On the weekly Big 12 teleconference on Monday morning, Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong declined to address widespread Sunday evening reports that he will take full control of the defense from embattled coordinator Vance Bedford.
Texas coach Charlie Strong begins weekly presser. "I'm going to run the defense and call the defense." Bedford will coach secondary.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 3, 2016
Strong did indeed address pending changes to his staff’s defensive responsibilities at his weekly media availability at 11 a.m. CT on Longhorn Network and on the TexasSports.com video player by confirming the reports of Bedford’s demotion.
Notable about the teleconference was the fact that Strong declined to deny those reports, which indicated his eventual demotion of Bedford to take over defensive game planning and play calling after admitting to calling “a few” plays on defense against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday.
CS on why this move didnt happen last week: "It felt at this time right now, it was a move that needed to be made." #Hookem
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) October 3, 2016
The Texas head coach will also likely have to address why he didn’t make these changes after promising to fix the defense heading into the bye week following the loss to the California Golden Bears.
Strong said secondary coach Clay Jennings will remain on the staff because “we need two secondary coaches.”
Strong on Mike Perrin being here today: “I guess he’s making sure I’m okay, huh. I haven’t jumped off the stadium yet.” #HookEm #Longhorns
— Horns247 (@Horns247) October 3, 2016