Texas’ Strong lobbies to keep job amid turmoil

Amid reports Sunday that he would be fired, Strong said he met with his players and told them “there’s no reason to worry about me”. Some of the players took that as Strong referencing his own demise after the TCU game.

In the wake of the reports, Athletic Director Mike Perrin released a statement that stated an announcement on Strong will be made after the TCU game. “There are a number of rumors out there about the status of Coach Strong”, Perrin’s statement said.

Boyette praised the personal bonds Strong has build with his players and said most people don’t understand what he and his team have gone through with the persistent speculation about Strong’s job.

If the Longhorns win, they will finish 6-6 and qualify for a bowl game.

Strong also made a case for why he should return for a fourth season at Texas, noting the strength of recent recruiting classes and a strong culture within the team.

The Longhorns are in an interesting situation if they decide to fire Strong, because few (if any) programs have the money to go after a head coach that Texas possesses.

While this season has been frustrating, Strong has always told his players: “Don’t quit on me and I won’t quit on you”. I said, ‘We got one game, let’s go get this game, let’s get to a bowl game.

Multiple outlets reported Sunday that the Longhorns will fire Strong, adding another low point in what has been a horrendous 2016 season for the school’s football program.

The Longhorns (3-5 Big 12) have shown some fight this season, beating Notre Dame in double overtime to open the season, ever-so-briefly giving Strong a reprieve from all the critics.

Asked whether he knew what the loss meant, Strong replied: “No, I don’t”.

“I don’t really think so”, Strong said.

“As coaches, we all say we get it”, Snyder said of the potential for Strong to leave after only three seasons because of a 16-20 record. Texas has not gone three consecutive seasons without a winning record since 1936-38. That’s not going to happen. They lost to Kansas State, then beat Texas Tech and Baylor to give Strong hope … before they lost 24-20 to West Virginia, which led to the final straw: losing to Kansas for the first time since 1938. Oklahoma State has a unique argument for playoff inclusion, as one of its two losses would have been a win if not for officials allowing an illegal final play from Central Michigan to stand.