Tom Herman Reportedly Will Be Hired by Texas
Houston head football coach Tom Herman has been linked to multiple schools in Power Five conferences, but it appears he has decided which program he will lead.
Continue for updates.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Texas Reportedly Will Hire Herman
Saturday, Nov. 26
Heather Dinich of ESPN.com reported Texas will hire Herman and is expected to announce the decision on Saturday.
James Smith of NOLA.com reported Friday that LSU was focused on hiring Herman after Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher rejected an offer that would have paid him $6.8 million a year. However, Ross Dellenger of The Advocate reported on Saturday morning that LSU will name Ed Orgeron its permanent head coach after Herman called early in the morning and said that he was "leaning" toward Texas. Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde, citing a source, added that "Texas is [Herman's] No. 1 choice."
On Thursday, Brown reported that Herman was "close" to becoming the next LSU head coach.
However, the LSU athletic department released a statement during LSU's game against Texas A&M, denying the report:
"There are a lot of unsubstantiated rumors about LSU's coaching search. We will not comment on this speculation and are currently focused on our game against Texas A&M. There is a process in place for the search, and we will take our time to make sure the best decision is made for the future of the program.
"
Hunter Yurachek, Houston's athletic director, also denied the rumor, per Steven Godfrey of SB Nation, stating Herman has not informed him he's leaving for LSU. "We're in Memphis preparing for a game," Yurachek said.
Allen Comments on Herman Rumors
Friday, Nov. 25
"He told us straight up (recently) that he's here with us no matter what," Houston wide receiver Chance Allen said, per Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. "He said he hasn't negotiated with anybody."
Herman Comments on Links to Other Jobs
Friday, Nov. 25
"Honestly, don't believe anything you read," Herman told Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network when asked about reports linking him to an exit from Houston.
Texas Boosters Reportedly Pushing for Herman
Saturday, Nov. 19
Brett McMurphy of ESPN reported that members of the Texas booster community are putting "extreme pressure" on Texas to fire Strong and make a strong push to hire Herman.
The report noted sources close to the situation said the Cougars' defeat of Heisman Trophy contender Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals changed the outlook. It was believed that "Strong's job was considered safe...if the Longhorns won out against Kansas and TCU."
"Herman was dead in the water [with Texas] when he lost to SMU [Oct. 22]," a source told McMurphy. "And now he's hotter than ever."
Herman Was Predominantly Linked to Texas from Start
Houston started its campaign with an upset of then-No. 3 Oklahoma, which brought Herman back to the forefront of the coaching carousel before midseason losses to Navy and SMU. In all, the former Ohio State offensive coordinator is 22-4 with the Cougars.
In late October, the 41-year-old coach seemed frustrated with the constant speculation about a potential move to Texas, per Brad Crawford of 247Sports.
"I'm concerned about our 100 or so players in our locker room, and we've had honest conversations that have stayed within our family," he said. "I'm done being the media police. I'm done putting out statements that refute bogus information."
Once Strong was fired in Austin, Herman was a natural fit to take his place.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
