Tag: John Mackovic

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.

 

Tom Herman Makes Texas Longhorns History

Head coach of the Texas Longhorns Tom Herman made history for the school Tuesday night in San Antonio.

When the Texas Longhorns came calling before the 2017 season for Tom Herman, the school was hoping that he could rekindle some of their magic they had lost since the days of Mack Brown and before him the legendary Darrell K. Royal.

After going 22-4 in two seasons where Herman led teams were perfect at home (14-0), against AP ranked teams (6-0) and against power five conference teams (5-0). It was feeling a bit like Texas made the right hire in terms of putting the Longhorns back on the map in the college football landscape.

While the Longhorns have made some strides, it feels like they are just on the brink of getting to where they want to be. Their recruiting classes have been some of the best in the nation so this year is likely going to be a season that really puts the pressure on Herman to get his guys to win the conference and fight for a National Title.

Even though there have been some growing pains, with the Alamo Bowl victory, Tom Herman became the first head coach of Texas to win his first three bowl games since 1942. He has a ways to go to match the likes of Royal or Brown but Herman is on the right road.

Texas Coaches in First Three Bowls:

Tom Herman (3-0)

Dana Bible (2-0-1)

Blair Cherry (2-1)

Fred Akers (1-2)

John Mackovic (1-2)

Mack Brown (1-2)

Darrell K. Royal (0-2-1)