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Tuesday, November 25, 1997

Mackovic still not talking about his future

By CHIP BROWN AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas takes the field at No. 15 Texas A&M on Friday in what certainly is the last game for Longhorns seniors and reportedly the last for head coach John Mackovic.

Wrapping up his sixth year, Mackovic has been the subject of newspaper reports saying school regents have reached a consensus to fire or reassign him.

On Monday, Mackovic refused to answer questions about his future.

When asked if he had received any assurances that he would be back for a seventh year as coach of the Longhorns, he ended his news conference by walking out without answering.

Players are standing by their coach.

Junior running back Ricky Williams, the nation's leading rusher, has said he will jump to the NFL if Mackovic isn't back next year.

Senior quarterback James Brown said the program would be better if Mackovic stayed.

"I don't see how they could let him go," Brown said. "How could he be rumored for NFL jobs after last season and now be on his way out? Did he forget how to coach in one year? I think he's a good coach and that it would be a mistake to get rid of him."

Offensive tackle Jay Humphrey said Mackovic told players not to let the talk about his future distract them.

"He said for us not to get caught up in it, so we haven't," said Humphrey, a junior. "Everyone thinks that the players want him gone. But we don't. He's a great coach, and I hope he's back next year."

The Longhorns (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) will attempt to dampen the Aggies' (8-2, 5-2) season at Kyle Field on Friday. Kickoff is at 10 a.m. CST.

A&M already clinched the Big 12 South title and a berth in the league championship game against Nebraska in San Antonio on Dec. 6.

"They will want to go into the Big 12 championship game with a victory," said Texas linebacker Dwight Kirkpatrick. "And anytime they play Texas, they want to punch a hole in us."

The Longhorns say they expect A&M to seek revenge for a 51-15 Texas victory last year.

"We weren't trying to run up the score. We just had one of those games where everything went right," Kirkpatrick said. "But I'm sure they will be looking for payback."

Texas senior center Ryan Fiebiger said there will be no chance of the Longhorns being uninspired.

"I would rather go 1-10 and beat A&M than go 10-1 and lose to A&M," Fiebiger said. "I think a win could do a lot for our program in terms of recruiting, and it would mean I can have the bragging rights over A&M for the rest of my life, since it's my last game."

Texas, which leads the series 66-32-5, has won two straight games over the Aggies but has lost 10 of the last 13 meetings.

A&M is a nearly two-touchdown favorite in Friday's game.

"A&M knows we're not a double-digit underdog," Brown said. "They know it's going to be a game."Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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