What a difference a year makes for Herman, UH
Tom Herman noticed “a much different vibe” upon arrival for Wednesday’s Touchdown Club of Houston luncheon. A year ago, just months into his new job as University of Houston coach, Herman told the same group of supporters he wasn’t sure what to expect from the 2015 Cougars. There were unknowns, areas that would need to develop.
In the months to come, what developed was one of the greatest seasons in school history: a 13-1 record, American Athletic Conference title, win over Florida State in a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl and — at No. 8 — the highest final ranking in 35 years.
“News flash: It was a heck of a year,” Herman told many of the same supporters Wednesday at the JW Marriott.
Added Herman: “Last year you could smell the hope in the air. This year you can smell the accomplishment.”
Herman sees the change everywhere he goes. He shook hands and took photos with
well-wishers Wednesday. Alumni thanked him for “making UH nationally relevant again.”
He saw it firsthand in February when he served as the grand marshal of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo parade.
“Seeing proud Coogs puffing their chests out again walking through the city of Houston,” he said.
And he has seen it this offseason at the box office, where the athletic program already has set a record with more than 15,000 season tickets sold.
168,000 to draw on
Herman has a map for an even larger scale HTown Takeover, wanting to tap into the university’s 168,000 alumni living within 50 miles of campus.
“We have to tap into the alumni that haven’t yet come back and embraced their alma mater,” Herman said. “That’s still priority No. 1. To make sure all 168,000 of them are strong and active.”
During a question-andanswer session, Herman found a way to poke fun at schools that might want to infringe on what Herman refers to as “our town.”
“Back there in the red,” Herman said. “Red always trumps white. And purple … and maroon … and burnt orange.”
Herman called the Cougars’ magical run “the most rewarding experience” he has had in coaching. He told a story of standing on a stage inside the Georgia Dome, moments after the Cougars had “just beat the heck out of Florida State” 38-24 and seeing the faces of his players who bought into his vision. The secondmost gratifying moment, Herman said, was “reenergizing a program, university and college football in Houston.”
“I’m very proud of that,” he added.
Make no mistake, the Cougars have moved on, even though Herman admitted to not yet watching game film of season-opening opponent Oklahoma (although he didn’t say defensive coordinator Todd Orlando hasn’t). Yes, there will be one more time to celebrate when the Cougars get their championship rings in May.
Feeling the vibe
Otherwise, Herman told the crowd, it was that team that accomplished everything last season.
“This 2016 team hasn’t done anything yet,” he said. What’s on the horizon? Herman said demolition began this week on a $750,000 upgrade to the team locker room. An indoor practice facility is on the way, followed by a second phase that includes a $25 million to $30 million twostory facility on the west side of TDECU Stadium.
Herman said his staff received raises this offseason. And top recruits see UH as a destination.
“We’re going to win,” Herman said to thunderous applause.
A different vibe, indeed.