Friday, October 14
Hornsblog History
As we approach the one year anniversary of All Things Longhorn, we will periodically take a look back at some of the interesting topics that have popped up over the past twelve months. Today we look back to January 18, 2005. On that day, Texas announced that it had hired defensive coordinator Gene Chizik away from Auburn. Here's what we said about it:
Texas steals Auburn Defensive Coordinator
In what I consider to be a stunning coup d’etat, Texas has lured Auburn defensive guru Gene Chizik to become its next defensive coordinator. Chizik, 43, was the coach who led Auburn’s spectacular defense to a 13-0 season and Sugar Bowl victory. Auburn was the nation’s #1 defense in terms of scoring, allowing a measly 11.3 points per game.
This is a real feather in Mack Brown's cap. For all the criticism he endures for his struggles in big games, he has built a monster of a program. When you can steal away a top SEC team's defensive coordinator, not to be your head coach, but to be your own defensive coordinator, you've really got something special going.
The disappointment over the loss of Greg Robinson, who was hired to be Syracuse’s head coach, immediately dissipates for Horns fans. Chizik is not only Robinson’s equal; he is, in many minds, superior. Texas fans now only have to wonder if Greg Davis can ever figure out how to score against Oklahoma. If so, Texas could finally find itself with a chance to play for the national championship. Texas had never played in the Rose Bowl prior to this year. Why not make it two in a row?
--PB--
We suspected Chizik would be a boon to the defense, but thus far he's already exceeded our already high expectations. This year's defense is better than last year's, despite the concerns over losing Derrick Johnson. The secondary has been oustanding, Aaron Harris has captained a solid linebacking group, and the defensive line (Brian Robinson and Rod Wright, in particular) has been stout. The defense single-handedly saved Texas from a defeat against Ohio State, and hasn't let up since. Congratulations to Mack Brown on what may prove to be the biggest offseason news of all.
--PB--
Texas steals Auburn Defensive Coordinator
In what I consider to be a stunning coup d’etat, Texas has lured Auburn defensive guru Gene Chizik to become its next defensive coordinator. Chizik, 43, was the coach who led Auburn’s spectacular defense to a 13-0 season and Sugar Bowl victory. Auburn was the nation’s #1 defense in terms of scoring, allowing a measly 11.3 points per game.
This is a real feather in Mack Brown's cap. For all the criticism he endures for his struggles in big games, he has built a monster of a program. When you can steal away a top SEC team's defensive coordinator, not to be your head coach, but to be your own defensive coordinator, you've really got something special going.
The disappointment over the loss of Greg Robinson, who was hired to be Syracuse’s head coach, immediately dissipates for Horns fans. Chizik is not only Robinson’s equal; he is, in many minds, superior. Texas fans now only have to wonder if Greg Davis can ever figure out how to score against Oklahoma. If so, Texas could finally find itself with a chance to play for the national championship. Texas had never played in the Rose Bowl prior to this year. Why not make it two in a row?
--PB--
We suspected Chizik would be a boon to the defense, but thus far he's already exceeded our already high expectations. This year's defense is better than last year's, despite the concerns over losing Derrick Johnson. The secondary has been oustanding, Aaron Harris has captained a solid linebacking group, and the defensive line (Brian Robinson and Rod Wright, in particular) has been stout. The defense single-handedly saved Texas from a defeat against Ohio State, and hasn't let up since. Congratulations to Mack Brown on what may prove to be the biggest offseason news of all.
--PB--
