Here is how we lost him.

[bobcatozzy]

https://www.burntorangenation.com/2021/ ... -longhorns

Look how quick the news got out.

[lutecat]

Moreover this demonstrates why I fear this isn't a good move for him. This isn't Sark's program. It's what the big boosters tell Sark is his program.

[GavinDonos]

The UT football budget was $190 million last year. At MSU it takes us 10 years to wrap up a $20 million dollar capital campaign. If you think the Head Coach has any sort of control of "the program" over there, you're dreaming! He is merely a hands-on manager within a massive cog. Just because Sark will get a lot of face time on the Longhorn Network, that doesn't mean he has any power beyond practices and on-field game day management.

Bottom line, we lost Choate because the richest football program in the country sent one of his best friends as a last-minute emissary (Pete K.) to snipe him as an emergency gap hire. No shame in that game. With how much he'll be making as LB coach at UT, he can more than afford a nice house in Austin while keeping his house in Bozeman and his hunting cabin in Idaho, all while buying a new fishing boat for each locale.

[ND0479]

Austin isn’t like the rest of Texas. Real estate has sky rocketed over the last 10 years!

[The Butcher]

Granted this seems almost petty, but what if a new coach tried hiring Bobby Hauck? I think the fan base and boosters would be less than over joyed.

[imacat]

Moreover this demonstrates why I fear this isn't a good move for him. This isn't Sark's program. It's what the big boosters tell Sark is his program.

Choate is a big boy who has been around the block more than once. He took the Texas job with eyes wide open.

[lutecat]

Moreover this demonstrates why I fear this isn't a good move for him. This isn't Sark's program. It's what the big boosters tell Sark is his program.

Choate is a big boy who has been around the block more than once. He took the Texas job with eyes wide open.

Didn't say he wasn't or didn't. Just that I fear this doesn't work out, because I love Choate and want to see him succeed.

[CelticCat]

Even getting fired from Texas after 2-3 years has increased his stock. Choate is using this to build his resume and even that scenario increases it. You know that if Texas kills it he’s gone in 2 years anyway.

[PortlandCat90]

On the Horn Network today they were evaluating Choate as the hire. These guys know Big 12 football and UT - several are former players. They discussed his prowess with the improving record, strong resume (Florida, UW, Boise, etc.), his ability to recruit, etc. Gave him pretty high praise at the start. Then discussed his name in a humorous manner. Also discussed that one of them had inside information that he was the first choice to replace Kwiatkowski at UW - these guys are usually spot on but it's obviously unconfirmed - and they did mention that the UT contract has not been finalized yet. Gulp! Finally it was a Stoopes discussion - how Sark learned a key lesson that the Texas Exes do not hire former Sooners who once flashed the "Horns Down" at Red River. Overall, very positive. We lost a good one here and hopefully the Committee will do the proper search!

[TomCat88]

That totally sucks. This is much better than when Kramer was fired, though. He was fired after spring ball as I recall, which is bad timing. This is happening in the normal cycle.

[onceacat]

That totally sucks. This is much better than when Kramer was fired, though. He was fired after spring ball as I recall, which is bad timing. This is happening in the normal cycle.

On the one hand, it sucks because Choate has done good work.

On the other hand, its good because 1) We aren't trying to fix any big problems 2) Our coach just got a big promotion & payday, so this is a killer stepping stone for someone trying to make a name for themselves and 3) the program is pretty stacked with talent. I don't think that Choate has recruited a lot of top level talent better than previous coaches, but the depth he has put together is phenomenal. 4) Coming off a SF appearance...we aren't NDSU or even JMU yet, but you could see the Cats getting there with a few more pieces in place.

I can't imagine a better situation to be in trying to hire a new HC & DC

[lutecat]

I didn't realize he was offered a job on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama too. I wonder what the position was.

[wbtfg]

I didn't realize he was offered a job on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama too. I wonder what the position was.

I’d guess replacing Jeff Banks as ST coach and possibly TE?

[IA_CAT]

Quite possibly the RB coach position...similar timing

https://247sports.com/Article/Alabama-R ... 159856605/

[rivercat]

I didn't realize he was offered a job on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama too. I wonder what the position was.

I interpreted what Colter said as meaning that Saban called on behalf of Sarkisian, the new HC at Texas that was Saban's OC. Maybe I'm wrong.

[bobcatozzy]

Talks about Jeff a few minutes in.

[GoldstoneCat]

An interesting thread given all the moving parts, but I think we lost choate once he got so deep into the boise process. Once someone has decided to leave a place, i imagine it's hard to un-ring that bell. He's not a guy that lets any grass grow under his feet anyway. I guess it's possible that if the right situation hadn't come along he'd have been here 1 more year, but the clock was clearly ticking. I'm very thankful to him for the job he did here, and am looking forward to seeing what direction we go next.

[lutecat]

5:40 is when it starts.

[Cu-Ag-Au]

As I recall, Sarkasian has a drinking problem which caused him to lose the SC job in 2015. I would think the Texas job would drive a normal person to drink. I think I hear the clock a tickin' on the mantle shelf. I hope he has beaten the alcohol demon, but this job just may be his undoing.

[The Butcher]

5:40 is when it starts.

He commented that Choate is probably over qualified, and I would agree with that statement. Crazy Texas has such deep pockets that they can pay a LB coach that kind of money.