Even as Texas is (possibly) playing Saturday for both a Big 12 title and a berth in a BCS bowl, there are still question marks, rumors and speculation as to whether Mack Brown will return as head coach in 2014.
Nick Saban has infamously been connected to a potential opening for months. Just today, Jimbo Fisher‘s name has been tossed into the mix as well.
According to one prominent UT booster, however, there likely won’t be an opening for anyone to fill.
Speaking to Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News, billionaire Red McCombs was asked about Brown’s future in Austin. McCombs intimated that it will be Brown’s decision whether or not to continue coaching the Longhorns, and that he foresees the longtime UT coach being on the sidelines for a 17th season next year.
“I don’t know,” McCombs said. “But if I were betting, I’d say he’ll be back.”
If Texas can beat Baylor in Waco Saturday and Oklahoma State falls to Oklahoma the same day, the Longhorns will claim their first conference title since 2009. If that were to happen, it would seem nearly impossible for the university to make a change at head coach.
However, if Texas were to lose to Baylor, it would guarantee a fourth straight season of nine wins or less. At that point, new athletic director Steve Patterson -- and the real powerbrokers at the university -- would have a significant decision to make: can the man responsible for returning the football program to national prominence by winning 10-plus games nine straight seasons and playing for two BCS titles, or stick with the man who has failed to keep the Longhorns at that level the past four seasons.