Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong is surrounded by his players after the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas won 24-17. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Football coach Charlie Strong reportedly is out at the University of Texas.
Although an official announcement is not expected until Monday, multiple media outlets reported that the decision to dismiss Strong was made following shocking 24-21 overtime loss to Kansas on Saturday.
“It will happen for sure,” a high-ranking university source told the Austin-American Statesman, the first to report on the Strong’s impending firing. “The question is when.”
Strong is in his third season at Texas (5-6, 3-5 Big 12), which closes out the regular season Friday against TCU. Strong is expected to coach the Longhorns in the regular-season finale, according to the Statesman.
However, Texas athletic director Mike Perrin released a statement via Twitter in which he said there will be no decision on Strong’s status until after the regular season.
“There are a number of rumors out there about the status of Coach Strong. I’ve said it all along, we will evaluate the body of work after the regular season. We have a game to get ready for against TCU on Friday, and I hope our fans will come out and support our team. We’ll discuss where our team stands after that,” Perrin said.
No coach has presided over three straight losing seasons at Texas since 1936-38. Apparently, the last straw for Strong was losing at Kansas, which had dropped 19 consecutive Big 12 games prior to the upset.
Although Strong still has two years remaining on his contract, the newspaper — again citing the university source — reported that the coach was aware of his fate.
“He knows what is coming,” the newspaper said.
Strong was hired by Texas in January 2014 after compiling a 37-15 record in four seasons at Louisville (2010-13), including a stellar 23-3 mark over his final two years.
