A lot has been made about the future of Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman, especially after two-straight losses heading into the bye week. We explored the idea of Urban Meyer to Texas and why it could potentially work. ESPN* recently explored the coaching landscape to identify which coaching positions might become available. Texas and Auburn were on the agenda.
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Before the season Herman brought in virtually a whole new staff but the same issues keep popping up again and again. They are having what we refer to as familiar failures. Losing to teams they should beat, and frankly playing too close to teams they are vastly more talented than. Not to mention they are recruiting top five talent but not see the development.
ESPN’s article breaks down some of their thoughts on his future in Austin.
What ESPN says
Herman and Malzahn both have contracts on their side. According to USA Today’s coaching database, Texas would owe Herman about $15.4 million if it made a change this year, while Auburn would owe Malzahn a whopping $21.45 million. With Malzahn’s guarantee, he would be owed $11 million of the $21-plus million within the first two months of termination. Those guarantees amid the pandemic — not even counting what their assistants would be owed — are steep. But Texas and Auburn both are places that can find the money when they really have to. The question is whether they reach a point where a change is inevitable, or whether they’ve targeted an obvious upgrade.
The story goes on to mention that Auburn has this conversation every year as they are “never happy.” The team is 3-2 but could easily be 1-4, that sounds eerily familiar to the situation at Texas. They could easily be 2-3 had it not been for a ball bouncing their way against Texas Tech.
The belief around Texas is that a move would be made only to go deep-sea hunting. The biggest fish available is Urban Meyer, Herman’s former boss at Ohio State, who last coached in 2018 and works as a Fox analyst. Would athletic director Chris Del Conte, who didn’t hire Herman, be open to Meyer and all that comes with him?
One source mentioned that Urban Meyer could make a play behind the scenes to get the job, while another mentioned that if Del Conte wants him then he could be inclined to make the move.
Beyond Meyer right now, the available candidates aren’t really known. When it comes to money, the University of Texas has the money plus with their big money donors that isn’t going to be an issue.
I get the feeling that they feel like Herman’s not the guy who can turn this thing around. But does that mean they make the change during the pandemic or wait a year? – source to ESPN on Herman
Given that Herman just re-tooled his staff I could see reason to give him another season. It might depend on how they finish out the year. If Texas can’t win the Big 12 Conference or even play for the title in a down year from Oklahoma, then when is the year?
If the feeling is that Herman isn’t the guy, there is no need in kicking this can down the road. The Longhorns have the money, the facilities and the talent to get this thing done. All they need now is the coach.