The last 2 losses show why Texas has to fire Charlie Strong
There's been reports Charlie Strong has been fired, there's been reports Charlie Strong is staying, but the last two weeks have shown that Texas has to make a change at the head coach position.
With the Longhorns entering the final two weeks of the campaign at 5-5, most figured Strong may be safe if he beat both Kansas and TCU. Texas would be favored in both those contests, so a 7-5 mark wasn't out of the question.
Unfortunately for Strong, the Longhorns would shockingly lose both of their remaining games, and it's almost a sure thing he will be on the unemployment line by the end of the weekend.
Here's why the two losses at the end of the season sealed Strong's fate with the Longhorns.
The loss to TCU
With Strong reportedly able to save his job if Texas won convincingly over TCU Friday, most figured the Longhorns would put forth an inspired effort. They would be wrong. Very, very wrong. The 31-9 beatdown by the Horned Frogs meant a third straight losing season for Texas, something that program certainly isn't accustomed to.
Texas hasn't had three consecutive losing seasons since 1936-38.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) November 25, 2016
Texas: 7+ losses in 3 straight seasons for 1st time in school history
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 26, 2016
Friday's loss also marked Strong's third straight loss to Gary Patterson and TCU, which also doesn't happen very often.
TCU on the verge of three-game win streak versus Texas, first since 1935-36-37-38. And wins in last three visits to Austin.
— Carlos A. Mendez (@calexmendez) November 25, 2016
The loss to Kansas
If there was one game that can be pinned for the reason Strong should be fired, it was last week's loss to Kansas. There's a lot of numbers to sift through after the stunning defeat to the Jayhawks, the first being how long it had been since it happened.
ROCK. CHALK.
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) November 20, 2016
Kansas beats Texas 24-21 in OT, the first win for the Jayhawks over the Longhorns since 1938! pic.twitter.com/g3Kg9MerDj
The reason it had been that long since Kansas had beat Texas? The Jayhawks have arguably the weakest program in the Power 5 conferences.
Kansas ended all manner of losing streaks with its win over Texas. pic.twitter.com/ZPUo9ebyLT
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 20, 2016
Strong was able to recruit top talent to Texas but was unable to win games with those players. In terms of on-field performance, the program reached previously unseen levels of failure under his watch. The losses to TCU and Kansas were perfect examples of why a change is needed for Texas.
The 56-year-old has shown in previous stops as head coach at Louisville and coordinator at Florida that he is a quality football coach in the right environment. Unfortunately Texas was never that fit for either party involved.