AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas coach Charlie Strong addressed on Wednesday his frustrations with the persistent rumors that he's interested in the coaching vacancy at Miami and insisted he remains determined to get a struggling Longhorns program fixed.
During a brief post-practice news conference, Strong said the continued speculation that he'll be a candidate at Miami is "all a rumor" and reiterated he's not looking to leave.
"We're here to build a program. It's why I came here," Strong said. "I know we've still got a ways to go and we have great support from our president and also from our AD, Greg [Fenves] and Mike [Perrin]. They know what the situation is. We know this: The coaching staff, everyone's on board, and we know that we've got to get things done here."
Strong denied having interest in the Miami job Oct. 26 following Al Golden's dismissal, but that hasn't quieted the noise and rumors that Strong is considered a front-runner for the job. The Palm Beach Post reported Wednesday, citing a source, that Miami officials have zeroed in on Strong as their top candidate but are waiting to see whether he'll first be fired by Texas.
Fenves and Perrin, who both took office within the past six months, have consistently expressed their full support for Strong and his rebuilding efforts. Texas is 10-13 under Strong and, at 4-6 with games against Texas Tech and No. 10 Baylor left, at risk of not going to a bowl game for just the third time in 22 years.
"We've just got to get better. We haven't. In two years, we haven't gotten better," Strong said. "We're not where we want to be. We know the future is very bright and we've got some outstanding players. We've got to make sure they just continue to improve over the next few years."
Strong said he believes he has the administrative support he needs at Texas, and he says he has an "unbelievable job." He doesn't know where the continued speculation is coming from, but he's not looking to leave.
"The thing I've got to do is continue to work here and get this done," Strong said. "It's important that I have to be successful here. There's no doubt. There's too many people counting on me and on us to get it done.
"We have an unbelievable fan base, unbelievable support from our alums. We've got to get it done. I can see where it's upsetting and everybody's disappointed. Nobody's more frustrated than I am. When you go out to play, you want to win. That's what it's all about, go win football games."
Strong also announced Wednesday that Texas' top rusher, sophomore running back D'Onta Foreman, will undergo finger surgery this week. His status for the Texas Tech game on Thanksgiving is uncertain.