Charlie Strong: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Texas Coach's Future

Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong entered his third year with the school coming off two consecutive losing seasons, leading to questions about his job security.

Continue for updates.

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Timeline for Strong's Firing Revealed?

Monday, Oct. 3

"A high-ranking Texas official said on Sunday night that Strong is 'very close' to losing his job at the end of the season after back-to-back road losses to Cal and Oklahoma State," Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel reported Monday. "The official said that there will be no move made during the year on Strong."

After the Longhorns' 49-31 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, which dropped Texas' record to 2-2 this season, a source told ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy that Strong's job is safe through the 2016 season. 

McMurphy's source added that if Texas continues its downward spiral, "the most likely scenario is that the defensive staff would be sacrificed" in order for Strong to come back next year. 

Texas athletic director Mike Perrin was noncommittal when speaking with ESPN.com's Jake Trotter (via McMurphy). "I'm not evaluating Charlie, per se," he said. "I'm evaluating everything."

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Texas Inconsistent to Start 2016

The Longhorns' season began in grand fashion, with a 50-47 double-overtime upset over then-No. 10 Notre Dame:

After the victory, Texas went from unranked in the Associated Press Top 25 to No. 11, where it remained after defeating UTEP 41-7 in Week 2. 

But a 50-43 loss to Cal in Week 3 derailed Texas' season and dropped it to No. 22 in the polls, leading up to its latest disappointment against unranked Oklahoma State.

In their last two losses, the Longhorns have allowed a combined 99 points. Saturday's loss was the third time in four games that Texas gave up 47 points or more.

It doesn't get any easier for Strong. Week 6 brings the Red River Rivalry against an Oklahoma team that is trying to turn around a 2-2 start and will be looking for revenge.

Last year, the 1-4 Longhorns came into the Cotton Bowl and upset the No. 10 Sooners, 24-17. But behind quarterback Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma managed to make the College Football Playoff before losing to Clemson.

If Strong is able to lead Texas to a win at the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 8, it could help his job security.