Off to Strong start at Texas

[Harry]

DALLAS - New Texas coach Charlie Strong's first order of business while making his formal introduction to Big 12 Conference peers on Tuesday was to slightly play down high expectations.

"You expect them to have expectations at the University of Texas because you're looking at a premier program," Strong said on the second and final day of the conference's media assembly. "But it's all about our players and just making sure we go compete. We as a coaching staff need to make sure the preparation is there.

"When you get caught up in the expectations, I don't ever want to put pressure on our team. I just want them to go out and just go to work each and every day."

Strong will begin his first season at Texas in the Longhorns' opener at home against North Texas on Aug. 30.

He replaces Mack Brown, who resigned in January after an 8-5 season -- disappointing by Texas standards -- and wilting under the expectations of a fan base that wants to be a national contender every year.

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