Texas Longhorns dismiss coaching ‘rumors’

Texas says nothing has been decided on football Coach Charlie Strong.

Longhorns Athletic Director Mike Perrin, in the face of swirling reports that school officials had decided to fire Strong at the end of a third bad season, dismissed them Sunday as “rumors” and said the coach would be evaluated after playing Texas Christian on Friday.

Perrin, who has been publicly supportive of Strong all season, didn’t say Strong would return.

“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.

That sets up an awkward Monday for Strong when he addresses reporters on the Big 12 coaches conference call, and then later at his weekly campus news conference, which is televised by the Longhorn Network.

Texas President Greg Fenves, who has also been supportive of Strong this season, was silent on the coach’s future Sunday.

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.

Big Ten power

The Big Ten placed three teams in the top five of the Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 56 years, setting up a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup for Ohio State and Michigan.

Alabama was a unanimous No. 1. With Wisconsin at No. 5, the Big Ten has three of the first five for the first time since Nov. 7, 1960.