The Dark Decade: How Texas Longhorn Football Fell From Grace

[@TexasHomer]

Do you think we have things moving in the right direction?

[@patrickroberts9067]

With the offensive addictions, and Gary Patterson helping the defense. they've got every reason to be better in the 2nd year.

[@Vetteman6363]

Yes I believe in Sark! Hookem 🤘🏻

[@tommyroberts867]

Yes I believe we do, finally!

[@gdvanc]

kicked it off with wilhelm and then just laid down facts. i feel good about sark. last year was rough but there were so many factors that contributed to that. losing whitt, jones and casey's thumb all in one early critical game was a huge blow for the season. bodies had to be rebuilt to fit the new system; the previous s&c seemed to focus on power cleans and crap. pk's defense is a huge change to the previous defenses and relies a lot on positions where we had little quality depth. i could go on. sark has tried to address positions of need and depth. he brought in two high-upside quarterbacks. he finally recruited some large angry men for oline. the fact that we have like 39 new faces on an 85-man roster says something. all the new players may mean a rough start, but i feel like we're on the right track. i would like to have the "too much money" problem if such a thing existed.

[@daniellongoria9622]

I'm super excited about this season , I believe we have the ability to and talent to compete at a high level! Hookem!

[@floridapmi]

"Linemen create the game of football", there has NEVER been a truer statement when it comes to football EVER! It should be painted in big orange letters on the locker room wall. Remember those words when you hear pundits only wanting to talk about the people who handle the ball, it shows their true ignorance of the game we all love.

[@chiguy416]

I will always stand by the philosophy that ‘games are won and lost in the trenches’

[@floridapmi]

@@chiguy416 Anybody who doubts that, make them rewatch the Super Bowl from 2 years ago and see Mahomes run for his life every play because he had nothing but backup O-linemen.

[@chiguy416]

@@floridapmi Absolutely. You can be one of the most elite quarterbacks in the nation, if you don't have a solid Oline the chances of being successful are slim.

[@TxCen5432]

It comes down to qb in both the NFL, and college, when the linemen are equal. The final four in both leagues are usually the top 4 qbs, statistically.

[@chiguy416]

@@TxCen5432 For the most part yes, in the NFL there is less parity as everyone is typically on the same playing field. The point still stands though, just look at the Browns.

[@chiefs816kc]

CFB is my favorite sport. As an LSU alum and SEC fan, it is impossible to be critical of one's own football program. It is amazing how you can provide an honest assessment of your program.

[@jayswallow2554]

Watching this 4 games into the 2024 season with Texas ranked #1, won 16 of last 18 games with wins over Alabama and Michigan, steady and successful recruiting, and lots of players developed into NFL talent. Sark took the slow but thorough route to building a complete team and culture and its paying dividends now. Now just gotta keep showing the on-field result of all the behind-the-scenes work

[@utmark_m4990]

Good job Homer...I think our "Dark Decade" stems from multiple problems that you touched on. I'm hoping Sark changes all that.

[@TexasHomer]

I think the first step is addressing the issues and sark has been up front about that. So I feel good about the steps he has taken early on despite the year one record.

[@ashylarry5500]

This is your best video yet. There's a ton of misinformation out there on why we've been so bad (that usually breaks down after you ask one question) and this dispels a lot of those rumors. Great job.

[@beautifulgirl219]

Add enough 5 star OL, DL, and QB, and all of a sudden every player plays much better, and is more successful. I think Texas is headed in the right direction and will be improved this season. LOVE the OL recruiting this last class, and LOVE Ewers.

[@BetterLiving247]

5 star o lineman don’t matter. You can make an O lineman great, the best o lineman each year aren’t 5 star guys

[@TheoSprinkles]

@@BetterLiving247 please tell this to Bama, Ohio St. and Georgia.

[@BetterLiving247]

@@TheoSprinkles Cincinnati, Michigan, Oklahoma St, Oregon, Auburn, LSU, Michigan St, Penn St, Washington etc….oh yea Notre Dame

[@BetterLiving247]

@@TheoSprinkles go do me a favor homie….look up the top 20 nfl offensive lineman and see how many were 5 stars coming out of hs. Coaching over stars all day

[@TheoSprinkles]

@@BetterLiving247 Will do. How about you do yourself a favor and Google Bluechip ratio. You will learn that stars matter. No team has won a Natty without a composite Top 10 recruiting class and at least 1 Top 5 class in the previous 4 seasons. Furthermore, that fact that there is more 3 star NFL linemen is because there are more 3 stars in general. Its simple mathematical probability. There are more 4 stars than 5 stars and more 3 stars than 4 stars. 5 stars are rare. The better question is what percentage of 5 stars make it to the NFL over 4 and 3 stars. The hit percentage is higher the more stars you have. Stars matter by every possible metric.

[@ococ7699]

Homer, This was an excellent video! Hope more fans watch this video and learn from it, I know I did. Keep up the amazing work. Sark and company will turn this program around. He just needs the time.

[@wheel-e-umm]

Man, you are great at what you do! Nailed it!

[@roycelabor4339]

Great break down, probably the best I've seen/heard! It's VERY rarely only one thing that effects an organization, football, business, whatever. It did start with Mack, for whatever reason. Charlie Strong was/is a great guy, but not ready for a program like Texas. While I had hopes for Herman, I never liked his style and you nailed it with his style creating a "me" atmosphere. I do believe that Sark is the guy to bring us back to the top of the mountain. This year will be an indicator as to whether he is in fact THE guy. Thanks again for the great break down.

[@benjaminfinley9314]

Every CFB fan needs to watch this, since they all seem to know what’s “wrong with Texas”.

[@texasskyliner704]

I think we are headed in the right direction, for sure. Your hypothesis about culture in this video is right on target. Sark is the coach to get us back into prominence. Great video!

[@chrisherrera5769]

Aged very well

[@seagull5550]

Tx Ag here. Excellent video, I thought. I'm sure it won't surprise you to know that we've had our "dark decades" in College Station. Try to get it together before the move to the SEC. This place is the real deal.

[@waymoreblues]

Makes me think of the razorbacks who’ve been down for decades, the land a new coach who’s focusing on the trenches and boom, they’re climbing out of the gutter. Sark is addressing this and good times are coming soon. Excellent video Homer! Hook’em!

[@troyducote1846]

Exactly!! I have absolutely nothing to add. You said it all. And backed it all up with facts and research. Great Job! Let’s all look forward to the future. The dark decade is over.

[@stephenshell1562]

Great Job as always Sir, great to see you back.

[@melaniehadley_ATXlendingteam]

I LOVE your videos and especially this one. You organize your thoughts and the information so good and it is so easy to follow. You are honest with your comments backed up by facts, even when it’s not the best of news. Between you and On Texas Football y’all are the two best places to get REAL info about the team, recruits, and culture. Keep on, keepin on!

[@plexxtex655]

This was a fantastic video. Hit every point.

[@texasjasper]

100%right on! That being said, shrinking to the bottom to create humility has happen which needed to happen many years ago. The way the recruiting is going and the positive atmosphere “culture” is much improved. 2023 will have at least one big time NFL draftee in Robinson as well along with the Manning box checked, the momentum has not been this good since Colt Mc Coy. Biggest question for me is seeing the offensive line develops out of this recruiting class. Can’t wait!

[@wokemanishboi5003]

Great and precise as ALWAYS. 🤘🏿

[@smilerpink]

Sum up in one word: instability. It began at the UT admin level. As Mack was losing it, AD DeLoss Dodds was about to retire and Governor Rick Perry was trying to turn UT into an online diploma mill to boost his Presidential aspirations. UT President Bill Powers was preoccupied with fighting Perry off. With Mack fading and Dodds passive, boosters did step into the leadership void trying to engineer replacing Mack with Nick Saban. That failed and Strong was hired. You described him accurately (good dude in over his head). Herman was better both on the field and recruiting trail but you nailed his issues well too (abrasive style and poor staff management). Herman brought in highly ranked classes but didn’t develop them and suffered huge attrition. While all this dysfunction dragged on, Texas’ Big 12 rivals enjoyed relative stability and exploited Texas being down as did out of state powers as you said. Texas finally seems to have stable administration with a united President, BOR chair and AD. The Sark hire was far more competent and less rushed. Sark’s staff seems far more solid. Program issues (culture, S&C) have been acknowledged and are being addressed. So, yes, I think things should improve going forward. IT’s Eric Nahlin has said 2022 should be improved but 2023 should be the year things really take off. The young linemen coming in should be ready to power a resurgence on the 40. Should be fun to watch.

[@TexasHomer]

Great comment, accurate summation of the behind the scenes dysfunction. Our admin seems to be pulling in the same direction as you said and that’ll help.

[@BlurredUniverse357]

I still wish Texas would offer online schooling.

[@occbar]

Homer's definitely the best at what he does. Some of these other KZbin/podcast need to watch you.

[@paultibbs4486]

Great insight Homer! Thanks for the quality content.

[@Bevo_Baker]

Absolutely nailed it. Possibly your best video to date.

[@slaughery]

Solid review touching on all the issues and they’re all real. Nothing will happen until the coaching is set. After that it all building. Hope we’re headed that way. Hookem!

[@michaelramirez6310]

Great video and spot on. Tired of having to explain why we've been bad so I'm just gonna share this video instead 😆 🤣 😂

[@coa_paul3977]

Great video bro. Made me want you to ask you to feature Rod Babers sometime

[@william-ajones3959]

Spot on as usual Homer. I think sark has accomplished more in recruiting in one off season than the previous 2 coaches together.

[@chrisclark6134]

Hey, please keep making videos!!! You are 1st class brother

[@Danny-ti7yy]

Awesome vid Texas Homer!

[@augustus4062]

I used to think we were some mid team that did not have a chance at anything and it is crazy to come back to this video now knowing, around the nation a lot of people see us as the best, they see us as a powerhouse that's gonna win it all, and Im all for it. HOOK'EM

[@stevenhenderson5]

Amazing video homer! Like always

[@briandavis4580]

Great video. I'm not a Texas fan but was wondering why they had underachieved so much since Colt McCoy graduated. I knew they made some poor coaching hires but hadn't realized there was such a massive turnover with the assistant coaches. I also didn't realize the level of issues they had with the OL. I agree that people sometimes place too much of the blame on the boosters when things aren't going as planned. Maybe they'll turn things around up front after landing some really good players. Time will tell.

[@JakeGibbonsMD]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyable and agree with your assessment on our downfall.

[@shirleytwsw]

Great video man your right …a stud QB is a must I’m an OSU buckeye I’m glad Quinn went home no hard feelings at all I’ll be watching him this year and hoping for the best for him it would be nice to see him get some more development although he isn’t your average 5 star but so he should be fine he needs to sleep with that play book tho !

[@VorlonAngel]

This was really nicely done and I'm not a Texas fan per say. Who is the strength and conditioning coach at UT? That is the coach who actually spends the most time with the players. As far as moving in the right direction only time will tell at this point. The first thing that needs to be done is win the games you are supposed to win and do so convincingly. Hint, don't don't lose to Kansas at home, or in Kansas! 😁 One last thing and you touched on it. The OL should be the core of your team and no I was not a lineman, I was a wing-back. The OL determines how much time the QB has to throw, how far the RB gets before he is touched (ie. Emmitt Smith with the Great Wall of Dallas), and yes, the OL determines how much rest the defense gets by keeping the ball on long drives. So you see, your team will only go as far as the OL will take you. So what caliber OL does TX have right now?🤔 We will see.😉

[@BetterLiving247]

Gotta follow Michigan’s blueprint on how to build a blue blood back to glory, don’t star gaze and only chase the 5 star players, recruit tough blue collar players and sprinkle in a few 5 stars here and there. Build the team from the trenches out on both sides. Michigan won the offensive line of the year trophy and had one of the best D lines in the nation last year.

[@brandonfoster7400]

Excellent video!! I couldn’t agree more.

[@tommyroberts867]

Outstanding video. Wish you shared more videos.

[@dougfarrer1693]

I'm not sure how to answer this at times due to inconsistency. Mack started recruiting badly ,Strong tried hard but failed miserably on the field. Tom Herman got it going back in the right direction but failed in winning a championship got a nice win in the Sugar Bowl other than that underachieving. Sark had a rough first season implementing a new system but bounced back to have a decent 2nd season but once again underachieving. Texas is better than what their record shows but that doesn't matter unless you prove it on the field

[@franknitti100]

Great work 🤘🏿

[@jeoh93]

The schematic stability was a major factor I think. Mack went through an existential crisis on offense after the 2010 title game then I think Strong went about it the totally wrong way trying to play a dated pro style offense in a spread dominated state. Tom Herman’s offense was very one dimensional and under utilized the talent on the roster. Hopefully Sark can get it together and there are definitely times where it seems he can. When he says building trust I think it means trust in the players to commit to the playbook and learn the nuances. Hopefully they can. Have to put it on the players now.

[@TheoSprinkles]

Agreed. The single most important issue that caused Texas' death spiral was mack changing the Offense in 2010. Period. Havent heard too many people discuss this and when you try to talk Xs and Os in a youtube comment section you get crickets.

[@earnestpeeplesjr8948]

The difference with boosters in Alabama and Texas is this. The state of Texas BLEEDS football, boosters @ Texas run wild while other schools they are held in check. There has to be a balance push and pull. There is pull from boosters but, little push back from Texas

[@sphhuntsville2525]

Brother, you sound ri-damn-diculous to be honest. Sark HIMSELF said being at Bama showed him how dedicated Boosters are. Not even USC had football crazy Boosters like Bama. Alabama Boosters are some of the most football crazy rich people, senators, actors, CEOs & former alums on this planet. PLEASE BELIEVE IT! You dead wrong on this one.

[@earnestpeeplesjr8948]

@@sphhuntsville2525 Well guess what....we'll see how "so-called" powerful they are now that Saban is gone. We're also gonna see how many ACTUAL fans 'Bama REALLY has......

[@zachattach850]

I have a feeling Arch Manning might head that way. I feel like Ewers might be a wash. LSU fan btw… it would be a huge boost in momentum. You hit the nail on the head, though. I don’t think I’d give up on Sark after one season.

[@jameswoods5096]

Rewatching this as we begin 2024. Damn Sark is awesome

[@genxsports8486]

I'd say it's a total rebuild without carrying over any of the old staff. Baylor has had coach turnover but sustained success so that means they have the right AD and staff. At some point they have to have to play the long game for the program. They must adapt to the new landscape of college football.

[@tjjohnson927]

Brilliant breakdown.

[@markothwriter]

It's all because of that "stinger" that Colt McCoy got in 2009. We've been cursed since then. But, really we don't have the extra program things that the big schools have because we were behind the times. Alabama was hiring extra staff, consultants, and investing in technology while we were stuck in the past.

[@christhembones8244]

In my opinion it started with rumors of Mack retiring. He was only around 57 years old in 2009 but looked 70 years old. Then, we started recruiting weak in the trenches...plus everything else in video mentioned. Also, I think Deloss Dodds dropped the ball by not seeing the vision of Texas being in the SEC. A&M certainly started to recruit better being in the SEC.

[@michaelnewton1332]

1:43 It’s not about moneyyy…it’s about sending a message. Everything burns…

[@garydavis5703]

As an OU fan, stability and consistency - winning can solve a lot of problems...:)

[@DMS-pq8]

Texas is what it is. I've been a fan since 1983 and have seen more bad than good, 2004-2009 was the exception to what has been a pretty mediocre program over the last 40yrs

[@KtoddN]

Dam Homer, I liked everything you said and I agree.. I'm so tired of hearing people put us down and talk about how the boosters run the program.. Its like they all just want yo see Texas fail. I see it as jealousy personally.. From the boosters to recruiting you are spot on and that's why I always watch for your video's.. I'm sharing this video with all the haters! 😅 Facts! I love how you back it up with facts man it's obvious that you work hard and you take pride in what you do.. And you know what you were saying about how the recruiting in the state of Texas is so true and its why I'm excited about the culture I'm hearing about this off season. If Sark can continue to build this team with those top recruits and working the portal to get the best players, and then go to the SEC and win, then I believe the Texas players will want to play at Texas in the SEC.. It just makes sense. All they have to do is win! Hook Em! 🤘

[@rghall57]

Im not sure what the answer is, but my observation is that the players seem to lack mental and physical toughness. Example: The Oklahoma game. Texas came out firing on all cylinders. It appeared to be their day to win. But Oklahoma would not quit. In the 4th quarter, it seemed Texas just gave up.

[@Camontheedge]

Praying that we are on the back side of this 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@dougfarrer1693]

It started when Mack stopped going to watch the prospects and just looked at how many stars they had. Then after the loss to Alabama he had a knee jerk reaction changing the offense to be more like Alabama. Now yes the boosters are a problem BIG PROBLEM!!!!!! They need to take it easy and let a coach and his staff do their thing and give them time to get the program going in the right direction. I truly think Sark can get it right if given time and the boosters ease up

[@corypeacock556]

Great video

[@kevinlindstrom8486]

Very good work. Thorough, accurate, detailed. I do think you dismiss the booster issue a little too quickly because there is something to that argument, although you're right its not the *only* reason. For example, see what Saban did relative to the boosters when he arrived in Tuscaloosa. But absolutely right, its not "just" the boosters, or "just" the culture. It absolutely is a systemic issue that requires a foundational approach exactly as you describe. The only thing you don't mention that I think needs to be addressed is student leadership. Mack Brown needed Vince Young. At the end of the day, you have to have people leading from within the team. Even Saban does. See last year. But everything else? Nailed it, much more thorough than the vast majority of "analysis" of Longhorn football. I guess one other thing is more accurate and effective recruiting. This is where the culture may be having an impact, although you make a good point about past cosches recruiting the wrong positions. But mostly when you talk about hiring the right coaches and keeping them, you're kind of touching on that so I can see that.

[@DODGERRUDY69]

Stay the course🧡🧡🧡🙏🏽

[@waltershoults8803]

Great piece Homer 🤘 Hookem!!

[@randystuddard7174]

Losing to Texas Tech is a major setback. Sark needs a signature win! 🤘

[@AustinSportsGuy]

Could you imagine what Texas football would be like if Sam hadn’t grown up wanting with all his body and soul to be a Longhorn? He probably would’ve gone elsewhere and there’s no telling what would’ve happened to the program.

[@az0922858]

We will be a power house very soon my friends. Hook ‘em!

[@richardmccleary5244]

This was a great video Homer, thank you. You quite literally nailed it. I do want to comment on 2010-2014, I’m not sold it was Mack that lost his sting, once Will left for FL, Mack hired Diaz and I firmly believe for whatever reason Diaz brought some kind of culture that did not fit TX. 1998-2104 may make for a great video, rise and fall of Mack/TX. Let me know if I can assist brother! Hook ‘em!

[@TexasHomer]

Appreciate you brother, yeah I’m thinking of doing a wider history of Texas going way back so I’ll def take a dive.

[@DMS-pq8]

Mack got lazy in recruiting and only went after the easy safe players instead of going after the best players

[@TheoSprinkles]

Mack switched the offense in the complete opposite direction of the way the Big12 and TxHS football was going. If you were a QB or WR recruit you would much rather play in Baylor, Tech, OU, TCU or OSU scheme. Imo

[@DMS-pq8]

@@TheoSprinkles And it ruined Garrett Gilbert by having him play in an offense he had no experience with and a offensive line that sucked at run blocking

[@estebangarcia5689]

Mr Homer, best content seen and heard in long time. Hook'em!!!!

[@victorabundis8923]

CULTURE! Sark is building it.

[@maheshprabhu]

I understand the coaching changes impact production. But how come Baylor, post-Briles with the program gutted, have 10+ win seasons in year 2 of new coaches? We need to look at how to win in the big 12 before we seek national relevancy.

[@Peter.Young21]

I cant agree with your talent assessment or lineman assessment. We play against Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas, Kansas State. These schools are 100% 3 stars and maybe some 2 stars sprinkled in. Then you have WVU, TCU, Baylor. These schools might get 1 or 2 four stars per year. So other than OU, Texas has no excuse with talent. None.

[@brucecarroll523]

My thoughts exactly. Look at what Oklahoma State does the with 40th ranked recruiting class. I think the rotating coaching is probably the biggest issue. And I think the cause of that is the decision makers expect a miracle in 2-3 years. ESPN does not help either. They set Texas up for disappointment by ranking them so high to start the season.

[@estebangarcia5689]

The content I heard and seen. Awesome 👌 Mr Homer. Hook'em!!

[@chrisskipper7014]

Texas hasn't been great since DKR was forced to retire by the lowly alums...11 conference titles in 20 years just wasn't good enough for them.

[@thomasdaniel1661]

Tom Herman was gotten rid of because of the fact that he couldn't win a national championship. Well, his replacement doesn't look like he's going to either. And yet they were in bowl games and won every single one and two of them.They were doubled point underdogs, and one by double points, and they still got rid of him

[@JaredBrown459]

An 7-8 win season is not the standard here in Texas we’re suppose to be competing for championships if that’s what you want you can still pray for Herman to be hired by some FCS team

[@earnestpeeplesjr8948]

NIL changed the face of recruiting.

[@gregieboy]

Brilliant!

[@guineveregruntle6746]

Sounds like he’s got it figured out.

[@Mzbbxhfbfnsx]

Xavier Worthy is the best player y’all got. A Biletnikoff contender. But that won’t be enough. Going to the SEC the spotlight and competition will only get bigger

[@thomasdaniel1661]

It didn't get any better today

[@GirthNorwitzki]

I think Sark can get us back on track!

[@kalebchapman7893]

Preach Homer 🤘🏽

[@Sabzilla]

Good video

[@DTraiN5795]

🤘😤🤘

[@TexasHomer]

🤘

[@lemerkin3633]

In what ways do you think sark is addressing these issues?

[@TexasHomer]

Maintaining coordinators to build consistency, recruiting well in the trenches, securing a top QB, not being abrasive to the donors/team, hiring credentialed staff with proven development/recruiting chops

[@wattlawton6770]

This video is amazing….perfect breakdown. #hookem

[@Bones12x2]

In short... We need to give Sark time. Unless he comptletely flops for two more seasons, he needs at least a five year run.

[@vinnymac9468]

We need new uniforms 🤘🗣

[@danielgc1970]

Excellent analysis. Hook'em

[@robertbritton9674]

Basically all he has to do is beat OU every season. Job security

[@ninefingerjack]

I'm just coming here as an Oregon fan happy that mack got destroyed in his last game. Oh and I have to live here so might as well get some schadenfreude in.

[@Greenlantern5783]

as much as I hate Texas this video was spot on for yall

[@mobchris937]

We don’t care🤘🏽

[@noneya990]

Great video but I couldn't let you get away with the "Texas struggled to recruit" part of the video. 5 out of the 8 years that you provided, Texas was in the top 10 in recruiting. You're trying to say that isn't excellent recruiting?? That's better recruiting than every school in the nation aside from like 4 or 5 schools. The majority of schools would kill for recruiting like that.

[@Mark-db8id]

Trenches

[@Roaddog-hu2nn]

Sarkisian hasn't proved anything as a head coach. ok he has he can drink the kool-aid with the best of them.. don't believe Sarkisian is the answer.

[@FreddyMacT]

Mack Brown was leading a bad program. A lot of ugly stuff kept in the closet during his final years. He recruited poorly and got trounced in those final years by OU and a lot of programs getting talents over Texas. Next was failure in development, we went from a program that put high draft picks in the NFL, to barely any. Not only is that bad for the current state of the program, but it hurt recruiting. Then it was failure to move on from Brown, hiring a string of "underdog" coaches that imo don't fit the mantra Texas should be looking for. All of this combined lead to the downfall.

[@informativecontribution2371]

We will stay that way, until we move to the SEC, once we move to the SEC we will be the next Vanderbilt. Our football program with be subpar from here on out.

[@eddierendon1354]

Don’t takes win for granted! UT is mediocre! Maybe they’ll turn it around and maybe they won’t!

[@DanOKC]

Texas will be on top this year............... Big 12 and Playoff spot.

[@Dagan81]

As a Tennessee fan, I totally understand how Texas fans feel.

[@TxCen5432]

Texas hasn’t had an elite coach since I’ve been watching(1977). No one got blown out like Mack.

[@meangreenshow6967]

Local Red Cross comment 😂

[@michaellong6336]

Its painful. Is sark the right guy. Can you lose to Kansas and be the right guy. Should there be a zero tolerance for losing records and losing to Kansas. I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Our players spend more time flexing after plays and celebrating themselves than any other school. Do we recruit stupid and spoiled children

[@forestdweller512]

Big daycare for the rich.