The day began with Texas boosters reportedly exerting “extreme pressure” on those in the administration to fire Charlie Strong and hire Tom Herman. It ends with the current head coach providing those boosters with all of the ammunition they need to make him the former coach and begin the pursuit of his successor in earnest.
On the strength of six turnovers, including a critical one in extra time, Texas inexplicably stumbled, bumbled and tripped its way to a stunning 24-21 overtime loss to woebegone and woeful Kansas. UT took a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as KU scored the final 14 points of the game, including the game-winning field goal in overtime a few minutes after the Longhorns tossed an interception on their first possession.
The win snapped the Jayhawks’ 19-game Big 12 losing streak, a stretch that went back to a 34-14 win over Iowa State in 2014. It was also the Jayhawks first win over the Longhorns since 1938.
Today, though, this is about Texas and the future of its football program.
Simply put, a Longhorns head coach can’t survive a loss to the Jayhawks, especially a head coach who has been on a scorching hot seat for most of the season and with a hot, young alternative champing at the bit to take over in Austin.
At this time, it’s a matter of when not if UT pulls the trigger and makes a change. Charlie Strong is an honorable man and a good coach, but honor only goes so far when you’re losing to Kansas of all teams.
Results matter, and Strong simply hasn’t done enough. Losing to Kansas in Year 3? Unacceptable, and a fireable offense even in the eyes of his most ardent supporters.