UTs Brown updates Kindle, injuries, birthdays

Coming off vacation, Mack Brown met with a statewide group of media members Monday afternoon. Texas coaches will leave this week for a retreat in South Texas before having the Big 12 conference meetings in Dallas next week.

Here's a few highlights from Brown…

Latest on Sergio Kindle

The Longhorns DE/LB Sergio Kindle was involved in an auto accident in Austin at about 2 a.m. Kindle's car crashed into an apartment building. No one was hurt. Kindle has not been charged.

It doesn't seem like Brown is thinking about a suspension for Kindle. In 2007, he was suspended for the first three games of the season after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in July.

Brown said he wanted to talk in person with Kindle in person before making a decision and that meeting hasn't been set. But Brown said Kindle has said the accident was caused after he lost control of his car while texting… although a law making texting while driving was discussed by the state legislature was discussed, nothing was passed.

Kindle has said alcohol wasn't involved and Brown said there hasn't been anything to prove otherwise. Brown said Kindle has been "honest with me in the past and expect him to be honest with him now."

Brown said emphasizing the dangers of texting while driving will be emphasized to players and UT staff members.

How much to play Shipley

All-purpose receiver Jordan Shipley wants to keep returning punts and kicks but Brown said Shipley will be on the field so much at receiver that Texas coaches will discuss whether to alternate or eliminate the number of kick returns for Shipley. "We don't want to over-use him," Brown said.

More playoff games at UT

Texas coach Mack Brown said the athletic department will be aggressive in seeking regular-season and playoff football games for Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium now that a new artificial turf has replaced grass. The THSCA All-Star football game will be the first on the new turf. Brown said the stadium will be available for multiple games on days and there's a possibility to play high school games on Friday night when Texas plays a game the following day.

Because of a highly maintained grass field, Texas hosted only one playoff game last season for nearby two-time defending Class 4A state champion Lake Travis and Killeen.

How much to pass

With the record-setting accuracy of returning quarterback Colt McCoy, Brown said you could pass every play. Brown said Texas had to put more emphasis to improve its running game because there were too many plays last year where Texas had no gain. "We'd like to average four yards every time we run," Brown said.

Can RB Whaley play a lot as freshman?

Heralded Madisonville running back Chris Whaley is playing in the THSCA all-star game and is coming off a strong performance in the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio.

Brown said freshman can work out with Longhorns players during the summer and show up much better prepared to play in August.

"Used to, most freshmen showed up out of shape. That's changed. I think Cedric Benson was starting midway through his freshman year. Jamaal Charles was playing as a freshman. And, I wasn't here, but I think Ricky Williams played as a freshman. I don't think you can rule out a freshma playing."

Read: Whaley is going to play early for the Longhorns.

Kicker update

Hunter Lawrence and Ryan Bailey will compete daily for the starting spot.

Injury update

RB Vondrell McGee … "I texted him on his birthday and told him we're eager to get started again, he texted back, "I can't wait" So I guess that means he's doing well.

DB Blake Gideon.. still had his arm in a sling from shoulder surgery a few weeks ago..

TE Blaine Irby… uncertain what he'll be able to do this year

Worst injury luck… "Eddie Jones was playing in our last game knowing he was going to have shoulder surgery. He broke his ankle on special teams. And he couldn't have shoulder surgery until his ankle healed and he was able to walk on crutches. Now that's bad luck."

Brown said he'll be getting more specific updates at the staff retreat…

On the hot summer

"I talked to the players about my going over to Bagdad and the heat soldiers had to work in with 45 pounds of equipment. Then the other day, I got texts from the players when it was 104 in Bagdad and 106 in Austin. They texted, "We should practice in Bagdad, it's cooler."

Brown and his people skills

Brown gets updates on people's birthdays and sends happy birthday texts. Today it was Longhorns players Dominique Jones and Britt Mitchell of Kilgore celebrating birthdays on the same day.