I had the pleasure of following both TJ Ford and Vince Young in high school their junior and senior years. That was a time in my life where I made sure to catch as many high school games as I could in both sports. The first high school football game I ever watched is when my Dad took me to the Astrodome to see Earl Campbell play in the state championship game, and I figured I'd never see another player as good as Earl. I saw a lot of dominating performances over the years, though. But Vince was the best high school player I ever saw. His improvement from his junior to his senior year was astounding. I assumed part of it was because of his time at the Steve McNair camp. I always wonder if McNair hadn't been murdered if he would have been able to be a mentor for Vince off the field as well as on. In any case, the Madison Marlins had never been anything on the high school scene before or after Vince. They went through a murderer's row in the playoffs, beating traditional powers Yates, Katy (a David v. Goliath matchup), a loaded Northshore (one of the best games I've ever seen at any level), Hightower, before losing to Westlake in one of those games that you just knew was going to the team that had the ball last. The Marlins couldn't put up a 4th and short stop, though.
In any case, I had mixed feelings about VY going to Texas, because although he was my favorite player I had serious doubts whether Mack and GDGD could use him effectively. I remember Ketchum coming to speak at a luncheon group, and when he told everyone he thought Chance Mock would be the starter I loudly proclaimed there was zero chance he would be able to hold off Vince.
I remember getting into proverbial text shouting matches on Hornfans and other sites at all the people conjecturing he'd be better at WR because of his struggles at the QB position, when I absolutely knew the reason he was struggling is because of the coaching staff. Watching dumbfounded as a group that would go on to be the highest scoring offense ever up to that point the next year, would be blanked by OU for the first Texas shut out in 20 years.
Turning everything around after Missouri, the season he had the next year as a redshirt junior, culminating in the greatest college football game of all time, and the historic 4th and 5, I knew I had reached my peak as a sports fan, and nothing would ever duplicate that. Love ya, Vince. Always will. My favorite player of all time, and no one will ever equal it.
I saw TJ Ford's Willowridge squads play about 30 games over the course of his junior and senior years. They were amazing his junior year, but they were Phi Slamma Jamma minus NC State at the end of the season, as seniors. 75-1. Two state championships. I figure I'll never see a high school team that good ever again. Just loaded. They played at such a fast tempo, and with TJ Ford leading the offense, they were incredibly exciting whether in the half court or in transition. Just a ridiculous squad.
As much of a difference maker as TJ was on the court, he was an even bigger difference maker off of it. Texas never again had someone on their roster quite like TJ Ford, who understood Coach Barnes and what made him tick. TJ could both be supportive of coach while also taking up for his teammates, in a way that didn't anger Coach further. But of course he made a huge difference on the court, too. The neck injuries he suffered were so scary for all of us. Not as much as it was for him, of course, but scary in that helpless way. I'm convinced if he hadn't had the spinal stenosis he could have been another Allen Iverson. He was so quick on the court, had such great leaping ability, and then his unbelievable vision and handle with the ball was otherworldly. Plus he was such an amazing leader.
I thought for sure during that run from 2002-2008 we had made it finally as a basketball program. I just figured that's the way it would go for the rest of my life until Barnes won his multiple championships and had the arena named after him. I remember the frustration in Houston watching Memphis have their way with us to prevent another Final Four berth. Never did I dream I'd still be waiting on a return to the Sweet Sixteen 14 years later.
In any case, I'm very grateful to Rick Barnes. He was the Anti Mack Brown for me in ways I needed at the time. I always say that Abe Lemons put modern UT basketball on the map, Bob Wetlich was a black hole, Tom Penders lifted the program to an exciting level, but Rick Barnes is the one who brought the program true legitimacy. Not to take anything away from all the coaches and players who came before, because there are many! But that run from 2002-2008 was a golden era for me. I remember for years Johnnie Moore and then LaSalle Thompson being the only Texas players in the NBA. Now there are oodles of them, including one of the best NBA players of all time.
I'm also grateful for Chris Beard. He handles all of this in the right way. He makes these things special in the way they should be. He's always saying the right things. I just know he's going to be an amazing success at Texas, because he gets all the little things, as well as being an outstanding basketball coach, and knowing how to attract and surround himself with people who are going to help him win at the highest level.
BTW, I know many of you have already read this, but it's such a great essay written by TJ Ford. I feel very fortunate to have him associated with UT. He continues to do groundbreaking work, one of the latest his association with the Clark Collective for NIL purposes.
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/tj-ford-i-cant-feel-my-body