Austin fires head football coach Charlie Strong, hires Tom Herman

Herman comes into the job from the University of Houston, where he’s been head coach for two seasons, with a record of 22-4. Texas had hoped for a turnaround this season after a 2-0 start, but a three-game losing streak and a 0-2 start in the Big 12 quickly followed. Earlier this week, facing reports of his dismissal, Strong emphasized the importance of the TCU game because the Longhorns’ bowl eligibility hinged on it.

The first black coach in the history of the proud program was sacked Saturday with a 16-21 record in three seasons.

Texas will have to buyout the $10.7 million for Strong’s remaining two years on his contract. “I came here to win a national championship, and I came here to change lives”.

Just hours after Strong’s statement, Herman issued his own through UT.

In Herman, Texas President Greg Fenves and athletic director Mike Perrin hired arguably the hottest young coach in college football away from Houston. It was the second winning interim stint at a major program for Orgeron, who went 6-2 at USC after Kiffin was sacked in 2013. Fenves and Perrin believe they have gotten a proven victor with Herman and his 22-4 record at Houston, and know he has already established the ability to recruit top-tier talent in the state of Texas.

The Longhorns opened this season with two consecutive victories, including a 50-47 upset of then-No. Rumors were circling Friday about Herman taking the LSU job.

Allen could provide an immediate influx of talent at the quarterback position for the Longhorns, especially considering he should be familiar with Herman’s offensive system. He was sacked in 2014 after going 7-5 to clear the way for Herman to take over after serving as offensive coordinator for Ohio State when the team won the national title that year.

With former UT Coach Mack Brown in attendance, Herman took a chance to say thank you to his former boss. Strong was paid $5.2 million per year at Texas, making him one of only seven FBS head coaches to achieve that salary plateau. For now that speculation is focused on University of Houston coach Tom Herman, who is also reportedly fielding an offer to take the helm at Louisiana State University. It’s the first time Texas has had three losing seasons in row since 1936-38. He can recruit, he gets his guys up for the big game and he knows how to put together a great staff. Herman had been the hottest name on the college coaching market, and had always been rumored as a replacement for Charlie Strong should he falter.

Herman vowed that Texas will have the best-trained team in America and the most physically and mentally tough team on the field, and he’s excited to begin recruiting for the program. A news conference to present Orgeron as the Tigers’ next coach has been scheduled for 1 p.m.in Baton Rouge, La. Despite swirling reports that he would be fired, school administrators had pledged no decision would be made until after the final game.