Larry Brown Sports

University of Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds and football coach Major Applewhite released statements on Friday regarding an “inappropriate relationship” the coach had with a student at the Fiesta Bowl in 2009.

The statements were strategically released late on a Friday evening, which is when organizations leak or release news/stories they’re trying to bury.

Here is the statement from Dodds:

“Major Applewhite engaged in inappropriate, consensual behavior with an adult student one time during the 2009 Fiesta Bowl activities. After learning of his behavior later that month, I took immediate action to review the situation. We promptly initiated an inquiry with assistance from the university’s legal affairs office and other units outside of athletics. Major admitted his inappropriate conduct and he was disciplined. In determining appropriate discipline, we analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding the behavior and its relation to job responsibilities. Major fully accepted his discipline, including counseling. We have high standards for behavior and expect our staff and coaches to adhere to them in all aspects of their lives. I believe that the appropriate discipline was taken in this case.”

Applewhite played quarterback at the school from 1998-2001 and has been a coach in the program for seven years (over two different stints). He issued the following statement:

“Several years ago, I made a regretful decision resulting in behavior that was totally inappropriate. It was a one-time occurrence and was a personal matter. Shortly after it occurred, I discussed the situation with DeLoss Dodds. I was up front and took full responsibility for my actions. This is and was resolved four years ago with the university.

“Through counsel I have worked with my wife and the incident is behind us. I am regretful for my mistake and humbled by this experience. I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment it has caused my friends, family, and the University. I appreciate all of them. I’ve learned and grown from this and look forward to my work at Texas.”

Applewhite was an assistant head coach and running backs coach at the time of the incident. His discipline included counseling (as mentioned in Dodds’ statement), and his salary reportedly was frozen from Feb. 5, 2009-Jan. 1, 2010.

The school’s board of regents plans to meet Sunday to discuss the legal implications of inappropriate relationships between employees and students.

If you’re wondering why the story is coming out now if it took place in 2009, we have some ideas.

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Now we’re talking. About a month ago, Texas A&M created a video that welcomed itself to the SEC in extremely corny fashion. Students from Texas A&M were recorded as they cheered for the other schools in the SEC and recited their slogans and battle cries. We get what the school was trying to do, but it certainly wasn’t what we have come to expect from the fiercest athletic conference in college football.

It still may be too early for Texas A&M fans to hang banners like this one over the freeway, but the billboard you see above that SBNation passed along is certainly a start. The message is currently on display in Austin, Texas. While it is not insulting toward the other schools in the SEC, it certainly throws an obvious jab at the University of Texas, which is a Big 12 school. Take that, Longhorns. Aggie fans will be poisoning trees before you know it.

H/T Dr. Saturday

The University of Texas is popular enough to have its own TV network. It may be the strongest brand in collegiate athletics, boasting incredible amounts of fans and revenue from merchandise sales. Texas is so big in fact, that a Longhorns-themed sports bar was opened in Pakistan by an alumnus.

25-year-old Shanil Ali opened up “Longhorns Sports Bar” in Karachi, Pakistan six months ago. It sounds like a typical sports bar featuring walls painted orange and white, video games, and a menu of Tex-Mex and Pakistani food. The Express Tribune in Pakistan provides more details on the bar:

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Remember the blockbuster TV deal the University of Texas signed with ESPN? The Longhorn Network is set to go live in August after ESPN agreed to pay them around $300 million for the next 20 years. Well apparently Texas is in such high demand ESPN signed a sweetheart deal just to lock them up. So much so that they’ve conceded the ability to criticize the school in their contract.

The Austin American-Statesman via Ben Maller did some digging and discovered this alarming aspect of the contract:

“In the event that UT reasonably determines that any on-air talent does not reflect the quality and reputation desired by UT for the Network based on inappropriate statements made or actions taken by such talent and so notifies ESPN, ESPN will cause such talent to be promptly replaced (and will in any event no longer allow them on air following such notice).”

The first rule of ESPN and Texas’ broadcasting arrangement is you do not talk badly about the Longhorns. The second rule of ESPN and Texas’ broadcasting arrangement is you do not talk badly about the Longhorns. The third rule of ESPN and Texas’ broadcasting arrangement is you do not talk badly about the Longhorns.

Does anyone else see a problem here? Is it alarming to anyone else that one of the largest and most important sports networks in the country won’t be allowed to say anything controversial about one of the biggest football programs around? I understand objectivity is tough to achieve, but there’s a difference between having natural biases and outright cheerleading. I’m afraid we’re veering into dangerous ground here.

With Florida hiring Texas “coach in waiting” Will Muschamp as their new head coach, the Longhorns are now in the market for a new defensive coordinator. And guess what folks? The position is open to all applicants! Andy Staples passed along the link from the Texas job board of the job ad and it’s pretty darn comprehensive.

The biggest joke from the ad is that it says the hours per week is 40 (variable). Right, show me a coach who works only 40 hours per week and I’ll show you someone who is looking for a new job.

They’re looking for someone with a Bachelor’s Degree, and specifically someone who has “Experience coaching in the NFL. Ability to project the image of the University of Texas and the UT Men’s Athletics Department with dignity and grace regardless of circumstances and environments. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Professional demeanor.”

Other requirements include a coach with 12 years of experience coaching in D-I college and seven years experience in the NFL. Working conditions are described as “Use of manual dexterity. Climbing of stairs. Climbing of ladders. Lifting and moving.” If you haven’t seen one of these jobs posted before, you should check it out. It’s quite amusing, and my guess is the new coach won’t have the type of success Muschamp did — he was pretty darn awesome.

Take a good look at that shirt now because you probably won’t see it again. The Web site www.redoutshirt.com came up with that shirt to sell to Nebraska fans ahead of the big game with Texas this weekend. Nebraska is going with a Red Out in Lincoln to get their fans together to support the team.

The fans have been looking for revenge ever since last year’s Big 12 title game which Texas won on a last-second field goal. The :01 on the shirt refers to the play before the kick where Colt McCoy scrambled and threw an incompletion. Time appeared to have expired, but an extra second was added to the clock and Texas won the game.

As the Austin American-Statesman points out via College Football Talk, the Texas Longhorns trademark department got after the site for using the Longhorns logo on the shirt. The Horns logo is obviously a huge seller for the university, but my guess is the upside down logo is what really pissed them off. If you don’t believe me, just ask Vince Young what an upside down horns can do to a man.