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110 THIS IS TEXAS Texas’ NFL quarterback duo of Chris Simms and Vince Young UT’s back-to-back Thorpe Award winners, Michael Huff and Aaron Ross First-Team All-Conference Selections All-Americans Bowl Games NFL First-Round Draft Picks Conference Championships College Football Hall of Famers National Championships NFL Hall of Famers 353 128 48 41 27 18 4 3 Texas Football Tradition is... During his 2009 spring break, senior Colt McCoy took a mission trip to Peru for the second straight year. NBA star Carmelo Anthony attended the Texas-Colorado game in 2008. Heisman winner Ricky Williams with UT President Bill Powers Senior QB Colt McCoy with New York Yankees man- ager Joe Girardi prior to McCoy throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees-Texas Rangers game on Memorial Day 2009 (Above left) Junior Sam Acho speaks at a fundraiser for Living Hope Ministries prior to a mission trip to Nigeria in the summer of 2009. (Above right) Former Longhorn and current Pittsburgh Steeler Casey Hampton had his high school jersey retired in Galveston. Seniors Jordan Shipley and Adam Ulatoski help load a Thanksgiving donation to SafePlace, a shelter for domestic abuse. Senior Colt McCoy poses for an ESPN Heisman Trophy show feature.

THIS IS TEXAS - CBSSports.comgrfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tex/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/fb-09-mg... · THIS IS TEXAS Texas’ NFL ... • Texas averaged 98,046 fans per home game in

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110

THIS IS TEXAS

Texas’ NFL quarterback duo of Chris Simms and Vince Young

UT’s back-to-back Thorpe Award winners, Michael Huff and Aaron Ross

First-Team All-Conference Selections

All-Americans

Bowl Games

NFL First-Round Draft Picks

Conference Championships

College Football Hall of Famers

National Championships

NFL Hall of Famers

353128

48412718

43

Texas Football Tradition is...

During his 2009 spring break, senior Colt McCoy took a mission trip to Peru for the second straight year.

NBA star Carmelo Anthony attended the Texas-Colorado game in 2008.

Heisman winner Ricky Williams with UT President Bill Powers

Senior QB Colt McCoy with New York Yankees man-ager Joe Girardi prior to McCoy throwing out the first pitch at a Yankees-Texas Rangers game on Memorial Day 2009

(Above left) Junior Sam Acho speaks at a fundraiser for Living Hope Ministries prior to a mission trip to Nigeria in the summer of 2009. (Above right) Former Longhorn and current Pittsburgh Steeler Casey Hampton had his high school jersey retired in Galveston.

Seniors Jordan Shipley and Adam Ulatoski help load a Thanksgiving donation to SafePlace, a shelter for domestic abuse.

Senior Colt McCoy poses for an ESPN Heisman Trophy show feature.

110

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

the city of Austin, ‘Hook ‘em Horns.’ You supported me, and what more could you ask than to be accepted by all of the people and especially the kids? It makes me work harder, so I love ya’ll dearly, and I’ll bleed orange for the rest of my life.”

— Vince Young, UT Maxwell Award winner and current Tennessee Titans QB

“To The University of Texas,

Texas’ NFL quarterback duo of Chris Simms and Vince Young

ESPN analyst, Heisman winner and for-mer Michigan WR Desmond Howard vis-its with Aaron Ross at the 2007 Cingular ABC All-America Show

President Barack Obama visited the UT football team in 2008.

Senior DE Brian OrakpoSenior DE Brian Orakpo

“UT is the best in the nation, and if it weren’t, I don’t think we would have been able to have President Obama here. This place is unreal from that standpoint. I don’t think there’s a limit of what can happen here.”

— Quan Cosby, former UT and current Cincinnati Bengals WR

to go if you play football in this state because it has the best of every-thing. You get a lot of attention, it has great tradition and history and you have a chance to win championships.”

— Aaron Ross, UT Thorpe Award winner and current New York Giants DB

“Texas is THE place

Senior LB Roddrick Muckelroy greets patients of the Dell Children’s Medical Center

The University of Texas retired Vince Young’s No. 10 jersey in Sept. 2008

In 2008, DE Brian Orakpo became the second Longhorn to win the Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.

Quan Cosby

Chris Hall and Charlie Tanner

Roy Miller, Nic Redwine, Luke Tiemann and Adam UlatoskiSenior TE Mac McWhorter with his mother, Rebecca, sister, Katie and father, UT offensive line coach Mac McWhorter

2009 Fiesta Bowl Champions

Defensive tackles coach Mike Tolleson with NFL defensive tackles Roy Miller and Casey Hampton

Brian Orakpo and family

Mack Brown is the only active coach in NCAA

Division I-A who has led his team to nine-plus wins in each

of the last 13 years.

Mack Brown is the only active coach in NCAA

and university in a very rich-in-tradition state. Texas football – that is all you need to say and having spent time with the Dallas Cowboys as a coach, you certainly gain an appreciation for how important football is in this state and at this university.”

— Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints head coach

The Longhorns have posted 101 winning seasons in 116 years (87.1%) of football.

113

THIS IS TEXAS“It is a rich-in-tradition team

Duane Akina with NFL DBs Michael Griffin, Cedric Griffin and Michael Huff.

Mac McWhorter, Brian Davis and Mack Brown with Dallas Griffin after he won the Draddy Trophy, also known as the ‘academic Heisman.’

and university in a very rich-in-tradition state. Texas football – that is all you need to say and having spent time with the Dallas Cowboys as a coach, you certainly gain an appreciation for how important football is in this state and at this university.”

THIS IS TEXAS“It is a rich-in-tradition team

Cleveland Cavaliers teammates LeBron James and former Longhorn Daniel Gibson take in a game in Austin.

2005 football national player of the year Vince Young with 2007 basketball national player of the year Kevin Durant at a game in Austin

Heisman winners Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett at a dinner honoring the 10th anniversary of Williams’ trophy.

Senior QB Colt McCoy with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit in Austin

Former Longhorn and current Arizona Cardinals C Lyle Sendlein stopped by Texas’ Fiesta Bowl practices.

The Longhorns were well-represented at the 2009 U.S. Army All-America Game.

Former Longhorn and current Dallas Cowboys WR Roy Williams flashes hook ‘em after a TD.

ESPN College GameDay visited Austin prior to the 2008 Missouri game and was on hand for three Texas games last season.

Former C Dallas Griffin won the 2007 Draddy Trophy, also known as the “Academic Heisman.”

Former Longhorn and 2009 Pro Bowl selection Michael Griffin

Mack Brown directed a UT football program that generated nearly $73 million in revenue in 2008, tops in the nation.

113

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

Following the 2006 Rose Bowl, Vince Young appeared on ‘The Tonight Show,’ with Jay Leno and was accompanied by Selvin Young.

“Honestly,I don’t think there’s anything better in this world

than being an athlete at The University of Texas.”— Chris Simms, former UT and

current Denver Broncos QB

Longhorns legends James Street and Roosevelt Leaks

“FAN”tastic• Texassoldarecord82,500seasonticketsin2008.Thatis42,757

morethanUT’sall-timemarkpriortoMackBrown’sarrival.

• TheLonghornshaveledtheBig12inattendanceineightofMackBrown’s11seasonsatTexas.

• Texasaveraged98,046fansperhomegamein2008,whichrankedfifthnationally,andhaspostedthetopnineseasonattendanceaveragesinLonghornshistoryoverthepastnineyears.

• In11seasonsunderMackBrown,Texashasplayedinfrontitstop30homecrowdsinschoolhistory.

• More than one million fans attended UT games in 2008. In nine sea-sons under Mack Brown,Texashasbeenseenliveby10,012,521collegefootballfans.

• UThasplayedinfrontofaselloutcrowdinitslast53homegames.

113

Brian Orakpo with NFL Hall of Famers Howie Long and Ronnie Lott

Senior QB Colt McCoy with baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan

Quan Cosby and his wife, Stasia, with comedian Bill Cosby on draft day in 2009

Olympic gold medalist and former Longhorn Sanya Richards delivered an inspirational speech to the team in 2008.

Mack Brown with U.S. Airmen during his trip to visit troops in the Middle East and other parts of the world in May 2009.

Will Muschamp, Colt McCoy and Mack Brown with NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach.

“I have a great deal of respect for Coach Brown. Not just as a football coach, but for the kind of program he runs and the kind of character he tries to develop in each of the players.”

— Lynn Swann

Former Longhorns DT Casey Hampton has earned two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

114

Left (L-R): Award-winning musi-cian Willie Nelson, Darrell Royal, Mack Brown and championship golfer Ben Crenshaw.

115

THIS IS TEXAS

Seven-time Tour de France champion cyclist Lance Armstrong is a frequent visitor; here watching practice with his friend, actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

for having the opportunity to have played at The University of Texas. Of course to have it culminate into the highest honor that can be bestowed on an athlete is simply humbling. I don’t know if there are words that can describe it.”

— Johnnie Johnson, former Longhorns DB, NFL star and NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee

“I’m humbled, yet grateful

Soccer star Mia Hamm and L.A. Dodgers star Nomar Garciaparra visited practice with daughters Grace and Ava. The family makes its home in Austin.

114

NBA legend Karl Malone visited the Texas campus, here with Major Applewhite

In 2007, former Longhorns DB Johnnie Johnson became the 14th player and 17th Longhorn inducted to the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.

Quan Cosby scores the winning touchdown with 16 seconds left against Ohio State in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl.

Casey Hampton with President George Bush when the Pittsburgh Steelers visited the White House after winning the 2006 Super Bowl

Longhorns in the NFL continually come together to help the community by hosting camps and charity events

Senior OT Adam Ulatoski with his T-Ring for letter-men who have graduated. Ulatoski is taking classes toward a master’s in advertising.

CB Aaron Ross of the New York Giants is one of three Longhorns in the last two years to add a Super Bowl Champions ring to his Texas National Champions ring, along with Tony Hills and Limas Sweed of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter attended a Longhorns game in 2008.

Longhorn Heisman Trophy winners Ricky Williams (1998) and Earl Campbell (1977)

114

Film star Kevin Costner

115

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

Vince Young with actor Matthew McConaughey before a practice.

Famous faces are regular sites around Longhorn events.

Longhorns supporter and Dell Computers founder Michael Dell

NBA legend Michael Jordan with Sally Brown and Jean Bryant at the Rose Bowl

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith (left) with Duane Akina, Mack Brown and former Longhorn and current Chicago Bears Pro Bowl CB Nathan Vasher.

Both Brian Orakpo and Vince Young have been on the cover of EA Sports video games in the last two years.

Actress Lara Flynn Boyle

of what you have done. You have brought football back to where it belongs, at the top. In doing so, you have brought the whole university along with you.”

— Red McCombs in a recent speech to the Longhorn team

“You should be proud

Brothers DE Sam and LB Emmanuel Acho after the 2009 Fiesta Bowl

Actor/comedian Bill Murray on a saddle in Mack Brown’s office

Senior QB Colt McCoy was honored by the Texas senate in April.

A state of the art academics center is on schedule for completion in August 2009 as part of upgrades to the football facilities.

Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds and UT President Bill Powers

Former LB Braden Johnson (center) survived two surgeries to repair life threatening brain and skull injuries in 2008 and attended a practice just months later.

117

atmosphere was great. It really felt like home. I was around those guys basically 24-7. I was with them early in the morning working out, I was with them in the evening at 7-on-7, so those guys felt like my brothers, and the coaches felt like parents. I felt like I could talk to any coach about any problem I had.”

— Limas Sweed, former Texas and current

Pittsburgh Steelers WR

116

THIS IS TEXAS

Football Family

“The family

Senior DT Lamarr Houston with former UT and current Seattle Seahawks DE Cory Redding. Redding has helped Houston develop his technique in the offseason.

2006 Thorpe Award winner Aaron Ross presents his trophy to his mother, Cheryl Woods.

because they’ve heard about the family atmosphere there. A lot of guys I talk to in this locker room ask me about it because people have told them how much of a family we are at Texas. If you’re looking for somewhere to go where everybody is real close and looks out for each other AND you win football games, Texas is the place to go.”

— Quentin Jammer, UT All-American and current

San Diego Chargers cornerback

“People choose Texas

that Mack Brown and his staff say and do illustrates that the Texas football program is more than

just a team, it is a family. From the coaches and staff to the players

and their families, everything the Longhorns football program

endures is done with, as Coach Brown says, “One Heartbeat.”

As a result, over a Longhorn player’s four- or five-year career,

he will build relationships with teammates, coaches and staff

members that will last a lifetime.

Everything

Former UT and current San Diego Chargers CB Quentin Jammer (left) with current Longhorns CBs Chykie Brown and Deon Beasley

Former Texas and current NFL WRs Limas Sweed and Roy Williams. Like many former Longhorn teammates, Sweed cred-its Williams as a mentor.

Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter with former Longhorns and current NFL offensive linemen Justin Blalock (Falcons), Tony Hills (Steelers) and Kasey Studdard (Texans).

Sophomore Kheeston Randall with his family at check-in day.

NFL defensive ends Brian Robison (left) and Brian Orakpo (right) with coach Oscar Giles

117116

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

is a great way to describe the football program at Texas. Coach Brown is like a father figure to all of us and we can go to him with anything. The chemistry that grows between the players is unbelievable. Everybody jells together and no matter who you are, you’re treated as an equal. I think that kind of camaraderie and chemistry took us a long way.”

— Ahmard Hall, Marine, former UT fullback

and current Tennessee Titan

“You hear it a lot form kids,‘family atmosphere, family atmosphere,’ it’s one thing to talk it, it’s another to actually walk it. It is that here. When Mack says it’s a family environment and nobody’s going to be left behind, we really believe that. It was probably one thing that really swung Aaron to Texas.”

— Anthony Williams, father of sophomore CB Aaron Williams

is a great way to describe the football program at Texas.

“I think the word ‘family’

In returning to Oklahoma City to honor 2006 Thorpe Award winner Aaron Ross, 2005 winner Michael Huff surprised UT defensive backs coach Duane Akina by purchasing a copy of the trophy for his coach.

Mack and Sally Brown manage the UT football program with a caring and personal touch.

“I thought long and hard about how I could thank (coach Akina), and since this trophy means so much to him, I figured the best thing I could give the man who gave me so much was his own Thorpe trophy.”

— Michael Huff, 2005 Thorpe Award winner and current Oakland Raiders S

One of the team’s favorite activities is a spirited game of dominoes.

Former UT and current Kansas City Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson with senior LB Roddrick Muckelroy

Roy Williams with senior WR Jordan Shipley

Vince Young greets Colt McCoy at a game.

Former UT and current New England Patriots TE David Thomas visited Fiesta Bowl practices and current TE Blaine Irby.

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THIS IS TEXAS

Football Family

“I didn’t have any brothers growing up

and now all these guys are my brothers. We’re one big happy family and I looked forward to being around all of the guys every day.”

— Vince Young, UT Maxwell and O’Brien Award winner and current Tennessee Titans QB

“Another unique aspect of Texas’ Pro Day is that there is a family atmosphere that is almost unreal.”

— Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Former UT and current Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles with 1977 UT Heisman winner Earl Campbell

Every game, senior QB Colt McCoy wears the cross of his cousin, Grant, a Marine who passed away after returning from Iraq.

Former Longhorns and current NFL stars Cedric Griffin (left) and Aaron Ross (right) share a laugh with coaches Duane Akina and Bobby Kennedy at UT’s 2009 Pro Day.

WRs coach Bobby Kennedy hugs the mother of redshirt freshman D.J. Grant during check-in day.

Former UT and NFL veteran running backs Priest Holmes (left) and Ricky Williams

Former UT and current Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl OG Leonard Davis (center) with current OTs Adam Ulatoski and Kyle Hix

(Left) Sophomore CB Aaron Williams with UT Thorpe Award winner Michael Huff

Guys to come back and encourage other guys. We want to continue to have that, and I think as long as coach Brown’s here and as long as guys continue to come back, it’s going to go on forever.”

— Cedric Griffin, former UT and current Minnesota Vikings CB

“It’s like a brotherhood.

UT Thorpe winner and New York Giants CB Aaron Ross with junior CB Chykie Brown at the 2009 Spring Game

(Left) Sophomore CB Aaron Williams with UT Thorpe Award winner Michael Huff

come back, it’s going to go on forever.”

— Cedric Griffin, former UT and current Minnesota Vikings CB

Aaron Ross with junior Aaron Ross with junior CB Chykie Brown at the CB Chykie Brown at the 2009 Spring Game2009 Spring Game

Darrell Royal, Earl Campbell and Fred Akers at the unveiling of Campbell’s statue at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Defensive tackles coach Mike Tolleson with NFL Longhorns Roy Miller and Casey Hampton

Mack Brown joined Longhorns legends Earl Campbell, Darrell Royal and Ricky Williams at the 1998 Heisman Trophy ceremony.

and I learned about how my dad was here, I wanted to wear that jersey with that last name on the back and Texas on the front. To be able to wear your T-ring or your National Championship ring with your head high is something I have thought about my whole childhood, and it happened.”

— Lyle Sendlein, former Longhorn Cand current Arizona Cardinal

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LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

“Ever since I was a kid

“Everything about the program is based on family. A lot of places might say that, but that’s truly how it is here. We eat together, hang out togeth-er and you look at everyone like a brother. That also extends to all of the former players who come back. They always want to either catch up or get to know us and help us any way they can.”

— Senior OT Adam Ulatoski

“I didn’t have any brothers growing up

“I love the family atmosphere at UT. I spent all of my life on the west coast, but when I got to Texas, I loved everything about it, and it made my decision to come play here really easy.”

— Junior TE Blaine Irby

Lyle Sendlein with his parents following his December 2006 graduation. His father, Robin Sendlein, was a Longhorn linebacker from 1977-80.

“The best thing you can say about Coach Brown’s players is that they are good kids who have a good work ethic. The University of Texas is an environment where you would want your son to be.”

— Alonzo Highsmith, NFL veteran and Green Bay Packers scout

Derrick Johnson with UT legendary linebacker Tommy Nobis

Former UT All-America and current Pittsburgh Steelers OT Tony Hills returned to campus on Signing Day in 2008 for his brother, RB Jeremy Hills, with their mother, Mary Lemons.

“The family atmosphere, it lives, especially for four years when you’re here, so when you leave, you can’t just stay away. You have to come back and give the love that The University of Texas has given to you.”

— Derrick Johnson, former UT All-American

and current Kansas City Chiefs LB

Former Longhorn and current Washington Redskin Derrick Dockery visits his brother Cedric at practice.

Former Longhorn Brian Orakpo with coach Oscar Giles as Orakpo was announced the 2008 Lombardi Award winner

1998 Longhorns Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams with 2008 Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy

Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp with his family at a recent Harlem Globetrotters game in Austin.

Former Longhorn and current Oakland Raiders S Michael Huff cracks up the room as he pops in on a DBs meeting on a visit to campus.

THIS IS TEXAS

A former college standout at receiver, tight ends coach Bruce Chambers (right) spent 14 years as a high school coach before joining UT’s staff in 1998.

From its directors of operations to its strength and conditioning and coaching staff, the Longhorns football staff features a diverse combination of youth and experience. Each and every staffer has been involved in their area long enough to know the ins and outs of the profes-sion and is as knowledgeable as anyone in their field of expertise. The one thing that links them all together is they have a passion for student- athletes and are driven to produce the best foot-ball program in America.

“Not only is the UT coaching staff the best

at teaching you the game, but they are also a lot

of fun to be around. They love to joke around and

spend time with the guys. That makes working

harder in practice a lot easier.”

— Chris Simms,former UT and current Denver Broncos QB

“The coaching at Texas is the best. That is why players come here. They’re confident that we are going to get the best coaching in the country.”

— Kyle Shanahan, UT letterman, Houston Texans offensive coordinator, and son of

Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan

Former Longhorns defensive end Oscar Giles returned to coach that position at UT four seasons ago.

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis was named winner of the 2005 Broyles Award, honoring the nation’s top assistant coach.

Super Staff

Wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy (right) is in his 20th year as a college assistant.

Bruce Chambers has been coaching UT’s tight ends for the last seven seasons.

Major Applewhite returnedtoTexasafterserving as offensive coordinator at both AlabamaandRice.

Former Longhorns defensive end Oscar Giles returned to coach that position at UT four seasons ago.

Will Muschamp is in his second season as defensive coordinator and LBs coach.

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter is a 35-year coaching veteran who has experience as both a high school and collegiate head coach.

As the Associate Athletics Director for Football Operations, Cleve Bryant, a former player and coach, oversees all of the day-to-day operations of the Longhorns program.

“They just outplayed us,

Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter is a 35-year

Former UT star QB Major Applewhite is in his second season as running backs coach.

We have the greatest coaches. Coach Akina has sent so many DBs into the NFL, just like all of the other position coaches. As a player, you know you can come in here and learn so much more than you have in the past from such a great staff.”

— Michael Griffin, former UT safety and current Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler

“I love the staff at Texas,

outblocked us, outkicked us - running, passing, coaching, everything.”

— Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel in 2008

Defensive backs coach Duane Akina (left) produced back-to-back Thorpe Award winners in Michael Huff (2005) and Aaron Ross (2006).

away from home to the players and they help you on and off the field. Not only do they help you as players, but they help you as people.”

— Derrick Johnson, UT All-American and 2005 Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick

“The UT coaches are like fathers

Mike Tolleson is in his 36th season in coaching.

Mack Brown has a reputation for maintaining one of the finest staffs in the nation.

Jeff Madden is recognized as one of the premier strength and conditioning coaches in the country.

“It’s like a pipeline with Coach McWhorter. You come to Texas and you end up playing in the NFL. His work speaks for itself.”

— Justin Blalock, former UT and current Atlanta Falcons OG

122 123

THIS IS TEXAS

Super Staff

Ken Rucker begins his second season as Director of High School Relations and Player Development after three seasons as running backs coach. He was presented with the Admiral’s Trophy aboard the USS Ronald Reagan during the Holiday Bowl trip in December, honoring him as a source of constant inspiration to the team, who voted Rucker to receive the honor after prostate cancer surgery.

Wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy

what more can you ask than to have someone who’s actually been there, who has coached professional foot-ball and won national championships? At the end of the day, if you can play, and Coach Muschamp knows you can play, he’s going to help you. That is one of the big-gest things you can offer.”

— Former UT and current Atlanta Falcons LB Rashad Bobino

“If you want to play professionally,

Tight ends coach Bruce Chambers

“One thing you can say about the Texas coaching staff is that they know a lot about football. The great thing is that they are really particular about making sure that you do the little things right and with the right technique and form. We did all the little things right and it went a long way in our winning a lot of football games. We were fundamentally sound. I love watching Coach Brown’s defense and special teams. Special teams are something that is overlooked in college and he puts a lot of emphasis on it. It’s really fun to watch them blocking kicks and returning kicks for touchdowns.”

— Ricky Williams, 1998 UT Heisman Trophy winner

has coordinated successful defenses at both the college and NFL levels and is Texas’ head coach designate.

Will Muschamp

so great is there is a family atmo-sphere there. They are like fathers to all the guys — it’s like you have 12 ‘Dads’ on the team.”

— Cory Redding, former UT and current Seattle Seahawks DL

“What makes the UT coaches

Defensive ends coach Oscar Giles

Co-defensive coordinator Duane Akina

Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter (left) and defensive ends coach Oscar Giles (right)

122 123

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

has a reputation as one of the nation’s top offensive coordina-tors. In 11 seasons at Texas, he has led the Horns to 10 of the top 12 total offense seasons and nine of the top 10 passing seasons in school history.

Defensive backs coach Duane Akina

George Wynn is in his fifth season as assistant athletics director for football operations (here greeting Jerry Gray, former Longhorn and current Washington Redskins secondary coach).

Greg Davis

He has a track record to go behind that. He’s put a lot of guys in the NFL, and a lot of them have succeeded there. That speaks a lot to Coach Akina and how he teaches you and prepares you for different situations.”

— Tarell Brown, former Longhorn and current San Francisco 49er DB

“Coach Akina is the best DB coach in the country, by far.

defensive line coach in the country here in Tolly. If you come here, you can’t help but be good. So where else would you go?”

— Casey Hampton, former UT and current Pittsburgh Steelers Pro

Bowl DT and two-time Super Bowl Champion

“We’ve got the best

“The coaching staff is great. Coach Brown and his staff are there for us at all times, through coach-ing, through practice, through anything that we need - they are always there for us. I believe they are the best in the nation.”

— Senior QB Colt McCoy

Wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy

Mike Tolleson not only helped train many of the top defensive tackles in UT history, but he also has spearheaded a successful Longhorns special teams unit.

Will Muschamp and Duane Akina work on the sideline

THIS IS TEXAS“Our fans are great. Every game is packed. I’m always shocked to see how many people are there. It is amazing how much our fans support us.”

— Vince Young, UT Maxwell and O’Brien Award winner and current Tennessee Titans QB

gets less emotional. Every time you come out into that sea of orange, you get a rush that’s more exciting than anything you could imagine. Our fans are always there for us 100,000 strong. Even on the road you never have any trouble spotting the Texas section.”

— Senior DT Lamarr Houston

“The fans are awesome. They

are loud, they are fun, and they

support us. You couldn’t ask for

better fans. There is no feeling

like running through the smoke

into thousands of screaming

fans all wearing burnt orange.”

— Senior QB Colt McCoy

“It never

Awesome Fans

Senior QB Colt McCoy at Fiesta Bowl practice with Jordan Shelledy from Make-A-Wish Foundation

With renovations complete for the 2009 season, the Longhorns will play in front of some of the largest crowds in the nation, surpassing 100,000.

Texas has played in front of 53 consecutive home sellouts

LONGHORNS FOOTBALLSeven-time Tour de France winner and cycling legend Lance Armstrong is a fre-quent attendee of Texas football games.

98,621Record for fans in attendance at a Texas football game, which will be broken this year

43,500Fans in attendance at the Longhorns’ 2009 Spring Game

Success has gone hand-in-hand with crowd turnout at UT games. Through 116 sea-sons, Texas has responded with victories in 486 of 611 contests played in Austin. Texas has led its conference in attendance in 32 of the last 37 seasons and is a mainstay among the college football elite when it comes to fan appeal. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium welcomes more than 100,000 Longhorns fans for each game.

Texas’ annual Fan Appreciation Day attracts thousands of fans, many of whom line up for autographs hours before the start.

126

After an energizing introduction on

the nation’s largest video board,

Texas players charge onto Jamail

Field amidst a sea of smoke on

game day.

127

THIS IS TEXAS

Game DayExcitement

ESPN’s College GameDay has been broadcast live from Austin six times.

In honor of the Texas football legacy, a game day tradi-tion has each player touching the Longhorns (above, right) and the Freddie Steinmark Scoreboard (below) before they take the field at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

“Game day is off the charts. From us in the locker room dancing and listening

to our music, getting hyped for the game, then

we come in the tunnel and with the singing of

‘The Eyes of Texas,’ you can feel the momentum.

When they release the smoke, it’s game time, and

everybody’s ready.” — Limas Sweed, former UT and current Pittsburgh Steelers WR

“We were beaten badly and soundly by a very good Texas team. They were better prepared. They were at home in front of a monumental crowd in a near cathedral stadium. It was a great spectacle to be a part of.”

– Florida Atlantic head coach Howard Schnellenberger in 2008

“We were beaten badly and soundlyby a very good Texas team. They were better prepared. They were at home in front of a It was a great spectacle to be a part of.”

126

fun and exciting traditions, national television audiences and thrilling plays are all a part of a

Longhorn game day. Beginning with the team’s arrival and their stroll through the thousands

of fans awaiting their entrance to the dramatic smoke-filled entry to the field and the singing

of “Texas Fight” in the locker room after a victory, there is nothing quite like the excitement of

a UT football game.

“There’s great pageantry here in this sea of burnt orange as they play, ‘The Eyes of Texas.’”

— Chris Fowler, ESPN

“On game days at Texas, you get a fresh new sense of Texas pride throughout the stadium when they give the Hook ‘em Horns sign and sing ‘The Eyes of Texas.’ Coach Brown has established the true spirit of wearing the Burnt Orange and White together. The team, the faculty, the students, the alumni and the com-munity are united together as family — and that’s a strong force again in Austin.” — Tommy Nobis, 1965 Longhorns Outland

Trophy & Maxwell Award winner and NFL great

127

LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

Packed stadiums, rowdy fans,

is awesome, from pre-game when you get off the bus and walk through the fans as they cheer, to running through the smoke. I can remember the first time I came through Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium. It is a feeling that you have to be there to experience it. There are no words that can express it.” — Senior QB Colt McCoy

NFL

127

“Game day excitement

128

With a mixture of game day fun and festivities and a

number of lettermen reunion activities, Texas’ Spring Football

Jamboree has become an annual Austin extravaganza.

129

THIS IS TEXAS

Spring Game Attendance (since 1996) (Mack Brown Era: 1998-)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 3000 3500

21,000

16,000

21,000

31,000

34,50035,500

36,250

40,50041,200

42,500 43,000 43,500

“I love it. Every time I come back, it’s a great time, especially with a game like this with a better crowd than a lot of places have for a real game. It’s a great weekend. It’s a chance to see everybody again and it feels like home.”

— Justin Blalock, former UT and current Atlanta Falcons OG

Spring Jamboree

(Below) Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond and his wife, Diane, were honored at the 2009 game, which was dedicated to the nation’s military.

Casey Hampton was one of several NFL Longhorns who joined the set of the 2009 ESPNU spring broadcast.

Casey Hampton was one of several NFL

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and golf tournament bring together generations of Longhorns.

The annual lettermen’s reunion

“One of the first things I do after the season is put the Lettermen’s Golf Outing on my sched-ule. It is a great chance to catch up with all of my old Longhorn buddies and to get to know the guys on the current squad.”

— Dan Neil, former Longhorns All-American and Outland Trophy finalist and a former

starting guard for the Denver Broncos

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LONGHORNS FOOTBALL

“This event is everything that is special about being a Longhorn. You come back here and see players that you played with and players that you’ve seen play before and after your own time here. We talk about old stories and players that you haven’t seen in years. We catch up with everybody and see what everyone is up to. ”

— Roosevelt Leaks, former Longhorn fullback and NFF Hall of Famer

I think, as an alum and a letterman, one of the best things we do. It crosses all ages and time periods during the history of The University. It’s always great to catch up with people, some of whom I only see during this time. It’s great to stay in touch.”

— Lawrence Sampleton, former UT and NFL tight end

“This is always,