This might be it for the Charlie Strong Era at Texas. A report from Sports Illustrated says that the Texas Longhorns are expected to fire Strong at season's end, which would end his tenure at Texas after only three seasons.
Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated's Campus Rush reports that high ranking Texas source reports Strong is "very close" to losing his job at season's end. That does leave open the possibility that Strong can still save his job, but it's not looking promising for the embattled coach.
Thamel reports it's not the culture or recruiting that's hurting Strong. In fact, Texas officials are pleased with Strong's job on the recruiting trail and with the work he's done to change the discipline and culture issues that stemmed from the final years of the Mack Brown era. But, in-game management, defensive and special teams issue have continued to cost Strong's Texas teams wins. That's been the case twice already this season, as a ranked Texas team lost on the road to Cal and Oklahoma State.
Strong has demoted his defensive coordinator, Vance Bedford, after the Longhorns' defense has looked porous throughout the season. Texas is allowing 38.2 points per game, T-104th in the country. Strong is a defensive coach by trade, and he hopes his decision to take over play-calling duties can save his job.
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Strong didn't take over a great situation at Texas, as the talent levels were lacking. However, he's posted a poor 13-16 record so far this year and with Oklahoma up next, the Longhorns could keep heading in the wrong direction.
If Strong is fired, there some candidates the Longhorns will go after. At the top of the list is Houston's Tom Herman, who remains the hottest name on the coaching carousel. Herman has plenty of ties to Texas, especially since he was a graduate assistant at the program. But Herman will have plenty of suitors and is in no rush to leave Houston.
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