Texas Isn't Ready to Fire Charlie Strong Yet
By Tully Corcoran
There’s nothing like this time of year, when the weather turns crisp, the leaves begin to fall, and rumors start coming out that Texas might fire Charlie Strong.
The Longhorns aren’t actually going to do it, according to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.
"Despite Texas‘ early struggles, coach Charlie Strong will not be fired during the season, a source told ESPN’s Brett McMurphy on Saturday. "
Most likely, somebody is getting fired, though.
"This year’s Oklahoma game is critical for Strong, but his future does not depend on the outcome, the source said. If the Longhorns continue to struggle, though, the most likely scenario is that the defensive staff would be sacrificed for Strong to return in 2017, the source said."
It was a mere two weeks ago that Texas was “back,” having upset Notre Dame in the season opener to climb from unranked to No. 11. Well, turns out Notre Dame isn’t very good, and losses by the Longhorns to Cal and Oklahoma State indicate the Longhorns aren’t either.
Strong is in the third year of a five-year contract that would pay him a $10 million buyout if he were fired after the season. He is 13-16 overall at UT, and 9-10 in Big 12 play.