Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong could have a high-profile visitor in the near future, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to meet with the noted disciplinarian on Sunday, according to a report from Chip Brown of Horns Digest.
A Texas spokesman on Thursday denied that such a meeting has been scheduled.
The NFL is in the midst of a run of negative publicity after Goodell completely botched the handling of the domestic violence incident between former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancee. Initially suspended for two games by the league, the release of the elevator video from the incident that showed Rice throwing a punch and knocking Janay Rice unconscious resulted in the league suspending Rice indefinitely.
Rice was then released by the Ravens and is currently appealing his suspension as the player's union investigates the handling of the the situation.
There have also been a number of other recent instances of domestic violence around the league, as well as the high-profile child abuse accusations against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.
In an attempt to resurrect the image of the league, Goodell and the head of the NFL players union, DeMaurice Smith, have started a contribution to the National Domestic Violence Hotline on behalf of the league and reportedly want to meet with Strong to discuss his five core values, which includes treating women with respect, as well as honesty, no stealing, no guns, and no drugs.
Since the hotline is based in Austin, Goodell and Smith apparently want to meet with Strong as well while on their trip.
The Texas head coach has drawn national headlines for dismissing nine players from the team during his short tenure, including junior wide receiver Kendall Sanders and redshirt freshman wide receiver Montrel Meander after the two were charged with felony sexual assault resulting from an on-campus incident back in June.
The two were booted off the team shortly after the charges were filed in late July.
The core values are so obvious and the Rice situation so despicable even before the video was released that it seems hard to believe that Goodell would have to reach out to Strong to gain some type of moral compass, but that's reportedly where things stand for the NFL commissioner at this time after many have called for Goodell's resignation.
If Goodell still doesn't get it, how much can Strong possibly help?