Former Texas head coach Mack Brown shared an interesting story of what he discussed with the team leading up to the 2006 Rose Bowl game.
The video of Brown, released by ESPN’s College Football account, gave listeners a behind the scenes preview of his pregame speech shortly before Texas shocked the University of Southern California to win the National Championship.
Brown’s primary goal amid the speech was to help his players feel loose, confident, and remind them to have fun. In a moment that many would feel intense pressure to perform well, Brown joked about the Jerry Springer television show.
.@CoachMackBrown tells a 2006 Rose Bowl story that you probably haven't heard
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Brown revealed that he watched three consecutive episodes of the Jerry Springer show in the hotel before conducting the team meeting. After thanking the players for getting the team to such a big moment, Brown decided to throw a curveball.
Right as the players were intensely hanging on to every word that Brown muttered, he asked whether or not they have seen the Jerry Springer show.
As every player acknowledged having seen the show at some point, Brown educated the team to never bring a wife or girlfriend onto the show. The team burst out in laughter, instantly expressing a sense of relief.
Brown’s unusual way with words was enough to get the job done.