Texas Longhorns

Texas Football: Charlie Strong Committed to Coaching Staff for Better or Worse

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Following their Week 3 loss to Cal, Charlie Strong vowed to evaluate every coach for Texas football. Heading into their Week 5 Big 12 opener, Strong says he’s sticking with the coaching staff as is. Will his commitment hinder the Horns?

Nobody would have argued if Strong decided to make a change during the bye week. Through three weeks, Texas’ youth had shown itself in some unsettling ways, particularly on defense. Against Cal, the Longhorns defense got shredded. The defense failed to get consistent pressure and the secondary looked lost and confused more often than not.

Some of those struggles could be attributed to the coaching staff. Even Strong said so. Therefore, if coaching issues are causing embarrassing efforts like the one in Berkley, changes are a very real possibility. In particular danger, many thought, was defensive coordinator Vance Bedford.

In three seasons under Bedford, the Texas defense has failed to take the steps forward needed to turn the program around. The same mistakes that were being made in 2014 have been on display this season. Last season, Texas had one of the worst defenses statistically in program history. All that contributes to the calls for Bedford’s job.

But Strong isn’t listening to those calls. Instead, he’s doubling down on his commitment to this coaching staff and Bedford, in particular. Strong said he “had faith” in Bedford as DC and didn’t think a change at that position would make a positive impact.

There will be plenty of Texas fans to disagree with him. For now, Bedford is entrenched as the DC for this team, for better or worse. Charlie Strong is committing to this coaching staff with the belief that they can get it done. Will they reward that commitment with wins in Big 12 play?