Tom Herman, known for his meticulous approach to coaching, implemented a comprehensive program focusing on player well-being, discipline, and culture building during his tenures at Houston and Texas. A key element of his strategy was a strong emphasis on hydration and weight management, intertwined with a broader philosophy of instilling accountability and attention to detail.
The Hydration Obsession
Herman's focus on hydration wasn't merely a suggestion; it was a strict requirement. The story of P.J. Locke, a Texas defensive back, illustrates this point perfectly. Locke faced Herman's wrath for simply losing his water bottle. This seemingly minor infraction resulted in disciplinary action, including "air raids" (sprints) and cleaning duties. Herman's message was clear: neglecting hydration was a sign of defiance and a lack of commitment to the team.
This "fanatical" approach to hydration involved several components:
- Daily Urine Testing: Players underwent daily urine tests to monitor their hydration levels.
- Mandatory Weigh-Ins: Players were weighed before and after each practice to track water weight loss.
- Personalized Hydration Plans: Individual water and Gatorade requirements were tailored to each player's needs.
- Hydration Chart: A "Longhorn Football Hydration Chart" was prominently displayed, categorizing urine color to indicate hydration levels. Lighter colors signified "Championship Hydration," while darker colors resulted in being labeled a "bad guy."
Players caught without a water bottle faced immediate consequences, such as up-downs. Skipping weigh-ins also resulted in penalties. The intensity of this program stemmed from Herman's belief that muscle, being largely water, performs optimally when properly hydrated. He used the analogy of comparing raw steak to beef jerky, highlighting how dehydration makes muscles more susceptible to injury.
Weight Management and Performance
Herman also addressed weight management, particularly for his defensive linemen. He expressed his desire for his "fat guys" on the defensive line to lose weight, as some players were reportedly weighing between 350 and 360 pounds. This shift in philosophy contrasted with his predecessor's preference for larger linemen to clog the middle.
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Players who shed 3 percent or more of their body weight during practice were "red-flagged." Consecutive days of being flagged led to the "breakfast program," where staff members monitored and documented the player's breakfast consumption. This data, along with hydration levels, was used to calculate individual fluid needs.
The Science Behind the System
Herman's program was not just about discipline; it was also rooted in sports science. He expanded Texas' sports science programs, incorporating:
- Catapult GPS Monitors: These devices, worn during practice, tracked workload, speed, acceleration, and distance.
- Sleep Tracking Bands: The team experimented with sleep tracking to optimize player recovery.
- Sweat Studies: Collaborations with Gatorade to analyze sweat composition and hydration needs.
- Biomechanical Movement and Body Composition Scanners: These tools provided detailed insights into player movement and body composition.
Herman's implementation of these technologies mirrored similar initiatives by coaches like Chip Kelly and Urban Meyer, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making in player development and injury prevention.
Building a Culture of Accountability
For Herman, the emphasis on hydration and weight management was part of a larger effort to build a culture of accountability and trust. He believed that if players couldn't handle simple tasks like staying hydrated, they couldn't be trusted in critical game situations. As Herman himself stated, "Like I’m gonna put you in the game on fourth and 1 against Oklahoma? Come on!"
This philosophy extended beyond physical conditioning to encompass broader aspects of player conduct and commitment. Herman implemented a comprehensive culture-building program based on core values, pillars, and a clear plan for winning.
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His core values included honesty, respect for women, and abstinence from drugs, stealing, and weapons. Herman emphasized a "one-strike policy" regarding respect for women, underscoring the importance of character and ethical behavior.
The pillars of his program focused on:
- A 1-0 Mentality: A daily commitment to self-improvement.
- Competitive Focus: Maintaining focus and composure under pressure.
- Physical and Mental Toughness: Embracing the physicality of the game and pushing through adversity.
- Unit Pride: Fostering a sense of camaraderie and loyalty within the team.
Herman's plan to win encompassed playing great defense, winning the turnover battle, scoring and preventing touchdowns in the red zone, and excelling on special teams. He emphasized that every player, regardless of position, had a role to play in achieving these goals.
Herman's Coaching Journey
Thomas "Tom" Herman III, born in 1975, has had a notable career in college football. Before his time at Texas, Herman served as the head coach at Houston, where he led the Cougars to a Peach Bowl victory over Florida State. He also held assistant coaching positions at Ohio State, Iowa State, Rice, and Texas State, among others. After being let go by Texas, he had brief stints with the Chicago Bears and then as head coach for the Florida Atlantic Owls, before being fired in 2024.
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