Briles opened 5-1. Won the first game over Rice 48-14 with 2 and 3 star players. That was a remarkable success in a time when the UH football program was spiraling. It’s plain wrong to forget that Dave Maggard and Art Briles flat out saved the UH football program.
I’m excited for the future with Fritz, but last night was beyond disappointing. I would have stomached a loss if we had merely shown signs that some semblence of actual football was coming down the line. This was the worst debut since Nesbitt. Unlike that debut, I believe Willie does know what he’s doing.
Briles was 7-6, 3-8, and 6-6 in his first 3 years, it wasn’t until his 4th year that we went 10-4 his 4th year and then back to 8-5 his 5th and last year. He took us to 4 bowl games and lost all 4. We were happy with him in comparison to Dimmel. You also need to remember he coached with entirely different transfer rules, no portal and no NIL. In comparison, Levine was 5-7, 8-5, and 8-5 his 3 years as HC. Holgy was 4-8, 3-5, & 8-5 in his 1st 3 years.
To be fair, Willie has said he is aware he doesn’t have enough leash for a 5 year rebuild in multiple interviews. He knows he has to start winning soon.
After yesterday’s game I was wondering how long it would take for the first “Fire the head coach” thread to appear (thinly disguised as not about firing the coach).
I was prepared for UH to lose games (including UNLV). I wasn’t prepared for the team to look so unprepared for the Rebels running attack. We knew what they were bringing and couldn’t stop it.
I don’t think with UNLV it is about UH’s NIL vs UNLV’s NIL.
UNLV was a hard game to swallow. But, I believe HCWF is a good coach and will get us where we need to be (given time and understanding).
Unfortunately I think that may be sometimes correct. I just don’t see how you can invest your future in a diploma, earn money with it, and not root for your own _____ school. My high school in Arkansas doesn’t win squat. But it doesn’t mean I follow the schools that win state every year.
Rooting and spending money above tickets are two different things. Through the years I have been a season ticket holder many times, cougar pride member here and there and over the last 5 years or so I make 1 or 2 games and buy single tickets. I don’t have crazy money floating around to give to a university that I paid to get a service, that has a billions dollar reserve and is about to start paying players directly. They get my ticket money as they are entertainment. I don’t send the Texans a check to be in a special group. When I go to the movies I don’t send an extra check to Hollywood to support them. Times have changed.
I hate any comments about 0-11. So many people seem to think that’s what Briles started with. Briles took over a 5-7 team and went 7-6. A definite improvement but Dimel did have a 5 game improvement the year before. The team was on an upswing. Dimel deserved to be fired and Briles was a far better coach, but there’s no need to mythologize the turnaround
Most people didn’t want Briles to leave. That said, he was more sizzle than steak. He couldn’t beat anyone worth a crap but played exciting ball against fair to middlins. At that time most Coog fans were happy getting the publicity. He did create a national stir around the program.
As a young fan at that time, having dealt with 4 years of Helton and then dimel, it was amazing. It felt great. Sorry you did not enjoy it. I remember how awesome it felt to see a small 1 block section of the lower section of seats actually full of students. Hundreds of them!