Texas' Herman off to winning start with introductory press conference

On old adage in college sports is for new head coaches to "win the press conference."

That doesn't mean the new coach will guarantee on-field success, but as another saying goes, "you can only make one first impression."

Tom Herman made a good first impression at his introductory press Sunday as head coach of the Texas Longhorns, checking off a bunch of boxes of what a Texas head coach needs to say.

He even got help from Texas president Greg Fences, who said in the introduction of the press conference, "We got our man, and that man is the hottest coach in college football."

Here's where Herman succeeded:

Praise Texas high school head coaches

In Texas, football is religion.

If a coach is going to have success as the head of a program in the Lone Star state, he has to have a good rapport with high school coaches.

Herman made a concerted effort to prop up local high school coaches during his press conference.

"I've grown up with the high school football coaches in this great state. This is their program," Herman said. "We're the flagship of the best high school football playing state in America."

Herman also name dropped three different high school coaches, showing his knowledge of the state and his recruiting pipeline.

Former head coach Charlie Strong faced some backlash from certain high school coaches in the state during his tenure, while Herman seems to be starting on the right foot in that key area.

Praise former Texas greats

The Longhorns program is full of tradition and has a big ego that needs to be stroked.

One way to play on that is bring up history and achievements, and there's no better name to drop than one of the greatest Longhorn coaches, Mack Brown, who was in attendance.

"You took a chance on a young guy 17 years ago, who dreamed of being like you," Herman said in regards to Brown naming him a graduate assistant at Texas from 1999-2000.

Herman also sent out an open invitation to former Longhorns.

"I want to let all of the former players know the door is always open. They have built Texas football into what it is today."

Show a clear path for change

There's a reason why a coaching change was made, because expectations weren't met. A new coach can't say it will be the status quo, otherwise there was no need to fire the previous coach.

Herman wasted no time explaining his vision of how the program is to be run.

"I think the sales pitch is there is talent here," Herman said. "The blueprint and plan can only be screwed up by people and the decisions they make. You're going to be the most physically and mentally tough team on the field. I told (the players) this program is going to be hard. Winning is hard.

"The TLC needs to be earned It's not going to be camp Texas around here, I can tell you that."

Even taking indirect, or direct, shots at the previous coaching staff will get applause.

When asked about the pressure Strong continually mentioned facing when at Texas, Herman answered with a mic-drop statement:

"Pressure is self-doubt," Herman explained. "We're prepared for this job."

Know how to play the media

Texas is the lone university to have a cable network - owned by ESPN - dedicated entirely to programming about the school.

Longhorn athletics, especially football, is under a 24-hour, 365-day a year microscope where the media and public are always watching.

Being on the good side of the media and knowing how to play them is almost as important as coaching itself.

Other tidbits

Herman was asked about renewing the Texas A&M rivalry, but sidestepped it, saying, "I haven't had time to think about it. Ask me again in a couple weeks."

The California native still praised Strong and the players' passion for their former coach.

"A lot (of the players) were very close to Charlie and should've been," Herman said. "Heck of a man, heck of a football coach."

Herman met with the players before the press conference, where he outlined his expectations.