Being the head football coach at the University of Texas is like managing the Yankees and Charlie Strong is about to learn what all that extra attention feels like.

On board a tricked out coach bus, the new Longhorns coach started out the "Comin' on Strong Tour" by telling a crowd in Fort Worth, Texas his team was not going to win the title this year.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Strong spoke to a crowd at Tex-Mex Grill Joe T. Garcia's and told them the apparent truth.

"We have everything available, and I don't know why we can't be successful," Strong said. "There's no reason for us not to be. Now, I can't tell you how soon it's going to be. Don't hold me to that. Don't say, 'Ooh, coach said next year we'll be in the national...' We will not be in the national championship game."

This is not news to anyone, but was still an unexpected statement from the new Longhorns' coach, the Statesman reported. This team went 8-5 and finished behind Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in Big 12. With their spring game as the latest evidence, no on should be confident in Texas' starting QB, whoever it may be.

"He's not going to go around kissing babies," former Longhorns coach David McWilliams told the Statesman. "And that's good. I know when coach (Darrell) Royal came in, all those guys after the first meeting said, 'Things are going to change around here.' And you're seeing the same thing."

Strong is taking over for Mack Brown, a beloved head coach who won two National Championships with the Longhorns. He resigned on his own terms, but rumors suggested the school all but forced that decision on him.

Forbes has listed the Texas Longhorns as the most valuable college football team in the nation more than once and the school's coaching search generated headlines throughout the process. Strong is coming from Louisville, where he led the Cardinals to a 12-1 season in the AAC.

Strong also had Teddy Bridgewater, a likely first-round draft pick this year and a far cry from whoever will start under center for Texas. The fans may not grab hold of Strong's statement, but they will expect a lot from him this season.

"A lot of our guys, they feel entitled and they get a little complacent because of where we are," Strong told the crowd. "So then as a coaching staff, that's what we have to be so conscious of when the guys feel they are a little better than what they are. It's all about building their confidence, and I tell them each and every day. You are a good football player. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not."

Related