Dave Campbell's College Podcast Network · Dave Campbell's Texas Football

Offseason Mailbag: Who is the Best Coach in Texas? Favorite Athletes of All Time? Which Texas CFB Coach Wins Survivor?

February 17, 2026·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

Willie Fritz has 10-win seasons at five different schools, but can Houston's NIL budget compete for a playoff spot?

This episode is an offseason mailbag where host Carter Yates and senior writer Mike Craven answer listener questions about Texas college football. Both hosts are longtime analysts covering the state's football landscape. The first question asks which Texas college football team will next make the College Football Playoff, excluding TCU, Texas, SMU, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. Craven selects North Texas, citing its DFW location for recruiting, strong resources within the American Athletic Conference, and the recent hire of head coach Neil Brown. Yates picks Houston, highlighting head coach Willie Fritz's proven turnaround ability and the commitment of five-star quarterback Keyshawn Henderson, but questions if Houston's NIL budget can compete. The second question debates the three best head coaches in Texas. Both independently name Steve Sarkisian of Texas, Willie Fritz of Houston, and Rhett Lashlee of SMU. They discuss Sarkisian's success at a blue-blood program, Fritz's record of winning at every level, and Lashlee's rapid achievements at SMU. Mike Elko of Texas A&M and Joey McGuire of Texas Tech are noted as strong tier-two candidates, with McGuire being considered underrated. The final, non-football question asks each host for their personal Mount Rushmore of favorite football players. Craven names former Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon as his first football hero. His other selections are Ricky Williams, the late Sean Taylor, and Patrick Mahomes. Yates, a Texas Longhorns fan, lists former UT quarterback Sam Ehlinger for his passionate play during a down period for the program. A surprising claim is that Houston was ranked as the least valuable Big 12 football program by The Athletic in July 2025, despite its on-field success. Craven argues that North Texas's built-in advantages make it a more likely perennial G6 playoff contender than Texas State or UTSA. The hosts also debate whether Sonny Dykes of TCU, who coached in a national championship, belongs among the state's elite coaches. The conversation reveals differing philosophies on coaching fits, with Craven suggesting Steve Sarkisian's personality aligns with Texas and Austin, while Mike Elko's demeanor suits Texas A&M. They acknowledge the unique challenge for Texas State with extensive travel in the expanded Pac-12. The discussion on Joey McGuire highlights how significant resources can sometimes lead to a coach being underrated for his actual coaching ability. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending insider knowledge with casual debate between two colleagues. The style is educational for fans wanting deeper program insights, with personal anecdotes woven into the football discussion. This episode is ideal for dedicated fans of Texas college football who enjoy program-building analysis and coaching evaluations. Listeners who prefer hard news or Xs and Os strategy might find the speculative, offseason format less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose offseason mailbag that mixes holiday banter with grounded Texas coaching talk.

Dave Campbell's College Football Podcast settles into an offseason mailbag, with Carter Yates and Mike Craven opening on Valentine's Day chatter before turning to college-football questions.

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Why you'd press play

You want a loose Texas college football mailbag that ends up in a real coach-ranking debate.

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