New University of Texas head football coach Tom Herman is working quickly to put his stamp on the program. But not just on the field.
Last month, Herman announced the addition of new player lockers. These aren’t just any lockers, though. Instead of a typical name plate, players will see a 43-inch monitor that can play their own highlights. The stainless-steel design is constructed to limit the spread of bacteria and their doors will even glow in the dark. All at a whopping $10,500 per locker.
“We needed something modern, something sleek, something that conveyed the message that we’re the University of Texas,” Herman said in an interview during the Longhorns’ spring game.
The lockers also include a fan to dry inside the area where the helmet is placed. Finally, a color-changing Bevo logo will be found at the bottom to complete the new look. While some features might seem excessive, even players realize that flashy facilities can make a difference on the recruiting trail.
“At my high school, every male sports team shared a locker room in that one field house, and if I see that coming out of high school, I’m thinking, ‘Dang, that’s pretty sweet.’ That could be why they commit here,” said senior defensive tackle Poona Ford told FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman.
According to Feldman, Herman’s motivation to improve the Longhorn facilities was inspired by looking at upgrades at other programs, such as Texas A&M, Penn State and Oregon. Virtual reality rooms, arcades, and even waterfalls have been included in recent renovations at schools around the country. Herman, however, focused on the locker room doors when discussing the project with Longhorn Lockers.
“I said, ‘Make em glow.’ They told me, ‘Coach that technology doesn’t exist right now.’ I said, ‘Well, if you want our business you’ll figure it out,'” Herman told Feldman.
After time spent designing and engineering the doors, Herman’s idea has come to life.