Charlie Strong is looking to turn around the Texas program. (Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
DALLAS – New Texas coach Charlie Strong’s first order of business while making his formal introduction to Big 12 Conference peers on Tuesday was to slightly play down high expectations.
“You expect them to have expectations at the University of Texas because you’re looking at a premier program,” Strong said on the second and final day of the conference’s media assembly. “But it’s all about our players and just making sure we go compete. We as a coaching staff need to make sure the preparation is there.
“When you get caught up in the expectations, I don’t ever want to put pressure on our team. I just want them to go out and just go to work each and every day.”
Strong will begin his first season at Texas in the Longhorns’ opener at home against North Texas on Aug. 30.
He replaces Mack Brown, who resigned in January after an 8-5 season — disappointing by Texas standards — and wilting under the expectations of a fan base that wants to be a national contender every year.
Under Brown, Texas became just that for a while.
Brown compiled a 158-48 record with the Longhorns while winning the BCS national championship in 2005 and playing in another in 2009.
By virtue of his hiring in January, those expectations have been transferred to Strong, who left Louisville to take over at Texas.
“I followed an icon in Coach Brown 16 seasons at the University of Texas,” Strong said. “The foundation has been laid. Now it’s up to us to … to build on it.
“It’s going to be very challenging, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Strong indicated that David Ash would be his starter at quarterback but said sophomore Tyrone Swoopes and true freshman Tyrone Swoopes will get good looks.
Strong was the last of five Big 12 coaches to address the media on Tuesday. He was preceded by Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, Iowa State’s Paul Rhoads, West Virginia’s Dana Holgerson and Kansas State’s Bill Snyder.
“I think Charlie’s a great coach,” said Stoops, coach of Texas’ archrival. “We’ve really enjoyed the times I have been around him. So I gotta be careful. I can’t wish him too much luck, but I know he’ll do a great job and he’s a great coach.”
–TCU defensive end Devonte Fields has been separated from the team while under investigation by Fort Worth police in a case involving an alleged domestic disturbance, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Fields’ ex-girlfriend accused him of pointing a gun at her and threatening “I should blast you!” before punching her in the head in the early morning hours on Sunday, the paper reported. Fields, who only played in three games in 2013 because of injury and suspension for violating team rules, was selected the Big 12 preseason defensive MVP.
–Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he is hopeful transfer wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham and transfer quarterback Baker Mayfield will be eligible to play this year.
Green-Beckham was dismissed from Missouri for off-field issues and Mayfield was a starter at Texas Tech as a walk-on true freshman.
“I think it’s one thing if you’ve invested a scholarship in an individual,” said Stoops, who added that the school has an appeal before the NCAA regarding Green-Beckham. “But a guy that you haven’t invested a scholarship in, I don’t know why that would … be an issue.”
–Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads gave new offensive coordinator Mark Mangino a warm embrace.
“We’re going to be a spread system. It’s a generic term, but we’re going to deploy a lot of three wide receiver sets and one-back offense. We’re not going to huddle. We want to be simple where our kids can execute at a high rate of speed, and I think that’s exactly what Mark brings to our offense.”
–College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock paid a visit and said Minnesota and Atlanta, both building new stadiums, and Indianapolis are all expected to receive strong consideration to host national championship games in 2018 through 20.
