Mack Brown defends Garrett Gilbert
Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown defended his decision to keep quarterback Garrett Gilbert in his club’s week 10 game against the Kansas State Wildcats, even after the youngster threw his fifth interception.
Brown said that he did not want to send a message that he was giving up on the Longhorns’ season and taking Gilbert out of the game would have crushed the confidence of a quarterback he believes has a tremendous amount of potential.
“We thought about taking Garrett out and if you do, you’ve crushed him and you’re sending a message that we’re giving up, which is a bad message to a potentially great young quarterback,” Brown told the Associated Press.
The Longhorns have had a terrible 2010 campaign, currently sitting at 4-5 with a 2-4 record against conference opponents. Texas’ poor play has put them at the bottom of the Big 12 South and nearly eliminated them from bowl contention.
Many are calling for Brown to start freshman Case McCoy, who is the brother of former Longhorn quarterback and current Cleveland Brown starter Colt. McCoy has only started one game this year, which was a week one win over the Rice Owls. Nonetheless, Brown
believes that Gilbert still gives the Longhorns the best chance to win.
"Garrett gives you the best chance to win out because of the experience he’s had. He’s shown the ability to win the game,” Brown stated. “Case hasn’t played...You’re in a little bit of a bind that you don’t want to send a message to your players that you’ve
quit and that it’s all about next year. That’s not fair to your seniors and in my estimation not fair to your team.”
The Longhorns will be back in action against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday 13 November.
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