Charlie Strong Revokes OC Shawn Watson's Play-Calling Duties: Details, Reaction

Historically great programs like the Texas Longhorns are not supposed to lose by 35 points in embarrassing fashion in the season opener, so head coach Charlie Strong wasted little time making a change.

Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman said Strong stripped offensive coordinator Shawn Watson of the play-calling duties and handed them to wide receivers coach Jay Norvell following the 38-3 loss to Notre Dame. 

Davis also passed along some of Strong’s quotes on the switch:    

It is important to note the change does not mean the end of Watson’s tenure at Texas. Max Olson of ESPN.com noted Strong said Watson will “without a doubt” stay on the staff for the rest of the season.

While the defense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain either during the 35-point loss, the Texas offense looked lost on the field. It managed a meager 163 total yards (compared to Notre Dame’s 527), and quarterback Tyrone Swoopes finished a dismal 7-of-22 passing for 93 yards. It also didn’t help that no individual ball-carrier tallied more than 40 rushing yards.

The showing was a continuation of what Longhorns fans saw in 2014, when the team finished 105th in the nation in total offense and 108th in scoring offense. Those numbers are a far cry from the days of Vince Young and Colt McCoy. 

Even with the struggles of a season ago, Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks the switch was somewhat hasty after a loss in a hostile environment against one of the best teams in the country:

Perhaps Strong was thinking about his own future if the offense continues to struggle, especially after finishing 6-7 in 2014. Matt Hinton of Grantland suggested as much:

The Longhorns still face notable contests against California, Oklahoma State, TCU, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Baylor this season. If the transfer of play-calling duties does not produce more favorable results than what we saw Saturday for the Texas offense moving forward, the 6-7 finish and bowl appearance from a year ago may not even be in reach in 2015.