LONGHORNS FIND THEIR MAN

A new era in Texas football began Sunday when the Longhorns announced the hiring of Charlie Strong from Louisville.

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson praised Strong in a statement released Sunday afternoon as "a man of great integrity, with a wonderful family, who is well respected inside and outside the game."

Strong, 53, replaces Mack Brown after 16 seasons. He arrived in Austin on Sunday afternoon and will be introduced at a Monday news conference.

Strong will be the first black head coach of any men's sport in school history. UT president Bill Powers called it "a historic day for The University of Texas and a historic hire for our football team."

Strong takes over the Longhorns after four years at Louisville, his first head-coaching job. During his tenure, the Cardinals went 37-15, won two conference titles and an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory over No. 3 Florida last year.

Brown resigned on Dec. 14 and finished his Texas career with a record of 158-48.