The Mack Brown tenure at Texas is over, according to several reports.
But that is apparently news to Brown.
“I’m in Florida recruiting,” Brown told Bobby Burton of 247Sports.com after reports of his resignation surfaced Tuesday afternoon. “If I had decided to step down I sure wouldn’t be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down.”
MORE: Top 10 head coaching jobs | Top 10 freak athletes in BCS games
Earlier Tuesday, Orangebloods.com reported that two high-level sources confirmed that Brown will step down at Texas and that he is expected to make an announcement by the end of the week.
ESPN.com later reported the same, and went a step further.
Mack Brown expected to resign by end of week, source told @espn. 1st reported by @ChipBrownOB
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 11, 2013 Source to @ESPN about Brown resigning by end of week: "It's a shame after 16 years Mack's not able to do it on his own w/dignity & grace”
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 11, 2013InsideTexas.com, citing an anonymous source, reported that Brown will receive a multimillion-dollar settlement and be paid $1.3 million per year through 2020 to serve as an ambassador and liaison for the university.
"Mack Brown loves Texas and wants what's in the best interest of Texas and what's in the best interest of Mack Brown," a high-level source told Orangebloods.com. "I don't think it's been an easy decision. But he doesn't want negativity around the program he helped unify."
Brown's attorney, Joe Jamail, told The Associated Press that Brown has not resigned as well and that Brown's future was still up to the coach.
HAYES: Brown answers critics way he knows best
Brown’s 16th season at Texas was full of ups, downs and speculation as to mostly when — not if — the Longhorns coach would resign or be fired.
Now, with his Longhorns 8-4 and headed to the Alamo Bowl to play Oregon, the program may be headed in a new direction.
Reports surfaced earlier in the season that Texas might be targeting Alabama coach Nick Saban after it was discovered that a current and former Texas regent discussed the Texas position with Saban’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, after last season’s BCS championship game.
Last week, University of Texas president Bill Powers told the Austin American-Statesman that the school is not pursuing Saban.
“I’ve never met Nick Saban. I’ve never talked to Nick Saban. We have not hired Nick Saban,” Powers said. “Mack (Brown is) our coach, and I can say flatly that the rumors we have hired or come to an agreement with Nick Saban or even talked to him are false.”
Brown is 158-47 in 16 seasons and won the 2005 BCS title game and lost it in 2009. The Longhorns won at least 10 games from 2001 through 2009.
But since that 2009 season when the Longhorns went 13-1, losing to Alabama in the BCS title game, Texas has struggled. That season was followed by a 5-7, 8-5, 9-4 and this season’s 8-4. Horrible? No. But not up to Texas standards.