University of Texas Hires UH’s Tom Herman to Lead Longhorns

HOUSTON, TX -- Tom Herman, who led the Houston Cougars football program on a successful two year run, will be the next head coach of the University of Texas Longhorns.

Herman will replace Charlie Strong, who was fired Saturday after three disappointing seasons as the Longhorns’ head coach.

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

Herman was rumored to be the top candidate for the head coaching job at Louisiana State University, after initial reports circulated that Herman had met with LSU officials last week, but those reports were later proven to be false.

Herman compiled a 22-4 record during his head coaching tenures at UH, but has roots at the UT where he was a graduate assistant on Mack Brown’s staff in 1999-2000.

Meanwhile, the hunt for Herman’s successor is already underway with a number of familiar names being floated, including UH Offensive Coordinator and former UT quarterback Major Applewhite, former Baylor Head Coach Art Briles, Syracuse's Dino Babers and Tulsa's Phillip Montgomery.

University of Houston Vice President for Athletics Hunter Yurachek released a statement to say farewell:

“In his short time in Houston, Tom Herman elevated the Houston Football program to new heights, and we are grateful for his contributions to our program. The entire University of Houston community wishes he and his family continued success in this new chapter in their lives,” Yurachek said. “We will immediately turn our focus to identifying the next leader of our program. We are confident we will find the right individual who will support the young men who are and have committed to this program and who will also support our mission of building Champions for Life, both on and off the field.”

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