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Questions Swirling Around Texas Coach Strong's Future

Texas coach Charlie Strong says he will address questions about his future with the Longhorns at his weekly news conference Monday.

Strong was asked on the Big 12 coaches conference call about any talks he had Sunday with Texas athletic director Mike Perrin amid reports that Strong will be fired at the end of his third season. Perrin said Sunday night that Strong will be evaluated after the final game this week against TCU.

"I'm going to address all those questions," at his news conference, which is schedule to start at 11 a.m. Central time, Strong said.

The Longhorns are 5-6 and Strong is 16-20 in his three seasons at Texas.

Perrin dismissed multiple reports that Strong would be fired as "rumors." Perrin didn't say that Strong will return in 2017, just that he'll be evaluated after Friday's game. Texas President Greg Fenves, who has been a strong supporter of the coach, has remained silent..

"There are a number of rumors out there about the status of Coach Strong. I've said it all along, we will evaluate the body of work after the regular season. We have a game to get ready for against TCU on Friday, and I hope our fans will come out and support our team. We'll discuss where things stand after that," Perrin said.

With top administrative support, Strong appeared relatively safe until Saturday's 24-21 overtime loss at lowly Kansas. Texas (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) held an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. Perrin refused to address reporters after the loss, and Strong, with his wife weeping outside the team locker room, said he didn't know what the loss would mean for his future.

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"No, I don't. No idea," Strong said.

But Strong was back at work Sunday. A team spokesman said Strong and his staff kept to their routine of meeting Sunday morning to review game film and start preparations for the next game.

Strong is in the third year of a five-year contract, but not even a $10 million buyout could be enough to save him. He has failed to take the program to the same heights he took Louisville. He is in danger of finishing with his third straight losing season.

His only bowl appearance came in 2014, when the Longhorns lost to Arkansas in the Texas Bowl.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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