetable for his departure (neither does Bowden, but he could go any year; retire I mean, not expire). Brown looks to be at UT for at least the duration of his current contract - 8 years.  And as a sort of nice side effect of this feel-good announcement, Mack made it clear that he is going to finish out his career at Texas and that it could be a long time, more than eight years, before he steps down.  The second distinguishing thing is that Muschamp is probably the hottest coordinator out there in line for one of the many coaching vacancies.  This move locks him in as the D coordinator until he takes over the head coaching job way in the future.

Perhaps the most important thing about all of this is that UT football is guaranteed continuity and stability for the long term.  We could be talking 20 years here where the program maintains all of the elements of its current character.  Given the success of the past ten years, that's a very, very good thing.  It's such a win-win-win that it's almost unbelievable.  Here are some of the pros and cons listed out:

Pros

1. Horns keep the current best defensive coordinator in the country indefinitely.
2. Horns keep that same guy from going somewhere else and succeeding with a different program.
3. Continuity and stability in the program.
4. Muschamp gets to take his time learning from Mack Brown how to run the program for many years before taking the helm.

Cons

1. If the Horns start losing at some point, especially if Mack gets old and appears to be doddering, then it could start to look like the game is passing him by.  At that point no one is going to want the Mack Brown era to continue through Muschamp.  (Counterpoint:  If it hasn't happened to JoePa, it probably won't happen to Brown.)
2. The defense sucks.  What if the defense becomes the Achille's heel of the team and Muschamp starts to be viewed like Greg Davis used to be?  (Davis pulled out of it, though not totally, given enough years and the right players.  Muschamp could too if he took over the head job during a peak.)

What I love about this is that it is bold and innovative.  No other program in the country is doing anything like this.  I think the message it sends is that Texas is the elite program in the country, built from within and with staying power for the next two decades, at least.  That has to be good for recruiting, donors, you name it.  In the next few years, I think you see a college football dynasty at Texas; something along the lines of 3 national championships in 5 years.  I know that's an extremely bold and overly optimistic projection, but I really think the program is making all of the right moves.

Comments

[Snake Diggity]

I had the exact same reaction; initial disapproval followed by elation. Mack is going to win at least 9 games a year, so Texas is not going to drop as long as he's here. When he steps down, Muschamp gets 5 years. If he sucks, he'll get fired after 5 and we'll bring in whatever badass we want. If he is a badass like all signs point to, we'll have locked in another 20 years of having a perennial contender.

[Ojo Rojo]

One thing I forgot to mention is that UT has had a lack of continuity at defensive coordinator over the years. How many has Mack gone through? 5? 6? Chizik, Robinson, Reese, Akina, who else? Not a problem anymore.

[llogg]

I too thought it was a bit rash at first but have come to embrace the move. Muschamp will make a good head coach and this gives him an opportunity over the next couple years to establish the same rapport with Texas high school coaches that Mack has. Once he's got that down he's golden. I think Mack is probably done in 3 to 5 years, especially if they get back on top of the mountain this year or next year.

[desertboy]

there's also plenty of talk about Mack becoming the next AD, a position which could definitely come open in 3-5 years.

[allbilly]

I thought you were a lawyer....seriously...that contract isn't worth the paper it was written on....in theory it looks great, but from a practical standpoint way, way too many moving pieces....like say some other great school throwing INSANE money at Muschamp....or this or that or who knows what...a contract contingent on someone leaving is not wise. Why not wait and SEE if Muschamp is loyal...i mean how much money does the guy need? We know he gets anything he wants as is...and he spends so much time on football he doesn't have a chance to spend it all.

Look at Florida....Spurrier left...they had a couple down years...got Pope Urban ...and right back at the top...

while it makes me warm that UT did this...and it's a great feel good...it seems just like more PR stuff to me.

What do you think Mike Leach could do at Texas?

[Ojo Rojo]

Billy, why you gotta be so negative about UT football all the time? I'm not even sure if there is a contract in place. But even if there were, and I think this is what you are alluding to, the deal requires all of the parties to still want the same thing when the time comes. What happens if Muschamp changes his mind and wants to be a head coach after 3 or 4 years? Well, what? Is UT going to imprison the man? No. They'll let him out of the deal. There might be consequences for him under the terms of the deal if he chooses to do that, but maybe not.

I'm sure that Dodds and Brown are aware of the positive PR that this deal generates, but I doubt that was the motivating factor; more like a good side effect. Saying it's just a PR move which implies shallowness or a lack of integrity. I know a lot of people would like to believe Brown and the UT program are those things, but there has been very little evidence of that. Besides, this has too many real consequences for it to be strictly a PR move. It ends the speculation about Muschamp leaving to be the head coach somewhere else. The vultures were already circling (he was being mentioned as a leading candidate for the Clemson job). At the same time, it ends any speculation or fear about Mack Brown's future as well. He's going to end his head coaching career at Texas and the program that he built is going to continue after he steps down. We already know who the next coach is going to be, so there is no worry about the program having to reinvent itself, going through lean transition years and dealing with the prospect that it might not work. Personally, I don't think he's going to leave the head coaching job to become AD until at least his current contract is up; even if Dodds retires or croaks. Everyone should know that Mack is best for the program as the head coach. Besides, there's probably some deputy AD who is being groomed to take over the AD job right now. At the very least, that person could be a gap-filler until Brown is ready step down as coach and assume the job as AD if he wants it. Even then, he should only do it if his effectiveness as a head coach shrivels or he is just not happy doing it anymore. That would become the sort of Tom Osborne scenario that Nebraska currently has. There have been several examples of it throughout the country over the years. I think Arkansas had an AD that was the former head football coach (Frank Broyles? Too lazy to look it up.)

[Ojo Rojo]

I think Mike Leach could install a gimmick offense and put up gawdy statistics and compete for the national championship once every 20 years, just like he's doing now. Perfect for a place like Tech, which really can't compete with UT and OU by playing the same game. Unnecessary at UT.

[allbilly]

Ojo,

You recited the news release well. I had hoped you'd weave in some of the Texas Monthly article. Very interesting stuff there. I think UT football is right where it wants to be in terms of the program, support, et. al.

I'm not hating...but you know anytime anyone does anything other than tow the Orange Glasses line...they get slammed and called hater and envious, et. al by the Orange Glasses. I'm just pointing out some obvious issues in the plan. I'm not hating on it...it's just gimmicky...just like the programs you mentioned in the original post.

Mack is the greatest salesperson in UT history. Now you all hope he brings in some more hardware.

Leach is onto something. If he wins on Saturday...he's looking straight at a National Title. That would be awesome. Face it Tech is a mid-major of sorts. Lubbock is a Hell Hole and how Leach gets that many city dudes to go out there and play is amazing. And Graham Harrell would be winning at Texas. He's got Game.

Finally...where are the Shout Out's for LLOGG's Bears? They beat A&M...and the Bears are on the rise.

If I were to define myself by my college football team...i'd be 4-7, with A&M scheduled in 2010. Funny. the Lumberjacks will lose by 70.

Ok. Enough. Post about your trial. The Ojo public wants details.

-He Hate Me

[allbilly]

OU romped Leach and crew. It hurt to watch. He Hate Me is not an OU fan.