After a very disappointing 2014 season, Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong promised that during the off-season, he and all the players will work better and harder to fix all the problems, get the team in better shape, and get the team ready for the 2015 College Football season. Charlie Strong was hired by the University of Texas after longtime Texas head coach Mack Brown left after the 2013 season.
Soon after Strong arrived, many players were getting kicked out of the program due to violations. Many Texas fans believe the many dismissals of players was one of the reasons of last year’s rough season. Strong explained that he would never intend on kicking a player out of his football program. “So much was made last season about the suspensions. I want you to understand this: My goal is never, ever to kick a young man out of the program,” he said.”I want them to have an opportunity to be successful, but decisions are made, and sometimes guys feel like they want to do things their way. When that happens, then we have to make a decision on our end.”
The Texas Longhorns finished 6-7 last season, including getting thumped 31-7 by the University of Arkansas in the Advocare B0wl. Coach Strong explained that a record like that isn’t good, and it’s critical to make sure it doesn’t happen again. “Last year 6-7 is not good enough,” he said. “It will never be good enough at the University of Texas.”
The Texas Longhorns will play their season opener against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Texas Senior Running back Jonathan Gray expressed his excitement to play Notre Dame. “Knowing their tradition and what they’re about, I mean, they’re a great team, a very competitive team, and that’s all I live for that’s competitive teams,” he said. “So to get an option like that, why not? Let’s go do it.”
Over the last couple of years, there has been a great deal of concern about the quarterback position on the Texas squad. After David Ash quit football due to numerous concussion issues, it was up to Tyrone Swoops to lead the offense. Swoops struggled a lot last season, and this summer, he has been competing for the starting job at quarterback with Jerrod Heard. Coach Strong said that he’s given them both a chance to fight for the spot. “Well, they’re both going to get that shot,” he said. “It’s still a learning process for him(Swoopes), and Jerrod is coming along good, and both of them are there this summer.”
The Longhorns’ season begins on September 5, when they will travel to Notre Dame, Indiana to take on the fighting Irish. Texas will look to avenge their disappointing 2014 season, and will work to climb up the ranks, and one day again be a team that’s worthy of competing for a BCS title.
