Duane Akina

Coach Strong is wasting no time cleaning house on the 40 acres, as Assistant HC/DB coach, Duane Akina is no longer employed at The University of Texas.Akina was interviewed tonight on Fox, and although he tried to sound upbeat, you could not deny his sadness. This is a man who loves this game, loves this university, loves his players, and is passionate about his job. He put on a brave face, but anyone could see how devastated he is.
I understand that bringing in a new coach after 15 years is tough, and Strong has every right to put together a staff which will take the Longhorns in a different direction, I get it. But, when your team has relatively the same coaching staff for 16 years, we begin to think of these guys as family, and you hate to see one family member sad. I am sure he is not the only one upset, but Akina has always worn his heart on his sleeve.
We will miss you, Duane, especially your passion and love for the Texas Longhorns.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

As promised, I did my research, and here is Coach Strong's new staff at Texas. Keep in mind, these are only stats and facts, I will save my critique after the first game of the 2014 season...just kiddin' I will ALWAYS give my thoughts and opinions ALWAYS. HOOK 'EM!!!! \m/

• Vance Bedford: was at Louisville last year with Strong. He is a graduate of The University of Texas, and will now become the Longhorn's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. At Louisville, under Strong, Bedford was key in the Cardinals ability to lead the FBS in total defense, rushing defense, sacks, fewest 1st downs allowed, and 3rd down conversion defense. Bedford spent 6 years with the Chicago Bears as a defensive backs coach. Under Bedford, the Cardinals ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense, passing efficiency defense, passing yards allowed, tackles for a loss, and red-zone defense. 
• Brian Jean-Mary: will serve as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas. He is an alum of Appalachian State and has been part of Strong's coaching staff since 2010. He has also coached at Georgia Tech and North Alabama.
• Shawn Watson: spent last two years at Louisville with Strong. Watson will assume the role as quarterbacks coach at Texas. His most recent achievement is working with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who some say is arguably the top prospect in the up coming NFL draft. Watson is credited for getting Louisville's offense where it is today. During the 2013 season, the Louisville Cardinals led the FBS in completion percentage, fewest passes intercepted, and fewest turnovers lost. Watson's offense also ranked in the top 3 in 3rd down conversions, time of possession, and passing efficiency. Watson is an Alum of Illinois and Southern Illinois. 
• Pat Moorer: has become the new strength and conditioning coach. Moorer is an alum of Florida. he has worked at South Carolina for two stints. He has 4 years experience at Louisville under Coach Strong, and has Certification of Master Strength and Conditioning.
• Joe Wickline: Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Wickline spent the last 9 years at Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy. Under Wickline, Oklahoma State averaged over 40 points per game in 4 of the last 6 seasons. Wickline coached with Strong at The University of Florida from 2002-2004. Has been touted as best offensive line coach in the Big 12. He is an alum of The University of Florida.
• Tommie Robinson: heads up position as runningbacks coach. Has worked at USC (where he coached last year), and the Arizona Cardinals. His resume also includes stints at The University of Miami, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, the Dallas Cowboys, TCU, and Utah State. He is an alum of Troy.
• Les Koenning: will serve as the wide receivers coach. He is an alum of The University of Texas. Has 34 years coaching experience, and his resume includes Mississippi, South Alabama, Texas A&M, Alabama, TCU, Houston, Duke, Rice, and Lousiana-Layfayette.
• Bruce Chambers: Chambers is in his 17th year coaching at The University of Texas, and remains the only coach retained from the Mack Brown era. His jobs will include recruiting and the tight-ends coach. He is an alum of North Texas.
• Chris Rumph: defensive line coach. Rumph spent last year at The University of Alabama under Nick Saban. Rumph is an alum of South Carolina. Has had great success not only at Clemson, but also at Alabama. Rumph's defenses have never been ranked outside the top 20 in total defense.
• Chris Vaughn: Secondary and special teams coordinator. Vaughn coached at Ole Miss in 2011, and has worked at Arkansas, Tulsa, Ole Miss, and Memphis. Has 16 years coaching experience. He is an alum of Ole Miss.

Cha-cha-cha Changes

Charlie Strong is cleaning house. As it stands, the only coach from the Mack Brown era who still has a job is tight ends coach Bruce Chambers....more info to come, as I am researching the coaching overhaul. \m/

Nick Saban

Is is just me, or did not playing in the National Championship make Saban go bananas? Who in their right mind would hire Lane Kiffin to do anything??????I cannot think of a more entitled, lazy, smug, who gives a c--p coach than Kiffin. Maybe that's just me...oh and most of the fans of USC.

Coach Strong

Coach Strong's first press conference as a Longhorn, which rumors held he would fail miserably. Those naysayers could not have been more wrong. I, for one, am elated he passed the first of what will be many tests for the new Texas head coach. He will undoubtably face much tougher scrutiny as his assistant coaches are named, and he begins recruiting in earnest. The interesting part of this story is how the current players and recruits acclimate. This post is just an Orangeblood thinking out loud, and there will be much research and much more to come. I have just one small issue... I am already tiring of the endless "Texas Strong" moniker. Just sayin' .

Will Charlie Strong give the Longhorns a much needed change?

Ok, my friends...I still think Mack Brown was thrown under the bus, and I still love this man. However, I am hating what this game is becoming. Anyone ever see The Last Boy Scout? If you have, you know what I'm saying. If you haven't...watch it. It was pseudo-announced today that Louisville coach, Charlie Strong will take the helm, now that the "Mack Brown era" was ground to a halt.The whole situation regarding Coach Brown leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but it is what it is, and we have to accept it.
Enter Charlie Strong. An Atlantic Athletic Conference coach who will now become the face of The University of Texas. Taking the helm of a football program such as Texas (thank you, Mack Brown), is no easy task. The University of Texas has not only the most money for their respective programs in the nation, but is also one of the most recognized college football teams anywhere. I truly believe people forget those facts. Charlie Strong is walking into Mordor. Now, as a member of the Atlantic Athletic Conference, Strong was impressive, and he did it without the money or recruiting Texas has...and I find that fact not only comforting, but also hopeful.
Strong definitely has the credentials. In his four years at Louisville:
2010: 7-5 overall, 3-4 in conference play, tied for 5th. 2011: 7-6 overall, 5-2 in conference play, tied for 1st. 2012: 11-2 overall, 5-2 in conference play, tied for 1st. 2013:12-1 overall, 7-1 in conferena play, tied for second. He is also 3-2 in bowl games, and has coached defensively for Florida, Ole Miss, and Notre Dame.
As per Sports Illustrated, Strong will have a five year contract worth $5 million annually. Charlie Strong is also a notable recruiter, something The University of Texas and Mack Brown built a reputation around.Time will tell if Strong can capitalize on what Mack Brown made of Texas. Statistically, it looks as though he can. However, I feel as though the "gentleman's game" is going the way of Mack Brown, and for that, I worry about the future of college football.

changes

We all knew it was coming, even if we did not want to believe...that The University of Texas football was going to go through some serious changes..Spring Cleaning, I guess one could say, and I don't think it's a bad decision, but now the rebuilding will begin in earnest, Most of the coaches coached at The University of Texas BECAUSE of Mack Brown, I understand the push for Art Briles because he has worked miracles at Baylor. But let's face it, the Bears played in a weakened Big 12, and apparently do not have the same successes out of conference that they have in conference play. Who knows? We will have to wait and see what changes (recruiting, etc.) will be made.Just don't expect the Longhorns to play in another championship game any time soon. I am a die-hard Longhorn, just looking at what's to come rationally, and not what we HOPE to have happen.