Texas Football: 3 overreactions from stunning upset loss to TCU

3) Overreactions from Texas football’s loss to TCU: Beginning of the end for Tom Herman?

The question is always brought about when the Longhorns lose a game like they did to the Horned Frogs over the weekend. Will Herman become the next head coach that hits the chopping block, or will Texas athletic director Chris del Conte continue to give him another shot?

While it is way too early to tell what will happen with Herman this fall, we do know that there will be a lot of pressure on his shoulders for the remainder of the Big 12 slate. This is also a season that we have to take in perspective too since we are in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and it’s like a year we’ve never seen before.

A decent year for the Longhorns would likely be enough for Herman to keep his job heading into the 2021 offseason. Then the 2021 campaign (for better or worse) would be the one where Herman has it make-or-break run.

But the problem with that take is that senior star quarterback Sam Ehlinger is likely around for this fall and that’s it. He could technically return to campus for one more year since the NCAA is giving this year of eligibility back. But banking on Ehlinger using that rule to return for what would essentially be a free redshirt senior season isn’t a great bet.

Herman now owns a record of 27-16 during his four years on the Forty Acres. That’s not the worst record ever, but Texas fans definitely expected more out of him by now. He had a real shot to take control at the top of the Big 12 standings, alongside the Oklahoma State Cowboys. But this loss to TCU instead puts a much greater amount of pressure on his seat that is heating up.