The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Perseverance pays off for Haines
10.29.2014 | Football
Third-year former walk-on has emerged as a starting safety this season
By Jessica Stovall, Texas Media Relations
In his first two seasons at Texas, Dylan Haines had to learn a lot about patience.
The son of John Haines, a former Longhorn standout that went on to play in the NFL, Dylan walked on at Texas in 2012 following a standout career at Lago Vista High School. He redshirted as a freshman, adding weight to his 6-foot-1 frame and adjusting to the speed of the college game.
In 2013 he was a key member of the scout team, earning scout team player of the week honors prior to the Oklahoma game, but a chance to see playing time seemed like a longshot.
A change in coaching staffs, however, presented a clean slate for Haines and he impressed from the get-go, with coaches taking notice in the Orange-White Scrimmage last spring. Haines registered five tackles and an interception, a play he says helped develop confidence in his own game.
"It was my first interception - I wouldn't say under the lights - but with a decent-size crowd," said Haines. "It was pretty emotional, even though it was just the spring game, to go out there and then have all of my teammates celebrate with me. It was really special."
As a walk-on, Haines had more to prove than many of his fellow teammates. Maintaining positivity and drive throughout, he has navigated the challenging course of rising through the ranks, ultimately gaining a spot on the starting roster. In eight games, seven of them starts, Haines has 45 tackles which is tied for fourth on the team. He also has two interceptions, returning one 74 yards for a touchdown in a win over Iowa State two weeks ago.
"[It has] been really exciting," said Haines. "Going from walking on the team two years ago and then from spring to fall going from scout team to starter, it's been a quick transition, but it's been really fun. I feel like I've deserved it."
Haines knew that earning a spot would not be an easy task, but he saw opportunity under head coach Charlie Strong's new program. Each player, no matter their status on the team the season prior, had to prove their abilities before being given a starting role.
With a clear focus, Haines worked hard to stand out and to make his skills apparent to the coaches, enjoying his rise on the depth chart.
"With the new coaching staff, they made it clear when they got here that there were no superstars. There were no starters and backups," said Haines. "Everyone was going to be treated equally, and everyone was going to be given equal opportunities, so when I was given those opportunities, I came out and I showed that I can play at this level. That's just what I've been doing, just going out there and just playing to the best of my ability, and it's proving to be working."
Haines' father, a letterman from 1981-84 who went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts and the Minnesota Vikings, now has had the privilege of seeing both Haines and his older brother, Dakota (a senior wide receiver) wear the burnt orange.
"Dylan playing on that field, for me it's a special thing and a special bond," said John Haines. "Unfortunately, Dakota hurt his knee and hasn't been able to play this year, although I think he could've also really contributed. I'm proud of both of them for just being part of the whole experience."
John Haines has been a role model for Dylan throughout his life and is one of the biggest advocates of his son's success. Being a former player, he has naturally served in an influential role and has guided Dylan into creating his own path at Texas, giving advice along the way.
"He is a different kind of an athlete than I was, but I see some things in him that I saw in myself," said John, a defensive lineman in his playing career. "In that respect, as a parent, there's a lot of things that I've tried to teach him over the years. I think that's been really beneficial in the player that he has become."
Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and wide receivers coach Les Koenning both played for the Horns at the time that the elder Haines was on the team. The new coaching staff was able to see the potential Haines held to be great for Texas.
"The kid's a football player; it's that simple," said Bedford. "He understands the game. He understands his strengths, and he understands his weaknesses. That's what makes him a better football player."
Haines' dedication to the team and rise through the ranks has earned him a scholarship in the preseason on top of his starting role.
"Going into camp and being a starter in camp, working my way up to the number one spot on the depth chart, it was something that I had given some thought," Haines said of being awarded a scholarship. "I didn't worry about it because whether I was or wasn't given a scholarship, I was going to stay here for four years and go to school and play football. That's all that I cared about. Just to be given that was special because it was kind of like an award for all of the hard work I had put in."
Prior to Dylan receiving his scholarship, John Haines would help him cope with the hard work and determination it took to fight his way through the depth chart.
"I told him that it's a much harder path coming in as a walk-on," said John. "Nobody knows you, and you have to be patient, and hopefully you'll get that opportunity. I think he understood that. I'm so proud of him, and he deserves a lot of the credit because he has taken advice and done things his way that's translated into success."
