New Texas coach Charlie Strong wants his team understand and respect the history of the Longhorns program. To get his point across, he’s taking some of the staples of the program away from players and making them “earn it.”
With preseason camp underway, according to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com, Strong has removed the famous Longhorns logo from the helmet of every player.
#Longhorns coach Charlie Strong took the logos off team helmets. Cedric Reed said guys will have to earn it #HookEm
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 4, 2014 It’s a strange sight to see the iconic white Texas helmet without its customary Longhorns decal, but if the players’ conduct on and off the field meet Strong’s high standards, the logos will return.
#Longhorns quarterbacks at training camp practice #HookEm pic.twitter.com/XOp6FUcyUJ
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 4, 2014 Notice the blank helmets? Yep, stickers are another thing Texas players will have to earn back. pic.twitter.com/IwX9aWL2KV
— Max Olson (@max_olson) August 4, 2014 #Longhorns training camp practice #HookEm pic.twitter.com/PeV5TqzLR9
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 4, 2014 During spring practice in March, Strong prohibited his players from throwing up the classic “hook ‘em horns” hand signal and he even had the Longhorn logo in the locker room roped off so it can’t be walked on.
The former Louisville coach has proven that he means business. In the past few weeks, a significant number of players have been suspended or kicked off the team due to violating team rules. Strong is trying to establish a culture.
He wants to make things clear that Texas players will be held to a higher standard under his leadership. Removing the logos from the helmets is just another way to get his point across.
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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