After an ominous quote from Texas athletic director Mike Perrin suggested otherwise, ESPN is reporting that Longhorns coach Charlie Strong’s job is safe — for now.
Not everyone is buying it.
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Following Saturday’s 49-31 loss at Oklahoma State, Texas’ second straight defeat, Perrin told ESPN’s Jake Trotter, "I'm not evaluating Charlie, per se. I'm evaluating everything."
Perrin also told UT beat reporter Anwar Richardson, “We need to evaluate what happened here.”
Comments like this get people thinking that a coach’s days are numbered. So Perrin later tried to soften his stance, telling ESPN’s Brett McMurphy that Strong will not be fired during the season.
Additionally, Longhorns spokesperson John Bianco said Perrin's post-game remarks were referring to the coaching staff’s need to evaluate the loss to the Cowboys.
But the effort to walk back on Perrin’s initial comments were not enough to assuage doubts about Strong’s immediate future.
UT is in full spin mood. Telling reporters Mike Perrin was saying the game needed to be evaluated not Charlie Strong. Simply not true
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) October 1, 2016
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Strong is in the third year of a five-year deal. The Longhorns went 6-7 in his first season and 5-7 last year. That won’t cut it in Austin. He would receive a $10 million buyout if he’s fired after the season.
Next up for Texas is the Red River Showdown against Oklahoma. A loss to the Sooners would drop the Longhorns’ record to 2-3, and probably result in even more speculation about Strong's job security.