I have been a Texas fan my whole life. I spent Saturdays watching their games for a long time. When Mack Brown was hired as head coach, I remember thinking, that it was an interesting decision. I never knew how many great memories that Mack and his teams would give me. I had a few questions early on in his career. I think a lot of Texas fans did. His success is unquestioned though. At least 10 wins a season for 9 years in a row is going to be tough to duplicate. Nobody knew when he was hired that he would be the next great Texas coach. Darrell Royal set the standard pretty high. Mack met that standard. Some of the best players in Texas football history were guys that played for Mack. The list is too numerous to mention. I was always impressed with the guys that weren't 5 star recruits that became great players under Mack. When Colt McCoy was named the starting qb his freshmen year, I thought, uh oh. Colt was a 2A high school player. They typically don't become the winningest qb's in the history of college football. I know this had a lot do with Coach putting his trust in Colt.
In 2009 I met a woman named Christa. I didn't know that she was going to turn my world upside down. In one of our first conversations in email, she said that she had met Mack Brown and Colt McCoy. I couldn't believe it. She said that were both nice and pleasant to deal with at the Fiesta Bowl, unlike some former coaches from Ohio State that wore sweater vests on game day. Christa found out I was a huge Texas fan and couldn't believe that I had never been to a game in Austin. That October, Christa and I went to Austin, had a great trip, and went to a game. I don't want to overhype it, but I was on the verge of tears leading up to game time. I couldn't believe that I was in Austin watching my favorite team being coached by my favorite coach. It was a dream come true to be sitting in the stands with the woman I love, watching Colt throw deep passes to Jordan Shipley. It was surreal.
In another surreal moment, a little later in that season Texas beat Nebraska on a last second Justin Tucker field goal in the Big 12 championship, to put them in the national championship game. A friend of ours, Gina Chappin, now Gina Lehe, worked for the Rose Bowl. Christa contacted Gina and she bought tickets to see Texas play Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The outcome didn't matter to me because the experience was one of the best of my life. Besides DKR, the best place to watch a game in the country is The Rose Bowl. Go if you get the chance. My heart broke for Colt and Coach that night. I still believe if Colt is healthy for all four quarters of that game, Texas would have won by two touchdowns. Sometimes, life isn't fair.
October 16th 2010, Christa became my wife. This was the greatest day of my life. Christa put together a beautiful weekend for our family and friends. We went through our ceremony and were going into the reception. We walked in and were being congratulated by our friends and my Dad came and got me. I was kind of annoyed, which i still feel bad about, he told me someone wanted to talk to me. I knew we had ordered a Texas Longhorns themed groom's cake. What I didn't know was there was going to be a helmet sitting behind the cake. I approached, and noticed writing on the Longhorns helmet. I saw it, and immediately, tears came to my eyes. It said, "Jarod and Christa, Hook Em, Mack Brown". I turned around and asked Christa how she did this and she turned and pointed at Gina, who was crying because I was crying. I went over and gave her a huge hug. In that moment, that helmet became my most treasured possession, and it still is. Both of my baby boys have had their newborn photos taken with that helmet. I believe that Mack has seen both of those photos.
This year, another Longhorns dream came true. In October, Christa and I took a trip to Dallas. A bucket list item, that I never thought would come true, was checked off of my list. We went to the Cotton Bowl to see the Texas/ou game (I never capitalize ou). I didn't think I would ever have the chance in my life to go see this game in person. The tickets are really hard to get. Thankfully, we know Gina. It was an incredible atmosphere, it was hot on that October day. Texas won. It was never in question. I loved every minute of it. I have that game on my dvr, and occasionally I turn it on just to remember. I had a feeling that it would be Mack's last one. I am proud that I got to see him win that one in person. I'm glad that he got to win it with the style of football he loved playing. Hard nosed defense, and a relentless running attack that wore out ou's defense by the time the fourth quarter came around. There's nothing like hearing Texas Fight being played after a big win over them. Thank you Coach for that memory.
Mack Brown has unknowingly played a huge role in my life. The most impressive thing I've ever heard him say was after the Champ game in 2006, he told those guys to not let this football game be the only thing that defines you. He told his guys he wanted them to go on and become great fathers, leaders, and citizens. That is why I love Mack Brown. He cares a lot about football, but he cares a lot more about life. I hope I get the chance to meet him one day and thank him. I would love to take to play a round of golf. It would be on me. I would never want that round to end. Thank you Coach for everything. Thank you for your class and dignity. Thank you for doing it the right way. Thank you for the years of great memories. Thank you for taking a small moment out of your life and telling my wife and I to Hook Em. We always will Coach.
