Texas AD Mike Perrin Comments on Charlie Strong's Status as Longhorns Coach

Brian Davis and Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman reported University of Texas officials decided to fire head football coach Charlie Strong following Saturday's 24-21 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, but men's athletic director Mike Perrin stressed patience in a statement Sunday, per Davis:

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There are a number of rumors out there about the status of Coach Strong. I've said it all along, we will evaluate the body of work after the regular season. We have a game to get ready for against TCU on Friday, and I hope our fans will come out and support our team. We'll discuss where things stand after that.

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While Perrin didn't say Strong will be fired, a high-ranking university source said the coach "knows what is coming," per Davis and Bohls.

Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com confirmed Bohls and Davis' report.

Saturday's loss to a Kansas team that had dropped 19 consecutive Big 12 games may have been the final straw, but Davis and Bohls noted Strong—who has two years worth $10.7 remaining on a guaranteed contract—is just 16-20 in three seasons.

If the 5-6 Longhorns lose Friday's game against the TCU Horned Frogs, they will finish with three consecutive losing seasons for the first since 1936-38. Davis and Bohls also noted Strong's .444 winning percentage is the lowest in school history.

Earlier Sunday, Chip Brown of Scout.com reported Perrin "could meet with Strong" to outline his departure in a way that would "honor him as much as possible."

Strong's departure would open up the coaching position at one of the blue bloods of the college football world, and Davis and Bohls reported Texas officials will target Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman.

McMurphy also reported a number of Texas boosters were pressuring administrators to replace Strong with Herman.

Herman won a national championship as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes before taking the head coaching position at Houston, where he has led the Cougars to a 22-3 record with wins over the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida State Seminoles over the past two seasons.