Morning Wrap: Longhorn Network to Show 5 Hours of Bevo for Christmas

Bevo at Home

((ht: sbnation.com))

No, the headline does not have a typo in it.

While WPIX-TV in New York City may have been the first TV station to show the "Yule Log" for Christmas. It's now been topped.

And yes, people actually turn on their TV's and just have the shot of a fireplace log on it.

Uh...anyway....

The Longhorn Network will take the "Yule Log" and put a Texas twist on it. Or so to speak.

The all Texas Longhorns TV channel will show five hours of commercial free video of the Longhorns mascot, Bevo the Bull, roaming on his ranch.

Yes, really.

Supposedly the network will pipe in Christmas music as background. And hey, it just might work.

Heck, we're guessing if the Alabama Crimson Tide had their own network, they could show five hours of a Nick Saban photo with a Christmas sweater, put music behind it and it would be the highest rated show in the state.

But we could be wrong....

TCU Crushes Texas 48-10 And Improves It's Street Cred For CFB Selection Committee

In the beauty pageant that is the College Football Playoff the TCU Horned Frogs is starting to look
much prettier without the beer goggles.

On Thanksgiving night the Frogs took care of business and then some against the Texas Longhorns.

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns and the Horned Frog defense intercepted Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoops four times leading to a 48-10 rout over the Longhorns.



It was TCU's longest margin of victory over Texas in Austin since 1956 when the Horned Frogs won 46 - 0.

TCU's defense was dominant forcing six Texas turnovers and taking advantage with 30 of the Frogs' 48 points coming off those Longhorn miscues.

"You just can't turn the ball over."  Texas head coach Charlie Strong said. "It's one of those where you have to play good, clean football. We didn't play clean football tonight."

If game control is a strong metric for the College Football Playoff selection committee than TCU should impress.

The Horned Frogs jumped on Texas for 13 points in the first quarter and then put their foot to the throat of the Longhorns in the 4th quarter with 28 points.

TCU supporters are wondering is this what you have to do to break into the final four of the CFB Playoff.

"To me, everybody was talking about how important Texas was, about how good they are, at the beginning of the year."  TCU head coach Gary Patterson said.  "You know, you've got to keep with the same story, you can't say now that they are not any good. I mean, three quarters of the United States was picking Texas to beat us tonight. You can't be like now Texas is not any good. They are a really good football team,"

'I think the whole team came in with the mindset of being ready to play." TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson said.  "Obviously I'd be lying if we weren't aware of style points and all that, but just came out and played TCU football and did what we had to do."

"At the end of the day, if you're talking about the playoffs, it's really not up to us." TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin said.

A 38 point win over Texas in Austin should carry some weight when the committee meets again and releases their poll Tuesday night.

Next up for the Horned Frogs is a home game against Iowa State and unfortunately that game won't do much for your body of work.

Longhorns Get A Pep Talk From Matthew

((HT: Longhorn Network))

And they got the one guy who could really pep them up to do it...

No real guesses needed...


And that's why he's priceless to both movies and sports...

David Ash Is Done At Texas

((HT: Longhorn Network))

David Ash will no longer play football-period.

Head coach Charlie Strong said that, as a result of multiple concussions, his former starting quarterback is giving up the sport.

His first major concussion was in a game against BYU last season. He came back for the Kansas State game, but still suffered some after-effects and was ruled out of the season.

He came back for the 2014 season opener against North Texas and still had issues after the game against the Mean Green. He has decided it's, simply, time to go. Coach Strong did say that Ash will still be a part of the football program

Here's the story of Ash and what he meant to the Longhorns


The HQ commends Ash for making a smart decision and wanting to have a "rest of his life."

Just How Bad Is Texas Football Right Now...???

And by "Texas," the HQ means specifically the Longhorns...

We get that Charlie Strong is disposing of a lot... No, A LOT!!!... of Mack Brown's recruits in a cleaning house of massive proportions- 8 so far with four more players that were "suspended" for the game against BYU Saturday night...

The larger questions was: Just how many guys were left to chase after Cougars QB Taysom Hill...???

Answer: Not enough...

It was ugly and it was the most points allowed by a Texas team since they gave up 66 to UCLA

Charlie Strong took the blame for the "embarassment..."
((HT: KVUE-TV))
KSL-TV's Alex Kirry gives the game-day grades, and the HQ imagines they're a lot of "A's"

2 Longhorns Footballers Suspended After Sexual Assault Charges

((HT: KVUE-TV))

The HQ doesn't really post these stories, but the alleged mental slowness angle is the reason we're posting the story.

Two Texas Longhorns wide receivers, Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander, are now both charged with sexual assault and out on personal recognizance bonds. Head coach Charlie Strong has suspended the two players pending the resolution of the case.

So, what's the reason we're posting this story...???

Sanders is also facing an improper photography charge.

Translation: The two players allegedly assaulted a campus acquaintance, but one of the two apparently took pictures.

Campus police are investigating the charge that Meander's room was the location of the alleged assault. The report says that Meander and the woman who eventually went to police had consensual sex before Sanders entered the room and allegedly began assaulting her.

Meander, then, allegedly joined in the assault.

Ryan Autullo, Brian Davis and Tony Plohetski of the Austin American-Statesman covering the story went to UTPD chief of police David Carter press conference this afternoon. Carter said investigators confiscated Meander's and Sanders' cell phones through a search warrant. Carter didn't say if there was any evidence inside them or not.

Here's the live shot from outside the jail
Texas DB Quandre Diggs on his Twitter account was less than pleased: "It's a shame when people piss away great opportunities, God has given us all tremendous blessings." That seems to be the prevailing opinion among teammates right now... Head coach Charlie Strong released a statement on the arrest: "We've been monitoring and addressing the situation with Kendall (Sanders) and Montrel (Meander) since it was brought to our attention. It's been made clear to everyone on our team that treating women with respect is one of our core values, and I'm extremely disappointed that two young men in our program have been accused of not doing that. With the recent charges against them, they have been suspended indefinitely from our football team and will no longer participate in any team functions."
The on-campus investigation should take a few weeks.

And Then There Was The ASU-Texas Finish

((HT:NCAA March Madness))

Jonathan Holmes missed his three-pointer wide right, but Cameron Ridley was camped out underneath the basket as time expired. A lot of folks think Ridley would not have made the basket he made this season as his put-back gave Texas the win over Arizona State.

It's the first Texas win in the March tournament in three years
Here's the finish...

BUZZER BEATER: Jonathan Holmes Steps Up For Longhorns

Texas needed a big shot to overcome 22nd ranked Kansas State and Jonathan Holmes manned up and placed the dagger in the Wildcats.

Thanks ESPN

"I knew since they were worried about Javan (Felix), my man was going to go with him, so I just slipped to the ball and I was open and made the shot." Holmes said.

Holmes would have eight points and 10 rebounds against K-State.

"When John hit the shot I was happy, first because we won the game, and obviously because I missed those two free throws. But, it is good we can get out with the win." Texas guard Javan Felix said.

Felix led the 'Horns with 23 points 

With the win Texas is now 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference, 15-4 overall.

Red McCombs "Kicked In The Face" Over Strong Hire

((HT: ESPN))

Red McCombs was the owner of the Minnesota Vikings when the team hired Mike Tice...

That worked out well...

And, now, McCombs (the largely influential Texas Longhorns Booster) is hot about the hiring of Charlie Strong as the new Texas coach... since he wasn't consulted...

McCombs wanted Jon Gruden... which was another great idea on his plate...

Lacking anything else to do, he went on a talk show in San Antonio to express his displeasure over not being consulted on the hiring of Charlie Strong- a "kick in the face..." he called it...

Here's the sound bite from McCombs and sports talk radio...


McCombs has donated nine figures to the school which, of course, means he can dictate who can be coach...

Since the track record is so solid...

All that's missing is a harumph, a heel turn off his boots, and walking back to whence he came...

Is Texas Longhorn Strong...???

So, after Baylor head coach Art Briles tweeted his disinterest in the Texas job and UCLA head coach Jim Mora said he was staying in Westwood, it came down to Louisville's Charlie Strong to be the new head coach for the Longhorns...

The reported salary figure is 5 years at $25-million...

Strong's record at Louisville was 37-15 and he is set to accept the position if asked...

Strong, apparently, still wanted to speak with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich and his university president first.
“He will be the coach,” a well-place source told Kirk Bohls and Brian Davis at the Austin American-Statesman.

Strong seemed to have survived a four-hour interview with AD Steve Patterson...

Here's Brett McMurphy discussing briefly with Kenny Mayne
((HT: ESPN))

Jim Mora To Texas? It Looks Possible

Jim Mora

ESPN's Adam Schefter is throwing it out there.

Texas is interested in UCLA coach Jim Mora as a possible replacement for Mack Brown, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2014

According to ESPN's report, the two parties have had a conversation according to sources.

Mora is 18-8 during his tenure at UCLA and is fresh from coming off a Sun Bowl win over Virginia Tech.

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson has said he wants to have a coach in place by mid-January.

It seems Mora is the only one in the Longhorns cross hairs right now.

Mack Brown Does Resign From Texas: "It's Been A Wonderful Ride."

What a crazy, crazy week in Austin, Texas.

The rumors of Mack Brown resigning, Brown denying, Nick Saban taking the Texas head coaching job only to sign a very lucrative contract extension with Alabama then Brown staying at Texas.

What now?

Well one rumor turned out to be true, Mack Brown was resigning as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns.

Here's Mack Brown's statement:

"Sally and I were brought to Texas 16 years ago to pull together a football program that was divided. With a lot of passion, hard work and determination from the kids, coaches and staff, we did that. We built a strong football family, reached great heights and accomplished a lot, and for that, I thank everyone. It's been a wonderful ride. Now, the program is again being pulled in different directions, and I think the time is right for a change. I love The University of Texas, all of its supporters, the great fans and everyone that played and coached here. I can't thank DeLoss Dodds enough for bringing our family here, and Bill Powers and the administration for supporting us at a place where I have made lifelong friendships. It is the best coaching job and the premier football program in America. I sincerely want it to get back to the top and that's why I am stepping down after the bowl game. I hope with some new energy, we can get this thing rolling again."

Many Austin, Texas media outlets are reporting that Brown fought like hell to keep his job at Texas. 

A former Texas player who played for Mack Brown attributed the "instant gratification" crowd and the era of social media to Brown's resignation.

Thanks KVUE-TV, Austin, TX



Here's a look back at Mack Brown's career at Texas.

Thanks KXAN-TV, Austin TX

Mack Brown will coach the Alamo Bowl game December 30th against Oregon.

With one of the college football gems now open let the speculation begin as to who will coach Texas next.

You know the list will include Jim Harbaugh, Gus Malzahn, Jimbo Fisher, Art Briles and other big names.

Let the carousel spin.

Reports: Mack Brown Will Stay With Texas After All

What was that famous quote? "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated?"

That may very well be the them song of University of Texas head coach Mack Brown.

Early this week, it was widely reported (including here at OSG Sports) that Brown was going to be forced to resign his job. And the rumors were that Alabama head coach Nick Saban was being set-up to replace him.



According to a report from Bobby Burton of 247Sports.com, Brown will be on the Longhorns sideline for another year.

BREAKING: Source tells me that Mack Brown, following mtg w school prez and AD, will remain coach of the Longhorns.
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton247) December 14, 2013

Mind you this comes on the heels of an ESPN.com report Friday stating Brown was fighting to keep his job. Their report and others say Brown was ready to step down from the job, but after word leaked out at the beginning of the week, he got mad and changed his mind.

Read the ESPN.com story RIGHT HERE

Brown's contract in Austin runs through the year 2020 and pays him north of $5 million a year. The Longhorn faithful (guys with money) have gotten restless the past few seasons as the team has struggled to be competitive at the highest levels of the BCS and College Football. They seem to be of the impression that Texas A&M has passed them by after moving to the SEC and having lots of success.

Another factor cited by many is that Brown is but 2 wins away from passing Longhorns legend Darrell Royal's record for most wins. (Royal had 160, Brown has 158)

Either way, it appears Mack Brown will probably be back on the Texas sideline in 2014. However….another 8-4 or worse season and, well, we suspect this whole conversation will probably come up yet again….

Mack Brown Has Had Retirement Discussions

((HT: KXAN-TV))

According to the Austin Statesman newspaper, Mack Brown has had retirement discussions with the University of Texas.

Brian Davis has talked to those close to Longhorns circles and he wants to have one more discussion with university President Bill Powers to figure out once and for all whether or not he actually will step down...

Here's the early thoughts out of Austin...


Brown is under contract through 2020 and makes an estimated $5.4 million annually. If he is fired, he gets a bout half that...

AD Steve Patterson issued a statement saying: “We continue to discuss the future of Texas football. Mack Brown has not resigned. And, no decisions have been made.”

But everyone knows something is happening- fired or not- soon...

Reports: Mack Brown to Step Down at Texas or Did He? Updates (And More Updates)

((ht: orangebloods.com))

Update--Brown is quoted by texas.247.sports.com in an updated story. He tells them "I'm in Florida recruiting. If I had decided to step down, I sure wouldn't be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down."

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

Hmmm....can I get a "Not so Fast My Friends"?---That includes us...

Though we might add, much of the speculation on Brown's status hinges on a UT Trustees board meeting set for Thursday. The belief is the official word will come then.

Unless it's leaked out

-------------------------------------------------------------------

((Original Post))

So, it looks like it really wasn't hype. The speculation was true.

The ever impressive Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com reports that University of Texas head coach Mack Brown will resign from his job after 16 years of leading the Longhorns.

High-level sources tell http://t.co/Pb827xg41z Mack Brown will step down as coach at Texas after 16 years.
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrownOB) December 10, 2013

Chip says that Mack Brown will get every bit of the $2.75 million buyout written into his contract. And Brown, who will leave just 2 wins short of being Texas's all-time wins leader, will be honored at his teams season ending banquet next week.

Read the entire story from Orangebloods RIGHT HERE

There had been numerous rumors this season and last that Brown's days were numbered. The Longhorns, arguably the nation's richest, most well supported program had been struggling since really 2005, when they lost the National Championship game to USC.

Speculation has been rampant most of the season the Longhorns were trying to woo Alabama coach Nick Saban. Saban, through channels has denied and in fact laughed off that speculation.

But a story surfaced last week claiming Saban has had a deal in place all along this season. And that he was just waiting for the right time to announce it.

Stay tuned, we should find out in the next few days if that's the trick new athletic director Steve Patterson has up his sleeve.

PM UPDATE: The Orangebloods story has Brown stepping down after the Alamo Bowl...

Naturally, Brown's lawyer has told the Associated Press that it isn't happening...

ICYMI: Texas Handles Texas Tech on Thanksgiving Night

Somehow, someway, the Texas Longhorns are trying to salvage what many outside the program consider a bad season.

But Thursday night's 41-16 win versus Texas Tech puts the Longhorns at 8-3, 7-1 in the Big 12 this season. And if Oklahoma State loses to Oklahoma, the Longhorns will win the Big 12.

Texas ran for 282 yards and QB Case McCoy threw for 2 TD's, which more than offset the Red Raiders who shot themselves in their own feet by collecting 11 penalties on the night.

For Tech, it was their 5th straight loss after starting the season 7-0.

FOX Sports provides the highlights:

So, Does Mack Brown Keep His Job Now...??? And What About Mark Richt...???

((HT: Longhorn Network))

The HQ officially gives up...

We guess THIS was the team that everyone was looking forward to seeing this season, and didn't get to until now...

Texas bottled up Blake Bell and the Oklahoma offense, was up 23-10 at the half and won 36-20... it wasn't that close...
Here's your highlights...


Texas improves to 4-2 and 3-0 in the Big 12. They take a week off before returning to play at TCU on the 26th...

And, then, it looks like Aaron Murray put the Georgia Bulldog team on his back one too many weeks in a row as they lost at home to Missouri... even with an injured James Franklin not finishing the game at quarterback for the Tigers...
((HT: ESPN))


Now, let's just see how realistic people are in Austin and Athens...???
What say you...???

Paul Rhoads Is Pissed. Goes Off On Big 12 Officials

[HT: cyclones.com]

Paul Rhodes might be sending a check to the Big 12 Conference offices.

Last night Rhodes Iowa State Cyclones lost a heart breaker at home to Texas 31-30.

Texas quarterback Case McCoy lead the Longhorns on a 75 yard game winning drive with under three minutes but it wasn't without controversy.

Two pass interference penalties and two near fumbles on that drive doomed the Cyclones and led to this tirade by the Iowa State head coach.

Longhorns Davis Should Be Suspended

((HT: PlannedSickDays via Vine))

But he won't because there wasn't any kind of "targeting" attached to it...

This was on a touchdown by Joe Bergeron that gave Texas a 24-20 lead late in the third quarter in their dogfight in Ames with Iowa State...


So, what do you think...

"Cheap shot" is a good start...

Report: Texas AD DeLoss Dodds to Retire

((ht:mystatesman.com/bohls)

Hmmm...so perhaps reports the past couple of weeks that Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds retiring weren't so incorrect after all....

An explanation RIGHT HERE

According to a report by Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman, the Longhorns 76-year old AD will announce on Tuesday that he's retiring at the end of the season. (A polite way, we're guessing of asking him to leave)

And the countdown clock on Texas football coach Mack Brown has picked up speed.

Dodds, who has run the schools athletic department for 32-years hired Brown and has been in front of the schools exponential growth in the world of Sports.

Bohls says the University's president wants a replacement in place by December 1st. Interesting.

Read more from Bohls RIGHT HERE

This folks is the beginning of change for the once-mighty Longhorns. Over the past couple of seasons, despite the "Longhorn Network" funded by ESPN and lining the athletic department coffers, the football team has been an abject failure.

Really they haven't been relevant since the departure of Vince Young in 2005-06.

In that time, they've seen arch-rival Texas A&M not only leave the Big 12, but become wildly successful as a member of the SEC. They've seen their other arch-rival, Oklahoma continue a consistent  run of BCS appearances.

But the Longhorns, not so much.

There's already been talk they will and have reached out to Alabama coach Nick Saban, the biggest fish in all the land. We'd be mildly surprised if that happened.

The new AD, whomever it is, will have their hands full trying to quell a restless donor base not fond of being a less big fish in a really big pond. Combine the action in Austin with the Lane Kiffin firing at USC, just 5 weeks in and, well, we can't wait for The Coaching Carousel to begin this December...

((Note--Reports already are circulating this move is to get the process started on a coaching search. Texas appears to have become concerned USC will have a large advantage and early start before Carousel begins))

Here's Dodds, just two weeks ago, denying this would happen: (Thanks KXAN-TV)