Tom Herman Fired as Head Coach of Texas Longhorns Football: A New Era Begins
On January 2, 2021, Tom Herman’s tenure as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team came to a surprising end, marking the conclusion of a tumultuous and underwhelming four-year stint. His firing signaled the start of a new chapter for one of college football’s most storied programs.
A Promising Start
When Herman was hired in November 2016, there was optimism surrounding his arrival in Austin. Coming off a successful stint at the University of Houston, where he led the Cougars to a New Year’s Six bowl game and a major win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl, Herman was seen as the coach who could return Texas to its former glory. The Longhorns were in desperate need of revitalization after years of mediocrity under former coaches Mack Brown and Charlie Strong.
In his first season, Herman led Texas to a 7-6 record, including an exhilarating win over Missouri in the Texas Bowl. Though the season was far from perfect, the team showed flashes of potential, and fans were hopeful that Herman’s system and leadership would soon yield results.
Building Expectations, Falling Short
The expectations grew significantly in 2018 when Texas finished with a 10-4 record and secured a victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Herman seemed to have the program on the right track, and it looked like Texas had finally found stability at the top. The Longhorns were competitive in the Big 12, and for the first time in years, they appeared poised to challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
However, the following seasons were marked by frustration. Despite recruiting well and having a talented roster, Herman’s Longhorns failed to meet the heightened expectations. The team’s performance was often inconsistent, highlighted by losses in critical games against rival teams like Oklahoma and Texas A&M. In 2020, Texas finished the regular season with a 7-3 record, which included a four-game winning streak to end the season, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship game or a major bowl appearance.
The Turning Point: Underachievement
One of the most glaring issues during Herman’s tenure was his inability to take the Longhorns to the next level. Texas continued to recruit top-tier talent, but the team’s performance on the field rarely matched the talent on the roster. The Longhorns were often plagued by missed opportunities in crucial games, leading to frustration among fans and boosters. Despite flashes of brilliance, there were too many instances where Texas underperformed, and the program fell short of its lofty goals.
Herman’s leadership style also came under scrutiny. Though his players generally seemed to respect him, there were whispers of discontent within the locker room and the broader athletic department. The Longhorns’ inability to consistently compete for Big 12 championships, combined with Herman’s inability to elevate the program to national relevance, ultimately led to his dismissal.
The Decision to Part Ways
By the time Herman was let go, the Texas football program was at a crossroads. Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte and university leadership recognized that a change was needed to restore the program to its elite status. Herman’s firing was met with mixed reactions; some felt that the coach deserved more time, while others believed a new direction was necessary for the Longhorns to reclaim their place among college football’s elite.
In the aftermath of Herman’s departure, Texas made an aggressive move to secure a high-profile replacement. The university hired Steve Sarkisian, the former offensive coordinator at Alabama, as the new head coach. Sarkisian’s track record of success, particularly in developing dynamic offenses, made him an attractive choice. His appointment signaled that Texas was ready to invest heavily in its football program’s future and its bid to return to national prominence.
What’s Next for Texas Football?
The firing of Tom Herman marked a crucial turning point in the Texas Longhorns’ football history. While Herman’s time in Austin was marked by moments of promise, it ultimately didn’t live up to the high expectations placed on him when he took the job. With the arrival of Steve Sarkisian, Longhorns fans are hopeful that the program will once again become a powerhouse in college football, a place where championship aspirations are the norm rather than the exception.
In the coming years, Texas will aim to reassert itself as a dominant force in the Big 12 and on the national stage. As the 2021 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sarkisian and how quickly he can transform the Longhorns into legitimate contenders. The path ahead is challenging, but with a new coaching staff and a talented roster, the Longhorns’ future looks bright, and the Herman era will be remembered as a stepping stone in the program’s ongoing quest for glory.
