40 Acres Sports

I picked out my first football cleats at Rooster Andrews‘ store when I was a little kid. Most of my early Texas gear came from one of his stores. His name is one all Longhorn fans recognize. Andrews died today at the age of 84.

The former student manager was associated with the Texas football program for over 65 years, first as manager/water boy, then as placekicker, then sporting goods store owner, and eventually Longhorn legend. The five foot tall Andrews at one time owned four sporting goods stores in the Austin area, and was friends with U.S. presidents and Texas coaches from Clyde Littlefield to Dana X. Bible to Darrell Royal to Mack Brown. Truly a fixture in Texas Longhorn history, hopefully Rooster Andrews’ name will continue to live on.

R.I.P. Rooster Andrews 1923 – 2008.

Replacing The 2008 NFL Draft Early Entries. Vondrell McGee replaces Charles and Blaine Irby has to step up for Finley.

Sacrifice becoming a way of life for Damion James. I love the kid, glad we stole him from OU.

Bob Stoops sucks and is overrated, or maybe he’s just the new Lloyd Carr. At least an OU fan thinks so.

Mack Brown is recharged and renewed. Latest coaching hires show Texas head football coach has new sense of urgency.

Major Applewhite introduced as assistant head coach and running backs coach. Press conference notes and video.

CFN’s 2008 pre-preseason top 10 has Texas Tech at #10 and the Horns at #15. Ha. About right for us but Tech will be Tech again.

As has been rumored for days, former Longhorn quarterback [tag]Major Applewhite[/tag] is officially coming back to Texas as a assistant head coach and running backs coach. He replaces Ken Rucker on the staff, who moved into a position in the athletic department this week. There will be a press conference tomorrow morning at 10 am.

Some quotes from [tag]Mack Brown[/tag] from the official release:

“We’re really excited to have Major back,” Brown said. “He was a great player for us and we saw him growing into a terrific coach as a graduate assistant here for two years. He’s had a chance to go work at a few other places, gain some great experience and will be a tremendous addition to our staff. Having your coaches become head coaches and your ex-players join your current staff are two of the best feelings a head coach can have, so this is a very rewarding day for our staff.”

“We always knew when Major was playing that he was a student of the game and would be a terrific coach one day. He’s living up to that. Major’s an energetic, enthusiastic and intelligent young coach who has always been a tremendous leader. We think he can have a great impact on our guys, our program and in recruiting.”

And from Major…

“It’s exciting to be a Longhorn again,” Applewhite said. “The opportunity to come back to my alma mater, working with Coach Brown, Coach Davis and all the great coaches, many that I know and have worked with before, is special. Having the chance to be with all of them the last couple of days, to see their passion, to be a part of the expectations they’ve built and see how they’re all on the same page and heading in the same direction is really exciting to be a part of. It’s not just about being back in Austin, which is great because I love everything about this place, but the challenge Texas football presents, the familiarity I have with the program and Coach Brown’s philosophy that I believe so strongly in. That’s ultimately why this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

“I had the chance to play and start my coaching career here. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group that helped build the foundation of what Coach Brown has developed into the winningest program in the nation over the last 10 years. The back-to-back BCS wins, the National Championship and seven straight 10-win seasons make Texas a really special place to be right now.”

“Coach Brown’s program is built on great coaching, great players and championship football. To be able to come back and contribute to that and try to accomplish the goals that we have for ourselves now is a challenge that really excites me.”

Welcome back Major.

Muschamp’s fast track leads through Texas. Expectations for the 2008 defense are sky high.

Big 12 is second in CNNSI’s conference power rankings. Might be number one if it wasn’t for Iowa State’s suckage.