Texas Coach Tom Herman Defends Hiring Tim Beck As Offensive Coordinator


Texas coach Tom Herman addressed multiple topics in his Thursday press conference, including the hiring of former Ohio State assistant Tim Back as the Longhorns’ new offensive coordinator.


Tom Herman held his first on-the-job press conference Thursday, and to say he spoke confidently would be an understatement.

All the while, one topic in particular stuck in the Texas coach’s craw. Herman hired Ohio State co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck as his OC Wednesday, a move that came as a surprise to some. The Buckeyes lost to Clemson, 31-0, in the College Football Playoff, marking the first time Urban Meyer had ever been shut out in his head coaching career.

Herman, who was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator before leaving to take the Houston job in 2014, hit one crucial point hard after saying Beck was his first choice for the OC job at Texas.

“Really surprised (by the criticism),” Herman said. “It’s well-known Tim didn’t call plays at Ohio State. The negativity is misplaced.”

That job belonged to Ed Warriner, who likely will be demoted if reports are true that Meyer is hiring former Indiana coach Kevin Wilson as his new offensive coordinator. Beck had influence in the offensive game-planning, but he did not make decisions on play calls in-game.

Herman said Meyer gave Beck a ringing endorsement and that Beck will call plays during games, albeit with input from Herman.

Herman’s defense of Beck was just one moment during the press conference where he spoke pointedly about his other hires and the overall state of the program. He certainly isn’t short on self-assurance.

He called bringing in Stan Drayton as running backs coach a “home run hire.” Drayton and Beck are just a part of the “army” of support staff Herman hopes will match that of Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson, which are known to boast oversized staffs of assistant coaches and consultants.

Herman also didn’t hold much back about Texas’ facilities, saying the locker room, weight room and wall graphics need to be updated.

“Nothing that a multi-million dollar facelift can’t fix,” Herman said.

That comment fits Herman’s mentality – he never settles.

“As soon as you (finish painting) the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ve got to start all over again,” Herman said.

Herman is expecting a lot from the school, his assistants and the players to help him turn around a Texas program coming off three average seasons under former coach Charlie Strong. Seasons that weren’t deemed acceptable by the university and won’t be acceptable by Herman’s standards.

He’s confident the Longhorns can get it done.

“We’ve got work to do,” Herman said. “We changed the University of Houston in 23 short months. I have no doubt we’ll do the same here in very short time.”

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