The B12 (XII) Forum, home of the 'Front Porch, y'all' at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

because those folks were the ones that kicked Mack out and don't want to admit they were wrong?

I watched UNC play a bit before MB showed up.  What I saw was horrific tackling technique.  I noted UNC also had a lot of injuries, and I wondered if the staff there lightened up practice to avoid injuries, and then the players were not used to being hit hard, or hitting, in real games.

That changed after MB got there, UNC started playing pretty hard nosed football, flying to the ball, and tackling appropriately instead of kind of arm waving as the RB streaks by.  Some could be scheme being in the wrong place of course, but I'd see UNC defenders either bounce off running backs or get carried 3-4-5-6 YACs consistently.

Of course, at one time it was Nick Chubb they were trying to slow, so that could be part of it.

Mack didn't suddenly become a bad coach at some point. He always knew football, and he was good at instructing it.
However, I'd think at a program like Texas, it's almost easier to build it up than it is to maintain it.

You can always figure, "Man, if we just had that one special kid. If we just had a little better practice. If S&C were a little different..." you'd make it over the mountain. Once you get there, you try to remember the intensity that got you there. You want to keep it going.

But we're all human. Sacrificing the sleep and the personal family moments starts to grate. You wonder if a little less would be OK. The human body can only handle so much, so standards start to slip. After a while, you're "burnt out". You let the magazines recruit for you. You let the position coaches pick your formations and plays. Players start arriving late for workouts, and just do what they feel like.

I have no doubt that, after resting and being away, Mack's ready to lead again. UNC can definitely take the next step with him.

I've played as a soccer goaltender quite a bit in my life. I've taught it to quite a few, as well.

One thing I teach is footwork. Some kids show up thinking the goalie doesn't have to run. I kill that notion quickly. A save is made with with feet first. Knowing where you're supposed to be, reading the play, nimbly getting to that spot, and being set and in proper position to receive the shot. Do it right, and everyone thinks, "The 'keeper was lucky. He shot the ball right at him!".

A leaping punch save is a beaten goaltender desperately attempting to stop a sure goal.

In the same way, a good defense understands the scheme. A good defender understands his role in it. He plays his own role and trusts his teammates to do theirs. The result should be the ball carrier having one option. The assigned defender then powers through a fundamentally sound tackle, with teammates arriving to help as permitting.

Of course, sometimes the offense wins the play. In today's football, one on one matchups are sought. In that case, a defender will need to react and play the ball carrier when the carrier has multiple options. Only then is leaving your feet appropriate.