Sports

Strong set for Texas debut after offseason of honesty about Longhorns' title hopes

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this Aug. 4, 2014, photo, new University of Texas NCAA college football head coach Charlie Strong watches a morning practice session in Austin, Texas. Strong laid down the law with a series of player dismissals and suspensions, then he moved into the dorm with his team for training camp. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Ricardo Brazziell ) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM, MAGS OUT (The Associated Press)

In this Aug. 4, 2014, photo, new University of Texas NCAA college football head coach Charlie Strong watches a morning practice session in Austin, Texas. Strong laid down the law with a series of player dismissals and suspensions, then he moved into the dorm with his team for training camp. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Ricardo Brazziell ) AUSTIN CHRONICLE OUT, COMMUNITY IMPACT OUT, INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM, MAGS OUT (The Associated Press)

New Texas coach Charlie Strong wasted no time delivering fans a bit of the honesty he demands from his players.

Way back in April, on the first stop of a statewide introductory tour, Strong told Longhorns fans Texas "will not be in the national championship game."

Talk about a culture change. Strong promised one and he plans to deliver. Until Texas sheds its entitlement image — even after four years of mediocre football — it can't expect to play for any kind of trophies.

Strong was hired from Louisville after Mack Brown's teams failed to win the Big 12 the last four seasons.

He has a lot to sort out, the first of which is keeping quarterback David Ash healthy after missing most of last season with concussion symptoms.