Back to the future — and then some: Q&A w/ Drew Mehringer

This article originally appeared in the 25th Anniversary Issue of Horns Illustrated magazine. To order a copy of the 25th Anniversary Football Preview Issue, which includes interviews, insights and more, click here.

MEHRINGER MAKING TEXAS A DESTINATION ONCE AGAIN

By Habeab Kurdi, Executive Managing Editor

TEXAS IS TAKING the recruiting trail by storm to build up its future, just like the Longhorns used to do. That familiar feeling of year-round anticipation and suspense built steadily over the past couple of years thanks to head coach Tom Herman and the super crew he brought in and entrusted with getting kids, near and far, to commit to calling the Forty Acres home.

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A huge part of the Horns’ newfound success is assistant coach Drew Mehringer, who carries the title of pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach, as well. Mehringer has been right behind Herman and by his side for going on 10 years now, dating back to the University of Houston with the tandem also working together previously at Ohio State, Iowa State and when Merhinger was a student assistant at Rice.

Mehringer has gained respect in the Longhorn locker room for his work with the wide receivers, with the exceptional 2018 class of Collin Johnson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Devin Duvernay all talking about how much Mehringer helped them become fully-developed, all-around receivers.

“I don’t think you’re a complete receiver if you don’t block, and neither does this coaching staff,” Johnson said of Mehringer and company’s ethos. “That’s something we focused on (last year) in camp and that’s something Coach Mehringer and Coach (Corby) Meekins pride themselves in. We definitely take that serious.”

The Texas native has also gained notoriety and accolades as a down-to-earth and approachable recruiter, making many want to take Texas back to the top by committing, signing, and eventually suiting up as a Texas Longhorn.
Humphrey said the mentality Mehringer helped instill stayed with him during the season and beyond as he headed to the NFL.

“Our biggest thing is to dominate on the perimeter,” Humphrey said. “We try to enforce that against anybody that we play.”

Veteran quarterback Sam Ehlinger credited the staff, from Herman on down, for instilling that mindset to dominate all facets of the game, at every position, including becoming that “complete receiver” Johnson talked about.

“Those guys out there understand that if we’re blocking well on the perimeter our offense is going to run well,” Ehlinger said. “I think that’s just how Coach Herman instills this culture, the physical mentality and I think it shows throughout every position.”

Horns Illustrated asked Mehringer about his process, philosophy and what it means to have the Horns back in the spotlight as they once were, and will be heading into the bright future.

HORNS ILLUSTRATED: What did being named the Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com mean to you, and to the Texas football program as a whole?

DREW MEHRINGER: It’s very much a staff honor. If you look at the kids we signed at receiver, really any position, there’s generally two of what you would call primary recruiters. For example, I can’t thank Tim Beck enough. As an offensive coordinator, he’s the best I’ve ever been around in terms of being a guy who supports you, is aggressive in recruiting, takes ownership in recruiting — he’s great. We have a bunch of great people in Derek Chang and Bryan Carrington, and our graphics team is absolutely unbelievable. There are a lot of really good people who make that stuff happen.

HI: On the heels of the Sugar Bowl win, what does it mean getting 10 early enrollees into the program this spring?

DM: Early enrollees are great, just because the transition for some players can be staggering at times. Having those guys here and being able to get 15 practices with the quarterback and the offensive line, and understanding the culture and the way that we do things, it’s huge for their development.

HI: With all the hard work that goes into recruiting basically year-round, what’s the most enjoyable part of the whole process for you?

DM: The most enjoyable part of recruiting is the relationship development you get with great kids. All five of the kids that we have that came in this last class as receivers were great kids, and you get to meet some great families. Kennedy Lewis and his family are absolutely unbelievable people, … and all of the kids are really great, but you start to form lifelong relationships with them and you set the stage for the relationship you’ll have with them when they get here. Hopefully, if we do it right, those relationships will last long after Texas, as well.

HI: You’ve talked about Coach Herman alluding to OKG’s — our kind of guys — and how that is different for every assistant coach. What is an OKG for you, and how do you know when you’ve found one?

DM: We’re looking for guys who are competitors, who are team leaders, guys who set examples. I’ll just (mention) Jordan Whittington for example. He plays offense, defense, he’s the captain of the punt team, he’s the returner, he’s the kickoff returner, he’s the guy in the middle of the huddle getting everyone ready to go. That’s the epitome of a leader of a team, on top of the fact that he scored six touchdowns in the state championship game and was the offensive and defensive MVP. He’s more than that. He’s more than just a good player. He was a leader on that team, and a guy who inspired people to play better. He pushed their play up, not just because he was talented, but because of who he is as a person.

HI: What is your mentality and approach in going to talk to these young athletes, and what do you think makes them so comfortable with not only you, but the entire program?

DM: I think there’s a big difference between college football and high school football, and especially playing at a high level at a place like Texas. Coach Herman says we spell love t-i-m-e, and the more time we spend with them and getting to know them in their lives the better off we’re all going to be. I think the more authentic conversation and more authentic relationship development that you have, it gets those kids to buy in faster because they know you have their best interest at heart. Because of that, they’re willing to work harder, willing to give you everything they have earlier and faster, so development happens faster. They see the fruits of that labor as well, so you’ve got to spend a lot of time with them and you’ve got to care about them as people, not just as players.

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