Could New Recruiting Rule Hurt Texas?
26 comments so far
March 15, 2010 by
The Texas Longhorns are well known for their success in recruiting. It's not uncommon for them to be essentially finished recruiting before their season even begins (even though signing day doesn't come until February). But a new rule could put a chink in the armor.
The rule states that a publicly designated head coach in waiting is bound by the same recruiting rules as the current head coach. That's to prevent teams with designated successors from gaining a recruiting advantage. The NCAA has sought to curb off-campus recruiting by head coaches but the new rule effectively limits assistants in waiting as well. Texas and Maryland were given a one-year reprieve, but not an indefinite one.
Given how easily it seems that the 'Horns gobble up talent, perhaps they'd laugh at any such rule. Do they really need their entire staff of assistants out recruiting? But without knowing what the mechanics of the Longhorn recruiting machine are, it could make life more difficult for them. And if it did, Texas would have an interesting decision to make. Do they push Mack Brown toward retirement sooner? Do they remove the "next head coach" label from Muschamp? Neither one, necessarily sounds good for their program
On the other hand, does a public succession plan help anyone but Muschamp? Within a coaching staff, it can create as much uncertainty as it eliminates. If this is the next head coach, should I be listening to him more than the head man? If I don't like the next guy, should I be looking for another job? In the locker room it's the same case, particularly for underclassmen. Do I seek to impress the head man or the NEXT head man? It certainly hasn't seemed to help Maryland at all. What about the fans? If the defense is playing really well but the offense is struggling (as you could imagine heading into 2010), do the fans start screaming for Brown to retire?
Texas has managed to deal with any distraction Muschamp's title causes extremely well up until now. They did just play in the national championship game more than a year after Muschamp was the announced successor. But now there's one more reason not to like it. Will it become an important one? If so, things could get real interesting down in Austin.
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Dwayne Mar 15 10
Sounds like FSU all over again.
Matt Mar 15 10
We already know the answer to this, if Texas' actions belie their concern.
This rule was slated to go into effect this next recruiting season--Texas successfully lobbied the NCAA something fierce to get this pushed back until the following recruiting year.
If anything, it gives Texas one more year to figure out how to circumvent the system...but their frantic actions do indicate a high level of concern.
Frankly, if I were Texas, I'd be more concerned with the lack of a succession plan after Mack decides to leave. It's highly likely that Muschamp will be approached by a couple of significant SEC schools to coach, and I don't think Texas can string him along much longer (unless they want to pay $3+ million to an assistant).
tom Mar 15 10
Personally, I think the rule is unnecessary and unfair to assistants willing to sign onto a "coach in waiting" situation. If the NCAA wants to regulate this type of title, why not just force teams to not use it at all? All this does is increase the level of bureaucracy already permeating the NCAA and create the opportunity for teams to find loopholes. The more regulation exists, the more likely some team could be found not compliant with some obscure rule.
Jimbo Mar 15 10
Again it has Texas in the subject line and the hate comes out. First off Maryland is the one doing the lawyer thing, not UT. Second how stupid is this rule. I go to a recruit and say "when I retire Will Muschamp is going to be my replacement". THAT IS NOT ILLEGAL. Simply by putting a title of 'COACH IN WAITING' makes it a no no as far as the NCAA is concerned. TO Matt: Will already turned down the other UT just a few months ago. What you do not know is Will's wife loves Austin, TX and has told him if he goes anywhere she is NOT GOING WITH HIM. It has/is all over the internet so it is no secret about her feelings. I doubt if what I said will have much impact to other schools because everyone thinks like you do Matt. UT just received a 'BILLION BUCKS' from the sale of land with oil on it. 3 million a year is chump change to UT. I frankly could care less how much any coach gets paid. Also Matt how can you say :Frankly I would be more concerned about the lack of a succession plan after Mack leaves. What the heck do you think the Coach in Waiting is all about? Gee Matt you really were not serious about that statement were you?
Grant Mar 15 10
Jimbo,
"Easy there compadre. No need to go fist-a-cuffs. If you do, I got Jack Johnson & Tom O'Leary here for you"-Ron Burgandy (don't think I spelled everything correctly).
Seriously...Jimbo, I don't think Matt's intention was to slam your beloved Longhorns. Nothing malicious in his comments. I'm sure you are right that UT could care less about the money, and that Will M. will not be going anywhere. No one said anything about what is going on as illegal.
Jimbo Mar 15 10
take out texas in the title and this is NOT news. UT will recruit just fine without the "Coach in waiting" title. NO news here move along. By the way Matt: What is NU's policy (I assume they have one) once Bo moves on? See why I say no news here? Grant no one is upset - least of all me - with 18 of the top 100 already committed for next year the future is Orange colored. Why not put out articles about how BO needs to catch up with OU and UT - not articles trying in some weird way to suggest maybe UT is not playing fair or boy o boy I sure hope this hurts UT?
OU7times Mar 15 10
I wish something would break. I want to get back to winning against Texas...NOW!
Bill Mar 15 10
Jimbo,
Let me first say that I don't think this rule change will hurt Texas much.
That said, I think the bigger concern is that Muschamp won't be able to make as many calls/visits as the other Texas assistants.
Nobody is talking about the title "Coach in Waiting" being illegal in any way, as why would it be?
If this limitation WERE an issue for the Horns, I would think that Muschamp would voluntarily lose the official title (with the agreement still in place verbally) so that he can recruit as usual.
JImbo Mar 15 10
Thanks for the reply Bill. Yep see how easy it is. Just change back his title and then all is fine in recruiting land..that is why I keep saying this is stupid and no way would I spend money (like Maryland) to fight this..who cares.
Andy Mar 15 10
Yep Jimbo, nothing but hate for ut, anything texas, and anything remotely associated with the university of texas.
Regards!
Jimbo Mar 15 10
TO Andy, I think you just signed a QB out of Texas that Bo is very high on. Since you hate anything Texas I guess you will no longer be a NU fan? Sadly you hurt the team you want to love the most, and that is NU. Because of people like YOU most recruits in Texas have already been told about how the fans feel about anything Texas. That is why you get the ones that OU and UT do NOT want...glad to see you helping UT out Andy but we do not really need the help..I think what 9 out of 10 times you lost? You must have had a very lousy last 10 years...lol
Mak Mar 16 10
Really Jimbo...the article is about the recruiting LIMIT that is in place for HEAD coaches and how it hurts those with the title of HC in waiting. It is not a slam on Texas or Maryland or any other school that would chose to promote an assistant. As far as the Huskers picking up the scraps of OU and Texas, really? If I recall, of the recuits signed the last 2 years by NU, all but 4 have had an offer from either OU or Texas, and 2 of those were such early commits that they told schools to back off. No hate for Texas, just that there is an entire world out there beyond the state lines, you should experience it sometime...
irafreak Mar 16 10
Jimbo I really doubt recruits are swayed by fans on a message board...
Jimbo Mar 16 10
TO Mak: Do not know about OU but UT DID NOT OFFER ANY RECRUITS YOU SIGNED PERIOD. How do I know that? Because UT will not offer a recruit until he makes a visit to campus and they offered 25 last year and all 25 accepted. UT did not offer anyone you signed. Again do not know about OU but if you care to check OU sent out over 200 offers last year. They send them to everyone and hope it sticks with someone. IF a top recruit shows interest AFTER THE OFFER FROM OU then the process begins of official visits, etc. Good try to spin it the way you want but sadly the facts got in the way of your brain process. BTW you guys do the same as OU as most colleges do what you guys do. It is not a knock because no one has the time to check thousands of recruits each year. I do know that in the 10th grade football players get a questionnaire and are ask to list 5 colleges THEY are interested in upon graduation. Keep reading Mak and maybe you will learn.
Mak Mar 16 10
So Jimbo what your saying is that Texas only offered 25 kids last year? Texas had offers to both Rex Burkhead and Cody Green in 09 but would not give them WRITTEN offers until they visited campus, just two that pop out off the top of my head. But neither of them were interested. How about Travis Lewis, LB for OU, same thing. He was an ealry commit to NU and Texas tried to get him to visit, but would not. Took one to OU and changed his commit. Texas does try to get kids to campus by telling them they have an offer but will not put it in writting until they get to campus. My brother-in-law played football at Texas, so beleive it or not, I do have some knowledge of what I talk about. 75% of kids receive an offer without ever stepping a foot on a campus.
I guess bottom line is if Texas got their pick of the litter every year of the best players in the country, would they not have more NC's then they do? A great HS player does not always make a great college player now does it?
Jimbo Mar 16 10
Mak, why lie. Texas did NOT offer Lewis period. YOU DO NOT GET AN OFFER TO PLAY FOR UT UNTIL AFTER YOU COME TO CAMPUS WITH YOUR PARENTS. WHY DO YOU KEEP TRYING TO SPIN IT ANOTHER WAY? ALSO UT ASK MANY KIDS TO COME TO THE JUNIOR DAYS THEY SET UP - THAT IS NOT A FRICKEN OFFER PAL. IN FACT MANY ARE UPSET IF THEY LEAVE WITHOUT THE OFFER BUT THAT IS WHY THEY GO, HOPING ONE IS COMING AND NOT THE WAY YOU PAINT IT - THAT ONE IS THERE ALREADY. DOUBT ANYTHING I SAID IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. WHY NOT GOOGLE MACKS RECRUITING DAY PRESS CONFERENCE? INSTEAD OF ARGUING WITH ME CALL MACK A LIAR IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER. I AM AFRAID OCT 16TH IS NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.
Jason Mar 16 10
Simmer down Jimbo. Texas has their pick of the litter talent wise. We all get that. Care to offer any insight as to how this new rule might impact UT (if at all)?
Jimbo Mar 16 10
Hi Jason, I already said the rule is stupid and I do not see why Maryland (the one suing the NCAA) does not just change the person's title back. Does anyone here think NU would have an advantage if Carl has the "coach in waiting" added to his title? This really is much to do about nothing. If a guy gets a great offer the "coach in waiting" title is not going to stop him from leaving a school to coach somewhere else. What this is all about (and rightfully so) is kids go to a school with the underlying promise that the coach that they built a relationship with will be there while they attend college. Actually it is a forward thinking concept to help kids but as with heatlh care or anything else there is always another way to spin it. Thanks for responding. :)
Voice of reason Mar 16 10
Why is Jimbo even on a Husker website? (this question is not directed at you Jimbo, no need to respond). They are called Trolls, just ignore them.
Jimbo Mar 16 10
Voice of reason: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH LOL :)
Mak Mar 17 10
Wow Jimbo, capital letters? And that is amazing that Texas can close 100% of the kids they offer. Guess I will not beleive anything that I read if it is not written by you. Guess the fact the my brother-in-law was given an offer the summer before his senior year, but not the written one till that fall when he took an "unofficial" visit is also not what happened. Do you have your own website so that we all may corrected in the real world? And Oct 16th can get here soon enough...
Jimbo Mar 18 10
Mak it is painfully obvious that you are lying. Mack has recruited this way for years and it is all over the internet and the 100% figure is correct. All 25 kids that came for an OFFICIAL VISIT accepted. 30 did not show up and 25 accepted. I do have a website for you. It is the UT website and search Mack Brown then watch his press conference after signing day. You can keep disagreeing with me but that does not make it correct. Oct 16th can not get here fast enough for UT either. We are soooo scared. A&M is going to get even every year, also OU, also TT but we just keep on going. WE ARE WHAT YOU USED TO BE. Get over it because being made won't make your team any better. 13-12 LOL
Jimbo Mar 18 10
irafreak: I doubt recruits are swayed by fans of a message board. I quote the following from the number 1 recruit in Oklahoma who just signed last month with UT.
Demarco Cobbs and I quote : It motivates me a lot because I either see or people tell me what people say on boards and stuff like that.
So everyone on all the big red sites keep talking away about payback and how much you hate Texas. I am sure we can relay the message to the recruits in Texas for you.
God I love it when I am right :)
OU7times Mar 19 10
Did I mention lately that Alabama is one hell of a team?
Jimbo Mar 19 10
Glad you noticed OU that Alabama has a real team, do you think stoops noticed and while you notice things how about scoreboard...lol 4 out of 5 ....notice anything there Pal? :) By the way Cobbs what talking about the OU fanbase but the point peabrain was recruits DO follow message boards. NU fans should take note and not be like YOU but actually it plays into my grand plan to make both you and NU completely irrelevent. Keep posting OU - the plan is working..
OU7times Mar 19 10
I get what you say. It was great when Coach Stoops (to you) won 5 straight against Texas.
Did anyone else notice that the real champion won the BCS Championship game.
Man, that Alabama put the spanky on Texas.