Texas ready to make Strong coaching move

Texas reportedly will offer its head coaching job to Louisville’s Charlie Strong and he is expected to accept.

Texas has been looking to replace Mack Brown, who stepped down in December after 16 seasons with the Longhorns.

Strong is in his fourth year at Louisville and coming off his second consecutive double-digit victory season. He took over a program coming off three nonwinning seasons in a row and has gone 37-15.

Strong, 53, was a longtime defensive coordinator in the Southeastern Conference before getting a chance to be head coach. He took Louisville to a Bowl Championship Series game a year ago and finished 12-1 this year with start quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

Earlier Friday two other coaches Texas reportedly had interest in — Baylor’s Art Briles and UCLA’s Jim Mora — said publicly they were staying put.

South Carolina

Wide receiver Bruce Ellington picked football over basketball, giving up his final seasons in each sport to enter the NFL draft. Ellington, 5 feet 9, played point guard for the Gamecocks basketball team and was a receiver on the football squad the past three seasons. This past season, he led South Carolina with 49 catches for 775 yards and eight touchdowns.

Texas A&M

Left tackle Jake Matthews won the Bobby Bowden Award, presented for high performance on the field, in class and in the community. Matthews is the son of former NFL lineman Bruce Matthews.

California

Linebacker Khairi Fortt, who transferred from Penn State in 2012, declared for the NFL draft. Fortt had 50 tackles in his two seasons at Penn State, then 64 tackles this year.

Florida

Cornerback Marcus Roberson will leave school early to enter the NFL draft. Roberson joins defensive tackle Dominique Easley and cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy as Gators who will leave school early.