Redshirt
10/5/2007, 11:10 AM
COMMENTARY: KIRK BOHLS
Stoops, Brown polar opposites
One demands accountability; other pats backs
Click-2-Listen
Friday, October 05, 2007
NORMAN, Okla. — Count up the national championships. Circle the number of All-Americans. Figure up the conference titles, the records, the number of interceptions Chris Simms threw or the touchdown passes that Texas' Roy Williams never caught in this rivalry. Take any measurement you like.
Any comparisons between the overall football programs at Oklahoma and Texas — of late — come down to one monumental difference.
Accountability.
Bob Stoops demands it.
Mack Brown requests it.
OU operates with more of a no-nonsense, no-excuse approach than Texas, and that philosophy starts at the top.
Both head coaches are recruiting the same living rooms, chasing the same blue-chippers, wooing the same moms. They're coaching the same top-level athletes, as evidenced by the 22 All-Americans and 32 NFL draft choices to come out of Norman during Stoops' tenure, and the 27 All-Americans and 33 NFL draft picks to come out of Austin since Brown's arrival at UT. They both have solid staffs, Greg Davis' latest brain lapses notwithstanding, and have sent nine assistants to college head coaching gigs.
They remain the two flagship programs in the Big 12. Stoops has won five games in this series, Mack has won four.
But the two head coaches bring vastly divergent philosophies to the table, and it seems to be a pivotal reason that OU has won four conference titles in Stoops' previous eight seasons, while Texas has won just one in Brown's nine. Stoops calls a spade a spade. Mack calls it an elongated tool for digging soil.
"It's just my nature. I'm pretty matter of fact," Stoops said before insisting he in no way compares himself to Mack. "I'm not much for calling things other than what it is."
Both teams are clear reflections of their head coaches in every sense. The Sooners come off as cocksure sorts, full of bluster and willing to back it up. Recent police blotters aside, the Longhorns have been viewed as goody-two-cleats who play hard and do not want to disappoint their coach or teammates, que sera sera.
"Our coaches are the greatest guys in the world," Longhorns senior center Dallas Griffin said. "We'd love to be a reflection of coach Brown. He's a father figure to a lot of the guys."
But even a father has to spank once in a while. It absolutely devastates Brown to be critical of a player, and Stoops said he prefers to criticize an area of the game rather than specific players.
After OU's shocking loss to Colorado last week, Stoops said his team was "not very smart," his receivers dropped four balls, and his cornerbacks didn't play very well.
Marcus Walker agreed. And he's one of those cornerbacks.
"We're 21, 22 years old," said Walker, a senior. "We've got to be accountable and own up to our mistakes. That's one of the main reasons 80 to 90 percent of the players come here."
Such accountability seeps through on the field, in postgame interviews, in the way the Sooners carry themselves. They take no prisoners. The Longhorns seem to be imprisoned by the fact they want to be nice guys and, consequently, may have become complacent and lost their edge. Texas' players and head coach never articulate a burning, gut-wrenching hatred of losing.
We're still waiting for a Longhorn to do his best Mike Hart impersonation this season, to stand up boldly and defiantly guarantee a win over OU. Worked for James Brown against Nebraska a while back. Senior linebacker Scott Derry, for example, is a fine, upstanding player who said the Texas leaders stood up at the team's Sunday meeting and addressed the rest. And who are those leaders?
"I don't want to mention names," Derry said.
Excuse me. Aren't leaders supposed to be public? When is someone going to step up and take charge of this team?
Derek Lokey adamantly defends his coach's approach and underscores the players' deep-seated respect for Brown.
"The thing you've got to understand about coach Brown is he takes care of the players so well," the Longhorns' defensive tackle said. "Instead of launching a tirade, he can whisper something to you, and it has the same affect. One little whisper opposed to someone who goes crazy and embarrasses a guy. But he's not soft, I guarantee you that. He's a tough ball coach, and he demands results.
"That's how he eats — by winning. He can't be soft and stay here 10 years."
But the very public perception persists of Mack clapping on the sideline. February's Coach has become Coach Clapper. Few would be offended if Brown raised his voice to admonish a player, not to embarrass him, but to correct him. Doing so wouldn't mean he cares about his players less. Football is a violent, contact sport best played by angry people. Darrell Royal used to say as much.
Stoops understands that better and exudes toughness.
Mack exudes class, an excellent attribute but not as relevant during those critical 60 minutes every Saturday.
Stoops' players would run through a brick wall for him. Mack's players have way too much respect for those who took the time and energy to construct the brick wall and, therefore, would look for an alternative route to the other side.
"Coach Stoops has always been one to call it like it is," OU defensive end Auston English said. "We don't sit around here saying, 'What if? What if? What if?' We always find being straightforward to be the best way."
As a result, Stoops' Sooners have won a national championship and played for two others. Mack's Longhorns have won one. Neither is very accustomed to losing, but there's even a difference there.
After losses, Stoops comes off as angry. Mack comes off as, well, confused.
Because he's ticked off, there is even a bit of fear of Stoops among his players.
"Sort of," OU linebacker Lewis Baker said. "But not a bad fear. He just has you on your toes."
Which is better than on your heels.
[email protected]; 445-3772
Find this article at:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/05/1005bohls.html
Stoops, Brown polar opposites
One demands accountability; other pats backs
Click-2-Listen
Friday, October 05, 2007
NORMAN, Okla. — Count up the national championships. Circle the number of All-Americans. Figure up the conference titles, the records, the number of interceptions Chris Simms threw or the touchdown passes that Texas' Roy Williams never caught in this rivalry. Take any measurement you like.
Any comparisons between the overall football programs at Oklahoma and Texas — of late — come down to one monumental difference.
Accountability.
Bob Stoops demands it.
Mack Brown requests it.
OU operates with more of a no-nonsense, no-excuse approach than Texas, and that philosophy starts at the top.
Both head coaches are recruiting the same living rooms, chasing the same blue-chippers, wooing the same moms. They're coaching the same top-level athletes, as evidenced by the 22 All-Americans and 32 NFL draft choices to come out of Norman during Stoops' tenure, and the 27 All-Americans and 33 NFL draft picks to come out of Austin since Brown's arrival at UT. They both have solid staffs, Greg Davis' latest brain lapses notwithstanding, and have sent nine assistants to college head coaching gigs.
They remain the two flagship programs in the Big 12. Stoops has won five games in this series, Mack has won four.
But the two head coaches bring vastly divergent philosophies to the table, and it seems to be a pivotal reason that OU has won four conference titles in Stoops' previous eight seasons, while Texas has won just one in Brown's nine. Stoops calls a spade a spade. Mack calls it an elongated tool for digging soil.
"It's just my nature. I'm pretty matter of fact," Stoops said before insisting he in no way compares himself to Mack. "I'm not much for calling things other than what it is."
Both teams are clear reflections of their head coaches in every sense. The Sooners come off as cocksure sorts, full of bluster and willing to back it up. Recent police blotters aside, the Longhorns have been viewed as goody-two-cleats who play hard and do not want to disappoint their coach or teammates, que sera sera.
"Our coaches are the greatest guys in the world," Longhorns senior center Dallas Griffin said. "We'd love to be a reflection of coach Brown. He's a father figure to a lot of the guys."
But even a father has to spank once in a while. It absolutely devastates Brown to be critical of a player, and Stoops said he prefers to criticize an area of the game rather than specific players.
After OU's shocking loss to Colorado last week, Stoops said his team was "not very smart," his receivers dropped four balls, and his cornerbacks didn't play very well.
Marcus Walker agreed. And he's one of those cornerbacks.
"We're 21, 22 years old," said Walker, a senior. "We've got to be accountable and own up to our mistakes. That's one of the main reasons 80 to 90 percent of the players come here."
Such accountability seeps through on the field, in postgame interviews, in the way the Sooners carry themselves. They take no prisoners. The Longhorns seem to be imprisoned by the fact they want to be nice guys and, consequently, may have become complacent and lost their edge. Texas' players and head coach never articulate a burning, gut-wrenching hatred of losing.
We're still waiting for a Longhorn to do his best Mike Hart impersonation this season, to stand up boldly and defiantly guarantee a win over OU. Worked for James Brown against Nebraska a while back. Senior linebacker Scott Derry, for example, is a fine, upstanding player who said the Texas leaders stood up at the team's Sunday meeting and addressed the rest. And who are those leaders?
"I don't want to mention names," Derry said.
Excuse me. Aren't leaders supposed to be public? When is someone going to step up and take charge of this team?
Derek Lokey adamantly defends his coach's approach and underscores the players' deep-seated respect for Brown.
"The thing you've got to understand about coach Brown is he takes care of the players so well," the Longhorns' defensive tackle said. "Instead of launching a tirade, he can whisper something to you, and it has the same affect. One little whisper opposed to someone who goes crazy and embarrasses a guy. But he's not soft, I guarantee you that. He's a tough ball coach, and he demands results.
"That's how he eats — by winning. He can't be soft and stay here 10 years."
But the very public perception persists of Mack clapping on the sideline. February's Coach has become Coach Clapper. Few would be offended if Brown raised his voice to admonish a player, not to embarrass him, but to correct him. Doing so wouldn't mean he cares about his players less. Football is a violent, contact sport best played by angry people. Darrell Royal used to say as much.
Stoops understands that better and exudes toughness.
Mack exudes class, an excellent attribute but not as relevant during those critical 60 minutes every Saturday.
Stoops' players would run through a brick wall for him. Mack's players have way too much respect for those who took the time and energy to construct the brick wall and, therefore, would look for an alternative route to the other side.
"Coach Stoops has always been one to call it like it is," OU defensive end Auston English said. "We don't sit around here saying, 'What if? What if? What if?' We always find being straightforward to be the best way."
As a result, Stoops' Sooners have won a national championship and played for two others. Mack's Longhorns have won one. Neither is very accustomed to losing, but there's even a difference there.
After losses, Stoops comes off as angry. Mack comes off as, well, confused.
Because he's ticked off, there is even a bit of fear of Stoops among his players.
"Sort of," OU linebacker Lewis Baker said. "But not a bad fear. He just has you on your toes."
Which is better than on your heels.
[email protected]; 445-3772
Find this article at:
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/longhorns/10/05/1005bohls.html