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.