According to multiple reports the Texas Longhorns are hiring Louisville Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong to be Mack Brown’s successor in Austin, according to 247 Sports and later Rivals and Football Scoop.
BREAKING: Horns247 first to report that Texas will hire Louisville coach Charlie Strong.
— Bobby Burton (@BobbyBurton87) January 4, 2014
Louisville coach Charlie Strong will replace Mack Brown as the head coach at Texas, according to a high-ranking UT source.
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) January 4, 2014
The UT source said Louisville's Charlie Strong will be offered the job, and Strong has indicated he will accept.
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) January 4, 2014
Strong wont 23 games in the past two seasons with the Cardinals including winning three of his four bowl appearances.
Earlier today I wrote that Strong and James Franklin were among the finalists to be the next head coach in Austin and a decision could be coming soon, but I didn’t think it would happen until after the weekend.
Pat Forde of Yahoo says Strong has not yet accepted the job, but this is just a formality as he can break the news to Louisville and to his players personally rather than hearing the news broken via the Internet.
Y source: As of now Charlie Strong has not accepted Texas job, has not talked to Louisville AD Tom Jurich or President James Ramsey.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 4, 2014
And that is confirmed by ESPN”s Brett McMurphy
Charlie Strong hasn't accepted Texas job; wants to talk w/UL AD & Prez source told @ESPN. Another source: no formal offer but he will accept
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 4, 2014
It may not be a home run hire for Texas, but I think it’s easily a stand up double with the potential to be a home run in a couple years once Strong gets the lay of the land.
He is a great teacher, leader and recruiter and should have Texas back atop the Big 12 and in the national title picture in a couple seasons.