It seems that every media outlet, social media account, or on-air personalities have attempted to put together their own “Mount Rushmore” of a certain topic. There are no shortages of notable names for the Texas football program, so we’re going to jump on board and give it a shot. From legendary coaches to players on the field, there is quite a pool of talent to choose from.
Patrick’s Mount Rushmore
Darrell K. Royal
It is difficult to put together a top four list that doesn’t involve Coach Royal. The stadium is named after him and he brought the Longhorns three National Championships and 11 conference titles in his 20-year run as head coach. The Longhorns were just 1-9 the season the season before Royal’s hire and went 6-4-1 in that first year including an invite to the Sugar Bowl. Overall he finished his coaching record with the Longhorns at 167-45-5 which included two undefeated seasons.
Vince Young
When people think of Texas, many remember the play in the Rose Bowl on fourth down. Vince Young willed a team that many felt would fall to USC en route to their third-straight National Championship. The highest rated recruit ever at the University of Texas provided many memories, including a National Championship that immortalized Young at Texas.
Mack Brown
The Texas Longhorns hadn’t won a National Title since 1970, when Mack Brown came to town it changed a lot for the Longhorns. During his tenure, Mack led the Longhorns to nine-straight seasons with double digit wins. Two National Championship appearances and one championship. While at Texas, Mack won 158 games putting him just nine short of Royal’s mark.
Earl Campbell
It would be an incomplete Mount Rushmore without Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 when he rushed for 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns. It was the first time a Longhorn had won the trophy. Overall, Campbell finished with 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns. His rushing yards total was the best in school history until Ricky Williams came along. Still the 3rd highest in school history behind Williams and the late Cedric Benson.