Charlie Strong has made it no secret that he is looking to change the culture surrounding the Texas football program. The former Louisville coach believes that the success the Longhorns had five years ago has led to complacency and entitlement. Strong is also looking to temper expectations.
“We have everything available, and I don’t know why we can’t be successful,” Strong said Monday, via Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman. “There’s no reason for us not to be. Now, I can’t tell you how soon it’s going to be. Don’t hold me to that. Don’t say, ‘Ooh, coach said next year we’ll be in the national…’ We will not be in the national championship game.”
Texas fans are not going to want to hear that, but it is probably the truth. The Longhorns are coming off an 8-5 season that ended with a loss in the Alamo Bowl. They are a combined 30-21 since losing in the National Championship Game back in 2009.
“A lot of our guys, they feel entitled and they get a little complacent because of where we are,” Strong added. “So then as a coaching staff, that’s what we have to be so conscious of when the guys feel they are a little better than what they are.”
This is all part of Strong’s overall approach. We learned last month that he won’t even allow his players to flash the hook ’em Horns sign until they earn the right to do so. Strong is clearly concerned about his team getting overconfident. Saying Texas will not be in the National Championship Game is another way for him to knock his players down a peg while also being realistic.
