Charlie Strong Fired As Head Football Coach at Texas, Houston's Tom Herman Hired [UPDATED]

AUSTIN, TX — Charlie Strong has been let go as head football coach at the University of Texas after three losing seasons, school officials announced Saturday.

Rumors have long swirled about Strong's ultimate dismissal after the head coach logged losing seasons in each of the three years he's been at the helm. Speculation about his termination was heightened after last Saturday's shocking loss to the University of Kansas, arguably the worst team in college play coming into that game with a 1-9 record.

Friday's 31-9 home loss to Texas Christian University sealed Strong's fate as university officials moved quickly to stem the losses. Less than an hour after firing Strong, university officials hired University of Houston coach Tom Herman to succeed him, a development first reported by ESPN. Herman has deep roots in Texas roots, having started his career as a Longhorns graduate assistant under Mack Brown. Of his 18 years in football, 12 have been spent in Texas, including his one-year playing career spent at Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas.

UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves first announced news of Strong's firing in a prepared statement.

"Charlie Strong is an outstanding leader and role model who worked hard and with great integrity to move Longhorn football in the right direction," Fenves wrote. "He has been committed to helping our student-athletes succeed both on and off the field. I share the pride, admiration and respect that many in Longhorn nation and beyond feel for him."

But the decision to fire Strong boiled down to losses, Fenves added: "In the end, the results over three seasons were not there. It was not clear the future was going to be at the levels expected of Longhorn football."

Longhorns Men's Athletic Director Mike Perrin lauded Strong's moral leadership in a prepared statement.

"Decisions like this are tough to make," he wrote. "The responsibility is not taken lightly. I became friends with Charlie Strong before becoming Athletics Director. I have the utmost personal respect for him. His impact on college athletics and student-athletes should be celebrated. Coach Strong represented The University of Texas with class and dignity, and he demanded our student-athletes do the same by adhering to his system of core values."

But in the end, the rough, unforgiving calculus of wins and losses sealed Strong's fate.

"However, after thorough evaluation, the body of work over three seasons has not shown the improvement we were hoping for," Perrin said in his statement. "This was an important year for our program to take the next step, and the results simply aren't there, so we've decided to make a change. We appreciate Coach Strong so much, are grateful for all he has done with our program and wish him the best in the future."

After last week's loss to Kansas, Strong responded to questions about his future at UT during his weekly news conference on Monday amid reports of his probable firing. At the briefing, he acknowledged the record of losses were a difficult challenge to overcome in making his case, but suggested his tenure has also been distinguished for other achievements that include instilling values in the players and giving them direction, The Associated Press reported.

Neither Perrin nor President Greg Fenves were at that news conference. Amid rampant speculation about Strong's future, university officials previously said a decision would be made after Friday's TCU game.

In the wake of his firing, Strong said it was a difficult day for him, his family and others affected by the decision.

"I'm most disappointed for these kids and our staff who have poured so much of their lives into this program for the last three years. I do understand that it comes down to wins and losses, and we have not done our job in that area yet. I accept full responsibility for that, but know in my heart that we accomplished our primary goal, which is the development of young men," Strong said.

"We have had a positive impact on our campus and the community, and I'm proud of how our team is focused on earning their degrees. We were developing something really special. This program has a championship foundation built on great young men with tremendous character. There are very bright days ahead, and I'll be pulling for these kids no matter where I am. I want to thank everyone who supported me and this program for the last three years. I don't regret coming to Texas. I learned a great deal and grew as a person in my time here. I'll miss the opportunity to lead this program going forward, but I'm ready to accept my next challenge."

Late Saturday, UT-Austin officials officially announced Herman's hiring as the university's 30th coach in an email sent to the Austin American-Statesman.

“The opportunity to come back to Texas is a dream come true for me and my family, and I can’t thank President (Gregory L.) Fenves and Mike Perrin enough for providing me with this incredible opportunity,” Herman said in a prepared statement. “Longhorn football has been – and always will be – a national power, winning and playing for national championships with great pride and passion, supported by an unbelievable fan base.”

An introductory press conference is scheduled to take place on Sunday, officials said.

“I want to thank the University of Houston, the administration, the fans and especially the players for an unbelievable two years,” Herman wrote. “My family and I will be forever grateful.”

Before the announcement of Herman's hiring, players took to Twitter to express their feelings about Strong's dismissal.

"This man gave me a shot when nobody else wanted me," wrote junior wide receiver Dorian Leonard on Twitter. "He has helped me grow as a football player and a man."

"Thank you for everything," freshman quarterback Shane Buechele offered succinctly.

Senior QB Trey Holtz was more eloquent, highlighting Strong's attributes apart from his win-loss record: "Coach Strong isn't in this crazy business for the money or fame, but to make an impact on every young man's life and and try to make them a better person overall," Holtz wrote.

University of Texas officials announced in January 2014 that Strong would be leaving the University of Louisville to accept the head football coach position at Texas, where he was signed to a five-year, $5 million annual contract. In replacing Mack Brown, Strong became the university's 29th head coach and the first black head coach in the history of the Texas football program.

>>> Image by LBJ Foundation via Wikimedia Commons

Tony Cantu contributed to this report.