Texas has made the decision to fire head coach Charlie Strong, SI’s Pete Thamel has confirmed. Brian Davis and Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman first reported the decision.
Texas men’s athletic director Mike Perrin issued a statement Sunday, saying that the school will “evaluate the body of work after the regular season.”
A report on Saturday, before the Longhorns took on Kansas, said that the school is under “extreme pressure” to replace Strong with Houston’s Tom Herman. After a 24–21 overtime loss to the Jayhawks, who were 1–9 entering Saturday’s game, that pressure apparently increased.
The Longhorns are 5–6 in Strong’s third season. Asked whether he knew what Saturday’s loss meant for his future, Strong replied: “No, I don’t. No idea.”
Texas is preparing for its season finale on Friday at home against TCU.
Strong is in the third year of a five-year contract, but not even a $10 million buyout could be enough to save him. After a 6–7 debut season with a trip to the Texas Bowl, the Longhorns went 5–7 last year and are in danger of matching that record this season. Strong’s record at Texas stands at 16–20.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
