Twice Charlie Strong has publicly denied any interest in leaving as the head coach at Texas for the same job at Miami, the last time a little less vehemently than some would’ve liked. That “tepid” response led to the speculation and rumors connecting him to the vacancy with the Hurricanes to ratchet up yet again, even as some Longhorn fans -- and possibly some boosters -- would like to see Strong and his 10-13 record get on an airplane headed for South Florida.
While some may be anti-Strong, two important men -- UT president Gregory Fenves and interim athletic director Mike Perrin -- are reportedly very much in the coach’s corner and have thrown their full support behind him. And, in a radio interview Friday morning, Perrin left no gray area as to where his opinion on Strong’s future and on the man himself falls. From the Dallas Morning News:He’s staying here,” Perrin told Austin’s 104.9 FM the Horn on Friday morning. “I have no doubt about that. No doubt in my mind whatsoever. You can count on it. You can go to the bank with it.”
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“Charlie Strong is committed to being the coach at Texas,” Perrin said. “He didn’t work so long and so hard to get here that he would walk away from it. ... Building this program is what he’s committed to.
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My administration and respect for him has only grown has we’ve had the opportunity to work more closely together in the time I’ve been here in this position,” Perrin said, later adding. “Charlie Strong is a man with the greatest character. ... I support him 100 percent.As Dabo Swinney is wont to say, you don’t ever say never, but it doesn’t seem like Strong is a man who is about to be pushed out of the door and into Miami’s arms. Would he willingly leave for another job after just two seasons in Austin? Seems highly unlikely, but again the “never say never” caveat will remain in play until Strong definitively stays. Or goes. One of the two.