After getting crushed 30-7 by No. 10 Oregon in Mack Brown’s final game at Texas, the Longhorns now turn their attention to finding their next head coach.
New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson said before kickoff of the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio Monday night that he wants a successor by Jan. 15.
The Longhorns have contacted Louisville about their accomplished coach, Charlie Strong, as a potential Brown replacement, sources told Yahoo! Sports Tuesday.
Further, a source told Orangebloods.com that Patterson flew to an undisclosed location Tuesday to interview Strong. Patterson has also interviewed Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and has his eye on Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, according to the report.
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Patterson said coaches interested in the job have come forward but wouldn't discuss potential candidates.
"There's interest that's sincere, and there's interest that's 'Help me find a better contract,'" Patterson said.
The Longhorn faithful did not want Brown’s 16-year tenure to end this way: with the worst postseason loss of Brown's run at Texas, which tacks on another dreary footnote to a season of constant tension and unmet expectations.
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The blowout was a final reminder of why Brown is resigning after 16 seasons at Texas, which he led to a national championship in 2005 but couldn't pull out of mediocrity and disappointment in recent years. He led the Longhorns off the field for the last time with his arm slung around his wife, flashing the "Hook 'em Horns" sign before disappearing into a tunnel to a chorus of cheers.
"The fan base needed to be pulled together because it was very divided in 1997. We pulled them together. We had a great run," Brown said. "Now there's some for you, some against you. That's not fair to these guys. They need to have positive energy all the time. That's what I want for them."
Brown received warm goodbyes from a sellout crowd in what was practically a home game for Texas (8-5). The school marching band spelled his name at halftime, and the halter over Bevo's face was emblazoned with the word "MACK."
It was a tribute to Brown returning Texas to a national power before the last four uneven seasons, when he couldn't reverse a sharp decline since the Longhorns lost to Alabama in the 2009 championship game.
Brown said he had no regrets about making this his exit.
"I think it's best for Texas. It's best for me, it's best for the players," he said. "We need to win more than eight games. Last year was nine. I really thought we had a chance to win all the games this year. It didn't work. It's my job to make that work. I told them tonight, the only regret I had is we didn't win enough games this year."
The BCS-snubbed Ducks (11-2) dominated throughout — even though their famously high-powered offense scored just one touchdown and repeatedly settled for field goals. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had 386 total yards and Oregon returned two interceptions for touchdowns, spoiling Brown's farewell.
Texas quarterback Case McCoy scored on a 1-yard rush in the first quarter for Texas' only touchdown. He finished 8 of 17 for 48 yards and was pulled at times in the second half for freshman Tyrone Swoopes.
Running back Malcolm Brown was the lone offensive constant for Texas, finishing with 130 yards on 26 carries.
"It's tough not to get a win for him," defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. "Miss Sally, she's like a second mom to us. She takes care of us. Coach Brown loves us "
Far from the uplifting send-off Texas wanted for Brown, the school now shifts its focus to finding a replacement.
"It's been a wonderful 16 years," Brown said. "It's been a great ride."
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.