The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tracking the Longhorns: Wednesday with the media
11.18.2015 | Football
Charlie Strong talks about bye week, more
Head Coach Charlie Strong
Opening Statement: We just completed a second day of practice during this off-week and the players are excited, they're out working. The thing you like about it is we know we have a ways to go and we know that we need to get better; they just have the right attitude right now. We'll go on Thursday, and then I'm going to give them Friday off and then we're going to come back on Saturday and get ready for game preparation for the Thanksgiving Day game.
As for an injury update, [Johnathan] Gray is still day-to-day, [Patrick] Vahe is still day-to-day. They have a couple more doctor appointments to get a chance to look at them. And then D'Onta Foreman tomorrow is going to have surgery on that finger, and I just don't know the extent of it, and we don't know how he'll be able to carry a football just yet. Those three guys are the major concerns right now, everyone else… we have a few bumps or bruises, but everyone else is out and they're practicing.
On D'Onta Foreman's injury status vs. Texas Tech: I think tomorrow we'll have a better update and then we'll be able to know more about that injury. Even if he is [out], then if we'll be able to get [Johnathan] Gray back in to help us, we still have Chris Warren and Kirk Johnson. So we have options there at that position.
On Johnathan Gray and Patrick Vahe's status vs. Texas Tech: We didn't want to practice them here these three days and then on Saturday we'll get a really good evaluation. When we start our game prep then we'll know exactly where those guys are. On Saturday, [Elijah] Rodriguez came in and played very well. We can move that offensive line around now. We have enough guys who have played enough where we can just put them in different spots.
On the persisting rumors about other coaching jobs: It's all a rumor. We're here to build a program and that's why I came here. I know we still have a way's to go and we have great support from our president and also from our athletic director. They know what the situation is. We know this the coaching staff and everyone is on board. We know that we have to get things done here. We know what we're up against and we know what the battle is. We just have to get better. We're not where we want to be. We know that the future is very bright, and we have some outstanding players and we just have to make sure that they improve.
On what little tweaks the team can make heading into their last two games: Right now it's all about Texas Tech and, I'll tell you what, they're a very explosive offense. I know they're #2 in the country in scoring. They get the ball out quickly and they have plenty of receivers where they can get the ball into playmakers' hands. You watch those guys and they can get up and down the field. It's amazing how many explosive plays they have. We're always talking about hey, throw the guy a five yard hitch and see if he can take it the distance? They can take it the distance. They'll make a couple of guys miss and then it's off and running.
On if it bothers him that rumors won't go away: Well it does. I have an unbelievable job here, and a lot of times I don't know where it surfaces from. But the thing I've got to do is continue to work here and get this done. It's important that I have to be successful here. There's just too many people counting on me, but not just me; counting on us to get it done. We have an unbelievable fan base and unbelievable support from our alums. We've got to get it done. Nobody is more frustrated than I am, because when you go out to play you want to win and that's what it's all about, to win football games.
On whether he knew the season was going to be this difficult: You don't ever want to think that because as a coach you can get guys going and you have enough talent around you where it can happen for you. But it hasn't. We could have done a better job coaching, but still have two left and we need to go play these next two games.
On the sense of urgency from the team heading into their final two games: I'll tell you what, it's always a sense of urgency and that's the way you always want it. You want it to be that, and you know that you have a lot to play for. There is a lot at stake each and every week when you go out to play. We just haven't consistently gotten it done, but we know these next two weeks that we can go out and go end the season the right way. The players understand that. Like I said I am frustrated, but I think don't think anyone is more frustrated than that grow up young men because they know what it's all about here. They know the foundation that has been laid here. They want to continue to build on it. I get so upset because I want the senior class to go out the right way, and they haven't had the season that I'd like for them to have.
On if he thinks he has support from the administration: I do and I don't listen to the noise in the system. You can't control that. Everybody wants a winner. Our President and Athletic Director have been very supportive of this program.
