The Texas Longhorns are reportedly preparing to fire coach Charlie Strong at season’s end.
According to Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, the school is “very close” to deciding to fire Strong once the season ends. No move will be made during the season, as the Longhorns do not see an obvious interim replacement on staff, but back-to-back road losses to California and Oklahoma State appear to be sealing his fate.
Longhorns officials are said to be pleased with the culture change that Strong has implemented, as well as his recruiting. However, there is a sense that Strong lacks attention to detail, a theory given further fuel on Saturday when the team had three extra points blocked in the first half alone.
It isn’t clear whether or not there is anything Strong can do to save his job before season’s end. Thamel reports that Houston coach Tom Herman will likely be a target of the Longhorns if and when Strong is relieved of his duties.
Strong is taking over play-calling on the defensive side and shuffling his staff, likely a last ditch effort to salvage something from a season that started so promisingly. It may be too late either way.
