JENNY DIAL CREECH ON STRONG.
UT’s now-former coach will bounce back somewhere, and he didn’t exactly leave his successor a bare cupboard
After a far too awkward week in Austin, it’s finally done.
On Saturday morning, the University of Texas fired football coach Charlie Strong after a week that played out like a reality show.
Reports about his imminent firing, followed by discussion that officials would wait until after the TCU game to make it official, led to an emotional weekly news conference that left Strong earnestly campaigning to keep his job while his players — some in tears — stood by.
It was dramatic and left a lot of people split. Should he stay or should he go?
When the Longhorns lost 31-9 to the Horned Frogs on Friday to complete a 5-7 season, it was clear. He had to go.
Strong said it himself. Wins and losses matter.
He built something at Texas, but it didn’t start with wins.
The hot seat burns another
In college football, losses count too much. A couple will ruin your season. More than that, and the coach’s seat catches fire.
Strong was good for Texas. He brought discipline, leadership and recruits.
None of that was enough at a school in search of its first national championship since Vince Young and Mack Brown were at the helm. When you’re Texas — a team with its own ESPN network, a face of a Power Five conference, the flagship university in the Lone Star State — the standard is high. For winning.
It was higher than Strong could reach in three years. It would be hard for anyone to reach it in that amount of time.
Luckily for Strong’s replacement, Tom Herman, there’s a world of talent on the verge of a breakout with the Longhorns.
If all of Strong’s recruits stay, that is.
Remember, Strong and Texas had the No. 7-ranked recruiting class last February. A lot of the Longhorns’ best players this season were freshmen and sophomores.
Texas players took to social media Saturday morning to express their feelings and show support for Strong. It’s unclear if they will all stay at Texas or if some will transfer. A few will likely leave, but Herman will inherit a group of players who could produce a nine-win season in his first year in burnt orange.
Strong, who was well-liked at UT, will bounce back some- where. Remember, he was the Tom Herman of three years ago — a highly sought coach who had recruited well and won at Louisville.
Potential landing spots
There will be jobs available in the Big 12. Baylor is likely to (and should absolutely) clean house this offseason. Strong might not want to take over that embattled program, but his ability to promote discipline and character into a group of young men could help the Bears tremendously.
Kliff Kingsbury could be in trouble at Texas Tech. It isn’t the most attractive program, but the Red Raiders have had successful seasons. With the right coaching staff and recruits, there is potential in Lubbock.
Of course, UH will be open, but I don’t know that a trade will happen. It might make everything even more awkward than it was last week.
Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, whose team lost to Texas in September, and UCLA’s Jim Mora might also be on their way out.
And there are calls from a passionate group of Texas A&M fans to move on from Kevin Sumlin, although it’s not time for that just yet.
In addition, coaches will leave to take other posts, and their positions will become available.
Jobs will be plentiful, and Strong should be on the top of some lists. Or he can take a break, sit back, and collect on his $5 million-a-year contract (he has two years remaining).
We will see him coaching again. He’s not done, and that’s a good thing.
In his short tenure at Texas, Strong clearly impacted a large group of young men who will be better people for having played for him.
The end was messy, but the whole of his three years at Texas will be remembered for more.