Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong Says He Didn't Kick Players off the Team

Texas head coach Charlie Strong claims he "didn't kick" nine players off the team between January 2014, his first month in Austin, and September of that year.

Of course, nine Texas players were dismissed over that period, but Strong said on CBS Radio’s Tiki and Tierney that they were pointed to a different program more than booted out the doors.

Here are Strong's exact words, per Chris Vannini of Coaching Search:

"

I didn't kick them off. So much was said about, 'He walks in here and he just starts getting rid of guys.' I always look at it like this: With our coaching staff, we’ve provided you a chance to just get it right and just do what we ask you to do, and that’s what it came down to.

Any time you take over a program, sometimes you’re going to be challenged. I’m one of those coaches where I make it about the players. I want them to always understand that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they’re successful.

Now, some people don’t want to hear the message, and then when they decide that they want to run their own program, then I tell them, 'You know what? This may not be the place for you. There’s other schools that would love to have you, so I just think that’s probably where you need to go.'

"

The list of players Strong dismissed—er, suggested leave the program—includes offensive tackle Kennedy Estelle, fullback Chet Moss, safety Leroy Scott, running back Joe Bergeron, safety Chevoski Collins, running back Jalen Overstreet, wide receiver Montrel Meander, wide receiver Kendall Sanders and linebacker Deoundrei Davis.

The specifics of the "dismissals" varied, but each fell under the broad umbrella of violating Strong's five core values:

1. Honesty
2. Treat Women With Respect
3. No Drugs
4. No Stealing
5. No Weapons

Basically, Strong thinks that by violating one of his core values, the players who left the program sealed their own respective fates. They knew what he expected from them, and when they betrayed those expectations, they kicked themselves out of the program.

Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com offered the best take on Strong's passive-aggressiveness:

"

So, in Charlie's mind, he didn't kick anybody off the team, he just made it clear to them that they should pursue other opportunities. Maybe we should all try to take this approach in our own lives.

Perhaps you're in a relationship that you feel has run its course, but you don't have the strength to put an end to it. So instead of looking into your significant other's eyes and simply saying, 'I'm ending this,' just say something like, 'You know, Steve from down the street thinks you're really attractive, and he has a good job. In fact, I think he makes more than I do, and with better benefits. Did you know that? You should talk to him, he's a nice guy.'

"

Like he said Thursday, Strong is one of those coaches who cares deeply for his players. He wants to mold them into better people.

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At Louisville, Strong's players bought in. The Cardinals won the Sugar Bowl in 2012-13, finished 12-1 the following season and had three players (Calvin Pryor, Marcus Smith, Teddy Bridgewater) become first-round NFL draft picks in 2014.

If Texas players buy in similarly, they can expect similar results. If they don't, they can expect more mediocre seasons. (The Longhorns finished 6-7 in 2014.)

Either way, Strong will never compromise his values.