It's official: Charlie Strong to Texas

Staff report

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It's official: Charlie Strong to Texas image

Texas announced Sunday that Charlie Strong will be the Longhorns head coach.

In a move widely reported the past 24 hours, Strong leaves Louisville to take over for Mack Brown, who stepped down after Texas played Oregon in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30. 

"I'm excited and my family is excited to have the chance to lead one of the premier football programs in the country," Strong said in a statement released through Texas. "Texas is one of those places that is always on your radar and a program anyone would dream of being a part of because you have a chance to compete on a national level every year. It's special because it has such great history, pride, tradition and passion for football."

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Strong and his family arrived in Austin on Sunday, according to the athletic department. 

Strong, 53, was 37-15 with the Cardinals in four seasons, including 3-1 in bowl games. 

Strong wanted to wait and meet with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich and university president James Ramsey before making the decision official. He met last week with Texas AD Steve Patterson about the vacancy. Jurich was on vacation in Colorado and because of weather problems, his return home was delayed.

"This was a difficult decision because the University of Louisville gave me my first opportunity as a head coach," Strong said. "I have so much respect for President Ramsey and Tom Jurich. They have been great to me and my family, and it was very hard to say goodbye, but they know this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Jurich arrived in Louisville on Saturday night and met with Strong. Jurich gave Strong his first chance to be a head coach after a long successful career as a defensive coordinator.

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"I am excited to have Charlie Strong here to build on the proud tradition of Texas football and the 16 great years that Mack Brown gave to the program," Patterson said. "Our committee and former lettermen helped create an extensive selection criteria and after visiting with Charlie, it was clear he met them all. He led championship defenses as an assistant, a resurgence at the University of Louisville with double-digit game winning seasons, and twice been selected conference coach of the year. Most importantly, Charlie is a man of great integrity, with a wonderful family, who is well respected inside and outside the game. He is committed to the development of the total student-athlete both on and off the field. Charlie will represent the program and University extremely well. We look forward to a long and successful tenure for him here at Texas. I'd also like to thank President Bill Powers, our search committee, Jed Hughes and others who helped us select Coach Strong."

SI.com has reported Strong will receive a five-year contract that will pay him $5 million annually.

Strong met with his Louisville football staff members Saturday to inform them of his decision.

With Strong's decision came speculation on who would become Cardinals coach. The program rose to national prominence under Strong, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is among players who could be chosen first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Among candidates for the Louisville job, according to CBSSports.com, are Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris, Colorado State coach Jim McElwain, Utah State coach Matt Wells and Louisville offensive coordinator Shane Watson.

Also mentioned: former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and Duke's David Cutcliffe.

Strong is from Arkansas but has been coaching in the East for some time. He must establish recruiting ties in the area, media sources noted.

He played at Central Arkansas and began coaching as a Texas A&M graduate assistant in 1985. He was on the Florida staff and built the Gators' defenses for two national title teams.

He also will have to form a Longhorns coaching staff.

Contributing: Associated Press

Staff report