AUSTIN — Who knew a four-word text response by Texas head football coach would become so popular and viral. "OK, cool! Hook Em" is the No. 1 quote in college football this year, according to ESPN.
Back on Nov. 11, Herman and his wife, Michelle, were mentioned in countless pointed tweets by Herman's former co-worker at Ohio State, Zach Smith.
Smith, who was fired by Ohio State State University head coach Urban Meyer back in July amid domestic violence allegations, broke his silence on Twitter calling out Herman and included pictures of a texting conversation between Smith and Tom Herman.
The first text, Smith concluded by saying, "I'm going to expose who you are...courtesy of Michelle." Herman replied with a kissy face emoji.
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Smith's next text ended with, "because, I'm ready to expose the [expletive] cowardly [expletive] you are!!!" To which Herman replied with the now legendary, "OK, cool. Hook Em!"
Less than a week later after a Longhorns' home game, Michelle was wearing a burnt orange T-shirt with that slogan printed on the front.
During the week leading up to the Big 12 Championship game between Texas and Oklahoma, Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger tweeted, "OK, Cool! Hook 'Em."
That was a response to OU quarterback Kyler Murray's "no comment" when he was asked if Murray respected Ehlinger's game.
Even on Interstate 35 en route to the Big 12 Championship Game, there was a digital sign with the words, "OK, Cool! Hook 'Em."
Also making the cut for ESPN's top quote of the season was Breckyn Hager's remarks off camera on Nov. 17. Hager was told that Kansas scored 40 points on Oklahoma. Hager glanced at the digital clock on the wall and said, "It's 11:12 p.m. and OU still sucks!"
Those remarks sparked a storm of their own, earning a Hager reprimand from the Big 12. That reprimand earned the Big 12 a call out of their own from former Sooners calling them too soft.