Houston Cougars: What Does Tom Herman’s Departure Mean?
By Louis Roesch
Tom Herman‘s departure from the Houston Cougars has been anything but unexpected.
Tom Herman‘s departure from the Houston Cougars has been anything but unexpected.
Since his arrival on Cullen Blvd, whispers had been heard as to how long would he be at the university as well as how long before money and a Power Five program would lure him away.
The answer came on Saturday barely hours after the firing of Charlie Strong became official.
It had been rumored that Strong would be fired if LSU did not sign Herman and that became reality on Saturday.
With 14 of his 20 years in coaching spent in the Lone Star State including two seasons as a graduate assistant during the Ricky Williams-era at the University of Texas, is it surprising that Herman would desire to return to the land of the Longhorns?
Is there any loyalty in college football anymore?
Here’s what he had to say at his introductory press conference:
"“The opportunity to come back to Texas is a dream come true for me and my family, and I can’t thank President Fenves and Mike Perrin enough for providing me with this incredible opportunity,” Herman said. “Longhorn football has been – and always will be – a national power, winning and playing for national championships with great pride and passion, supported by an unbelievable fan base.”"
The departure of Herman means just one thing, the Cougars, the football program is headed in the right direction.
The former Ohio State University offensive coordinator arrived in Houston and in one scintillating season, he vaulted the Houston Cougars to national prominence.
It’s not that Tony Levine was not a solid head coach, it’s just that the “savior” of Cougars’ football was standing on the Buckeyes’ sidelines looking for the right opportunity.
Arriving amid a fanfare of hype, no one expected the resurgence to happen this quickly.
Greg Ward, Jr., the Cougars’ field general, quickly assumed the mantle of Heisman-hopeful as many expected the quarterback magic Herman had wielded in “The Horseshoe.”
Herman’s quarterback-whispering skills were able translate quickly from bowels of the massive Ohio Stadium to the friendly confines of TDECU Stadium.
As a result, Ward and Co. had a magical season that ended appropriately with a New Year’s Day bowl game.
Herman followed last season with signing of five-star Houston high school recruit Ed Oliver and it paid dividends immediately in a season-opening steamrolling of third-ranked Oklahoma back Sep. 3.
This culminated with a 11-sack performance against Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals Nov. 17.
The nice thing for the Houston Cougars moving forward is that they have the facilities, the fan base, the boosters and a program that is on the precipice of prolonged prosperity.
All these intangibles mean there should be no shortage of big name prospects interested in UH.
Thank you Tom Herman for once again proving that money is more important than loyalty when it comes to an opportunity for a coach to move on.
Unfortunately, in college football, players get penalized if they want to leave.
Players are expected to buy in to the coaching staff’s plans or be labeled a malcontent.
Athletes are expected to be grateful for the opportunity they are given while coaches are held to a completely different standard.
Disappointing yet reality.
With or without Tom Herman, Houston Cougars football will go on.