New Longhorns Offensive Coordinator
December 7, 2010
Many Longhorn fans got what they wanted on Monday when Greg Davis retired after 13 seasons as the University of Texas Offensive Coordinator.
Although Boise State’s Bryan Harsin and current UT running backs coach Major Applewhite are likely to be two candidates to replace Davis, for me the choice is obvious.
Dana Holgorsen from Oklahoma State.
Holgorsen’s ability to develop talent and tweak his offense makes him my No. 1 candidate.
While serving as Texas Tech’s inside receiver’s coach and co-offensive coordinator, Holgorsen helped Wes Welker and Michael Crabtree make it to the NFL.
Holgorsen joined the staff at Houston for the 2008 season, and under his watch Cougar quarterback Case Keenum reached the nation's top 10 in passing efficiency in 2008 and 2009. The Cougar offense also led the nation in total offense both years.
But what he did for OSU was remarkable.
Holgorsen joined a Cowboy team that lost Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant and was predicted to finish fourth or fifth in most preseason Big 12 predictions.
Holgorsen changed the system he ran at Tech to the talents of running back Kendall Hunter and the Cowboys were the surprise team in the Big 12.
Branden Weeden threw for more than 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns, Hunter rushed for more than 1,500 and Justin Blackmon won the AP’s Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year with 1,665 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns.
The offense was instrumental in leading the Cowboys to a three-way tie for first place in the Big 12 South and helping Oklahoma State break a 12-game losing streak to Texas.
Mack Brown wants Texas to build a stronger run game, but he can’t realistically expect the program to go back to the success they had running the ball when they don’t have a Heisman-caliber back like Ricky Williams.
Texas depends on in-state recruiting for most of their talent. In a state where the spread has taken over high school offenses, Brown can’t get away from these athletes and win.
It’s best to get a coordinator that can incorporate running backs like Malcolm Brown into an offense that has succeeded in the past.
Holgorsen has proven he can do this and he will be worth the time and price tag for UT.
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