Mack Brown Encouraged Recruits to Look Around At Other Schools
The widespread exodus with the 2014 class might have something to do with encouragement to explore other programs from the former head coach.
Imagine being a teenage football recruit taking your official visit to the University of Texas. You're excited to finally get on campus and experience everything that Austin has to offer. You're an emotional mess, expected territory with your age, and all of your excitement about committing to Texas and your future is curb-stomped when Mack Brown announces his retirement.
That's what happened to Texas safety commit John Bonney, a Houston product who has wavered on his commitment ever since Mack Brown stepped down. The four-star safety has taken recent visits to Auburn and Baylor, and with two weeks left before the official signing day, it is very possible the Bonney ends up at another program, potentially one that is competing with Texas year after year for conference championships. So what happened with the Longhorn recruits during the awkward 'Awards Banquet Weekend' that made them start dropping like flies? Bonney shed some light on what he was told during his official visit:
I was at my official visit when Mack Brown resigned and he told us all to go look around. He said he'd even talk to other coaches for you and everything because he really just wanted the best for us as players...
http://www.statesman.com/feed/sports/mack-brown-encouraged-recruits-to-…
February 3rd, 2014 at 4:43 AM ^
It is, in fact, a good idea for kids to look at all their options.
I see zero problems with this type of thing. The only people I see complaining are "fans" who don't want to go through the turmoil of the recruiting process continuing when they thought they had a recruit locked up.
February 3rd, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
It kinda depends what he actually said to them. If he told them ''Yeah if I were you I would look elsewhere'' then that's a little ridiculous. If he said ''If you want to explore other options I'll help you look'' then okay. But we won't know.