Tag: David McWilliams

Remembering when Texas stole Texas Tech’s football coach in 1987

Chris Beard isn’t the only coach Texas has stolen from Texas Tech.

David McWilliams coached for both the Longhorns and the Red Raiders in the 1980s. He lasted all of one year at Texas Tech before Texas stole their football coach.

To be fair, McWilliams was always a Longhorn. Prior to taking the head coaching job in Lubbock, McWilliams graduated from the University of Texas before serving as the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator.

As we have seen with Chris Beard, Tech fans don’t see returning to an alma mater as a good excuse for leaving their school.

In 1986, McWilliams led Texas Tech to a surprise 7-5 season in his first year at Texas Tech. Included in those seven wins was a victory over his alma mater, the Texas Longhorns. Tech won the game 31-23, catapulting McWilliams to one of the better jobs in the country.

McWilliams would go on to coach at Texas from 1987 to 1991. His time with the two schools is just one of many aspects that have shaped the in-state rivalry.

On Saturday, the two teams will convene for perhaps their final meeting in Lubbock at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas Football: A look at recent head coaches in their fourth year

Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman is heading into his fourth year so we journey back in time to see how recent coaches have fared.

The Texas Longhorns are going into their fourth season under Tom Herman. Herman already made Texas history after the Alamo Bowl. He became the first Longhorns head coach to win his first three bowl games. The fourth season for Herman is a monumental one for him and the future of the Texas Longhorns. Prior to the Alamo Bowl Herman relieved Tim Beck and Todd Orlando of their coordinator duties. Hiring a whole new staff essentially, Herman gets a fresh start in 2020 but not exactly clean slate.

As Chris Del Conte stated, you get one opportunity to change your staff and now Herman has to make the most of his opportunity. There is tremendous pressure to perform in his fourth year. While it doesn’t appear that Herman is currently on the hot seat but a poor performance in 2020 could light that seat ablaze in a hurry.

With so much as stake for the team in 2020, we take a journey back to how the last five head coaches have performed in their fourth year at the helm.

Mack Brown’s fourth year (2001: 11-2)

  • Lost to Oklahoma 14-3
  • Finished 1st in the Big 12 South. Lost in the Big 12 Championship Game
  • Defeated Washington (47-43) in the Holiday Bowl
  • Final Ranking-5th in Coaches and AP Poll

John Mackovic’s fourth year (1995: 10-2-1)

  • Tied Oklahoma 24-24
  • Southwest Conference Champions
  • Lost to Virginia Tech (28-10) in the Sugar Bowl
  • Final Ranking-14th in Coaches and AP Poll

David McWilliams’ fourth year (1990: 10-2)

  • Defeated Oklahoma 14-13
  • Southwest Conference Champions
  • Lost to Miami (46-3) in the Cotton Bowl
  • Final Ranking-10th in Coaches Poll 12th in AP Poll

Fred Akers’ fourth year (1980: 7-5)

  • Defeated Oklahoma 20-13
  • Finished 4th in the Southwest Conference
  • Lost to North Carolina in the Bluebonnet Bowl
  • Did not finish the season ranked

Darrell K. Royal’s fourth year (1960: 7-3-1)

  • Defeated Oklahoma 24-0
  • Finished 3rd in the Southwest Conference
  • Tied Alabama (3-3) in the Cotton Bowl
  • Final Rankings- 17th in the Coaches Poll

The pressure is on for Herman to beat Oklahoma, finish in the top two in the conference to play for the championship and of course win whatever bowl game they qualify for. With a new staff the excitement is high and now as the season approaches he will need to lean on his seniors to lead the way.