South Florida hires ex-Texas coach Charlie Strong

Former Texas coach Charlie Strong has been hired to become the next head coach at South Florida, the school announced Sunday.

Strong was fired by the Longhorns after going 16-21 in three seasons. Texas went 5-7 in 2016.

"Charlie is a tremendous leader and mentor for our student-athletes and a widely-respected coach with a resume full of achievements at the highest levels of college football," USF athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. "He combines a drive to win with great integrity and deep, long-standing connections in the state of Florida. The future of USF football is very bright under his direction."

Strong, 56, agreed to a five-year deal with the Bulls, according to ESPN's Chris Low. Strong will become only the fourth head coach in USF's 20-year football history.

"I am humbled that we have a shared commitment to take this university and this football program to even greater heights," Strong said in a statement released by USF. "Some of the best football talent in the country is right here in the Bay Area and throughout the state of Florida, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with the young men in the USF football program and build on the strong foundation already in place."

Strong met with USF officials in Tampa on Friday and Saturday after having preliminary conversations by phone with school officials earlier in the week, according to ESPN.

Strong will replace Willie Taggart, who accepted the Oregon head-coaching job on Wednesday.

USF went 10-2 this season and will face South Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 29.

Strong and Taggart had discussions about the USF job over the weekend, a source told ESPN. Taggart was one of several coaches who had interest in Strong as a defensive coordinator.

Part of Strong's decision-making process involved deciding whether to immediately take another top coaching position or accept a job as a defensive coordinator. The Longhorns reportedly owe Strong $10 million over the next two seasons.

Strong's reputation as a defensive guru reached its zenith when he was defensive coordinator of two national championship teams (2006, 2008) at Florida under Urban Meyer.

Strong became head coach at Louisville prior to the 2010 season and compiled a 37-15 record in four years, including a 12-1 mark in 2013 before leaving for Texas.