While he succeeded in his primary task—cleaning up the program's image—he was perceived as a coach who could not win big games. He went 2–15–1 against Oklahoma's biggest rivals, Texas, Nebraska and Colorado, and never won more than five (out of seven) games in the Big Eight Conference.
Although he achieved his main objective—rehabilitating the program's reputation—he was viewed as a mentor who could not secure significant victories. He recorded 2–15–1 against Oklahoma's most prominent foes, Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado, and never secured more than five (out of seven) triumphs in the Big Eight Conference.