No mandate made on school song after team meeting
AUSTIN — Though Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has informed coaches and student-athletes they are expected to stand for “The Eyes of Texas” during athletic events, football coach Tom Herman on Monday said an official mandate had not been issued.
“Nobody, from Chris Del Conte to myself, have mandated any of our players to do anything,” Herman said during a Monday afternoon press conference. “I think mandate is a very strong word. That’s never been a word used to us as coaches fromour administration, nor awordused as coaches to our players.”
Herman said Texas emerged “unified” after meeting to discuss, among other things, “The Eyes,” the debate over which has threatened to overshadow the season. Del Conte attended the meeting.
“There has been a ton of open, honest, mature conversation in regard to a lot of topics,” Herman said. “We’re a very divided country. And our locker roomis exactly the opposite. Our locker room respects and, in fact, admires guys who speak their mind. Everybody is listened to and there are no grudges held for anybody who feels a certainway about anything.
“I respect the hell out of our team and team leaders for fostering that environment of inclusiveness, as well as an understanding and true compassion for somebody else on that team and their differing views, should they have them.”
Most Texas football players this season have not remained standing on the field for the traditional post-game playing of the almamater. But an image of senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger performing “The Eyes” along with fans at the Cotton Bowl following a four-overtime loss to Oklahoma became a flashpoint in the debate over a song that has been performed at the university for 120 years.
Del Conte has told coaches he expects all Texas teams to “show appreciation for our university, fans, and supporters by standing together as a unified group for ‘The Eyes,’ whilewework through this issue.” But Herman did not indicatewhether playersplanned to, or were asked to, remain on the field for the song following Saturday’s game against Baylor atRoyalMemorial Stadium.
“Our coaches, not just in football but in every sport, and our administration are completely aligned,” Herman said. “We’ve been communicating all summer in terms of the expectations of what post-game should look like.
“His (Del Conte’s) wish is that they stand out there, not to sing the song, but to thank the fans. If that’s what our guys choose to do, then we would be very proud of them. Butwe’re also very sensitive to those that feel a different way.”
Hip injury takes out Whittington this time
Texas redshirt freshman wide receiver Jordan Whittington strained his hip flexor in what coach Tom Herman called a “freak” incident and will be out for severalweeks. This injury is not related to previous injuries that have limited the Cuero product to three games over the past two seasons.
“This ismore related to a hit he took either in the side or the back that strainedsomeof the hip flexor muscles that, as has been described to me, insert into the vertebrae somewhere near the lower back area,” Herman said . “So that is a non-surgical treatment. Rest for a couple weeks, let that strain heal and hopefully we get him back.”
Whittington showed what kind of factor he canbewhenhealthy in the Longhorns’ 53-45 four-overtime loss to Oklahoma. In that game he led UT in targets (12), receptions (10) and ranked second in receiving yards (65).
In six quarters , Whittington has recorded12 receptions for110yards and rushed once for 15 yards.
Texas might also be without graduate transfer receiver Brenden Schooler when it faces Baylor Saturday at Royal-Memorial Stadium. He is dealing with a “significant” contusion to his inner right thigh that has needed to be drained at least twice.
Schooler was among quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s top targets in Texas’ first two games, amassing nine receptions for 123 yards with two touchdowns. But he recorded only one reception for no gain in losses to TCU and Oklahoma.
The bye week also allowed several injured Longhorns to recover. Junior safety Caden Sterns (knee), junior defensive lineman Reese Leitao (knee) and sophomore defensive back Tyler Owens (hamstring) all returned topractice Sunday. Redshirt freshman tight end Brayden Liebrock (shoulder) is expected to practice Tuesday, as are senior safety Chris Brown (shoulder) and Schooler.
“Gave the guysWednesday off,” Herman said. “Gave them Saturday off. And then obviously today, Monday is their normal day off. So three out of the last five days have been off to recover, recuperate and heal.”