What I’ve learned from my obsession with TTU Football. Edited prior to posting after I went and took a huge dump and better organized my thoughts in the process. Feel free not to comment. I just had to vomit this out there so that I can move on and not obsess about this team for awhile.
--KK
---brilliant at getting most out of up-tempo, spread offenses (see McKay analysis)
---loves TTU and is a hard worker
---sucks at communicating with media and fan base
---has not been able to pull this team out of its current slide
---will kill it wherever he goes as an offensive coach, especially in NFL
--TTU Offense
---this style of offense needs mobile QB who is willing to take risks, e.g. not Shimonek – agree that this team wins 9-10 games with Mahomes
---nothing good happens when Shimonek scrambles
---King is the best RB available and criminally under-utilized
--TTU Defense
---Improved and moving in right direction
---Lack of pass rush prevents TTU from stepping on opponent’s neck
---On Saturday, TTU really missed Brooks, Gilmore, Johnson, and Hill
--TTU Special Teams
---kickers have cost us 1-2 games this year
--My Opinions as to Why TTU Does not have Better Results
---inflexible, up-tempo style and historically poor defense makes it hard to manage clock and hold leads
---only 3 non-conference games vs. 4 during Leach era
---Tuberville left the cupboard bare
---revolving carousel of DCs
---lack of availability of experienced QB on this year’s roster – see Mayfield/Mahomes/Stidham
---KK’s lack of flexibility in coaching style
---past risk-taking in recruiting has led to lack of consistent depth (a corollary of this concept is that if TTU gets a player with talent, they usually have baggage)
---this team is in a mental rut which leads to lack of confidence which leads to underperformance which necessitates change
---inability to counter negative recruiting
--What to Do Moving Forward
---Take an opportunity to thank the seniors for their service. This is a good group of guys.
---Recognize that whoever has the reins moving forward inherits a lot of returning talent
---Change HCs. Not everything is on his shoulders, but things are toxic enough that there needs to be a fresh start for him and TTU. Realistic best case scenario from this point for this year is 2-1. Most likely scenario is 1-2.
---Timing of Change. After the Texas game. Doing it sooner does not benefit anybody. Doing it later screws the early signees.
---Process of Change.
----Negotiate buyout with KK. $750k per year for 10 years, subject to offset by amounts he is paid in other employment during that time. Allows him to have financial security and dignity, which he deserves. Minimizes the cash flow crunch to TTU. Pays him interest on the longer payout. Preserves good will between him and the university moving forward.
----New coach criteria: (1) Proven winner at some level; (2) Connected to Texas HS football recruiting stream; (3) Ability to connect with alumni, especially legacies; (4) has the maturity/know-how to manage the transition with existing roster, recruits, and fans. (5) has the ability to recruit the players and coaches he needs to succeed
----I am not so worried that they have a past, long-standing connection with TTU. They just have to have the ability and desire to have one moving forward.
--KK
---brilliant at getting most out of up-tempo, spread offenses (see McKay analysis)
---loves TTU and is a hard worker
---sucks at communicating with media and fan base
---has not been able to pull this team out of its current slide
---will kill it wherever he goes as an offensive coach, especially in NFL
--TTU Offense
---this style of offense needs mobile QB who is willing to take risks, e.g. not Shimonek – agree that this team wins 9-10 games with Mahomes
---nothing good happens when Shimonek scrambles
---King is the best RB available and criminally under-utilized
--TTU Defense
---Improved and moving in right direction
---Lack of pass rush prevents TTU from stepping on opponent’s neck
---On Saturday, TTU really missed Brooks, Gilmore, Johnson, and Hill
--TTU Special Teams
---kickers have cost us 1-2 games this year
--My Opinions as to Why TTU Does not have Better Results
---inflexible, up-tempo style and historically poor defense makes it hard to manage clock and hold leads
---only 3 non-conference games vs. 4 during Leach era
---Tuberville left the cupboard bare
---revolving carousel of DCs
---lack of availability of experienced QB on this year’s roster – see Mayfield/Mahomes/Stidham
---KK’s lack of flexibility in coaching style
---past risk-taking in recruiting has led to lack of consistent depth (a corollary of this concept is that if TTU gets a player with talent, they usually have baggage)
---this team is in a mental rut which leads to lack of confidence which leads to underperformance which necessitates change
---inability to counter negative recruiting
--What to Do Moving Forward
---Take an opportunity to thank the seniors for their service. This is a good group of guys.
---Recognize that whoever has the reins moving forward inherits a lot of returning talent
---Change HCs. Not everything is on his shoulders, but things are toxic enough that there needs to be a fresh start for him and TTU. Realistic best case scenario from this point for this year is 2-1. Most likely scenario is 1-2.
---Timing of Change. After the Texas game. Doing it sooner does not benefit anybody. Doing it later screws the early signees.
---Process of Change.
----Negotiate buyout with KK. $750k per year for 10 years, subject to offset by amounts he is paid in other employment during that time. Allows him to have financial security and dignity, which he deserves. Minimizes the cash flow crunch to TTU. Pays him interest on the longer payout. Preserves good will between him and the university moving forward.
----New coach criteria: (1) Proven winner at some level; (2) Connected to Texas HS football recruiting stream; (3) Ability to connect with alumni, especially legacies; (4) has the maturity/know-how to manage the transition with existing roster, recruits, and fans. (5) has the ability to recruit the players and coaches he needs to succeed
----I am not so worried that they have a past, long-standing connection with TTU. They just have to have the ability and desire to have one moving forward.
