Strong reportedly out as Texas coach

The Austin American-Statesman was the first to report Texas’ decision to fire Strong, and Sport’s Illustrated’s Pete Thamel has since confirmed the report. It seems like it’s worse for the team, for Charlie Strong to be taking all these questions about being fired while they have a game on Friday. Texas athletic director Mike Perrin said Sunday night that the University was continuing to evaluate Strong.

Even though there are plenty of reports to the contrary, Strong said he believes a decision has not yet been made by Texas officials. Strong said he hopes a win over TCU would help him keep his job.

Perrin, who has been publicly supportive of Strong all season, didn’t say Strong would return.

Strong expressed frustration with reports saying he’d been fired filtering to his players and said he’s done his best to refocus them on Friday’s game.

“I’ve been told we’ll be evaluated at the end of the season”, he said at a Monday news conference.

Texas players have thrown their support behind Strong on social media, and it’s possible fans will greet him warmly at the TCU game the way LSU fans rallied around Les Miles when it appeared the Tigers were set to fire him at the conclusion of last season.

“I will say that we have built a foundation and I look at what’s coming back and what’s in the program now, and I’m not one to make excuses”, Strong said.

Greg Vincent, Texas vice president for diversity and community engagement, stepped into the crowd of players to hug Strong.

“I know how important wins and losses are”, Strong said.

Strong is 16-20 in his third season at Texas (5-6, 3-5 Big 12), which closes out the regular season Friday against TCU. A senior, Boyette said Strong taught him to become a man and hasn’t been given enough time to turn the program around.

Texas has a rich football history and won 10-plus games in nine straight seasons from 2001 through 2009, a run that included a 2005 BCS national title. “Still, guys were trying to do too much, and the game got away from us”. And he lost his one bowl game against Arkansas.

Charlie Strong encourages his players as Texas hosts Kansas at DKR Stadium on November 7, 2015.

Asked whether he knew what the loss meant, Strong replied: “No, I don’t”. Strong dismissed those rumors on Monday, but several players attended the press conference and greeted their coach as he left the podium. “Wins and losses don’t stack up”.

Strong’s players clearly love him.

“They won’t boycott. That’s not going to happen”, he said.

The Big Ten placed three teams in the top five of The Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 56 years, setting up a No. 2 vs.