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Tom Herman: Losing will not be acceptable for Texas Football

By James Caldwell

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman participates in the Cougar walk before playing against the Lamar Cardinals at TDECU Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman participates in the Cougar walk before playing against the Lamar Cardinals at TDECU Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images) /
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New Texas Football head coach Tom Herman made his debut at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday.

Tom Herman wasted no time dropping a buzzworthy line at the Big 12 presser that rang in the ears of Texas Longhorns fans:

Losing has become the custom in Austin the past seven years.

An entire class of Longhorns Football players came and went without playing a meaningful postseason game.

The last three seasons have produced seven-loss seasons.

The number of home games that the Longhorns lost over the past seven seasons averages to a staggering three losses per season.

It’s unacceptable.

That’s why Tom Herman was brought to Austin to turn around a program that floundered at the end of the Mack Brown Era and never could get off the ground during the Charlie Strong Era.

But, Tom Herman was also cautious about setting expectations too high.

Tom Herman Not Guaranteeing Anything

Coach Herman is still assessing his team.

Herman did not bring sophomore QB Shane Buechele to Big 12 Media Days, but we expect that Buechele will be the starting QB for the Longhorns.

There are also huge concerns with defensive line depth. Poona Ford cannot play every snap, even if Herman would love to see that happen.

So, Herman is tempering expectations.

Longhorns fans should have high expectations, though. After all, we are boldly predicting that Texas will win the Big 12 Conference this season.

So, how do you balance tempered expectations with high hopes for the Longhorns to get back to the top of the mountain in one season?

Read Your Keys to 2017 Texas Football

– Key #1 for Texas Football: Shane Buechele.

Shane Buechele gives Longhorn fans hope. Buechele looked like an upperclassman as a true freshman last season. Now with a full offseason program, guidance from QB whisperer Tom Herman, and chemistry with the likes of fellow sophomore WR Collin Johnson, Buechele is ready to lead the Horns in a new era.

– Key #2 for Texas Football: The Defense.

If you watched the Houston Cougars play defense the last two seasons under Todd Orlando, there were three unmistakable elements:

  • Relentless attack
  • Stud defenders
  • No fear of anyone.

2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson? 11 sacks. Oklahoma Sooners QB and Heisman finalist Baker Mayfield? Running for his life at NRG Stadium. Big-time Florida State RB Dalvin Cook? Nothing cooking in the Peach Bowl. (Excuse the pun.)

New Longhorns DC Todd Orlando will get Poona Ford, Malik Jefferson, the rest of the LBs, and an all-star cast of DBs flying to the ball and attacking people. This will be a new identity for Texas Football.

The problem for too long has been opposing teams not fearing the Longhorns defense. Opponents feared the crew that won the 2006 National Title over USC. They feared the group that nearly won the 2010 National Title after Colt McCoy went down.

The fear has slowly faded during this period of losing.

Now it’s time to bring back fear in the hearts of opponents who think twice before rushing up the middle, calling a seven-step QB drop, or sending WRs over the middle.

What is Tom Herman’s Strategy?

Tom Herman is tempering expectations because he’s realistic and pragmatic. He doesn’t want to raise expectations now in July at Big 12 Media Days. It’s just not the time.

It will lead to the same type of complacency from the Longhorns football team that led to seven disappointing seasons under Mack Brown and Charlie Strong.

More from Texas Football

Herman is keeping this Texas Football team hungry and motivated.

Just wait until this Longhorns team takes the field against Maryland in September.

The fire will be there.

A statement will be made.

Texas Football is in good hands under Tom Herman. It’s time to end the losing and start winning titles again.

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