New Texas football coach Charlie Strong promises Longhorns will be tough

photo In this Dec. 5, 2013, file photo, Louisville head coach Charlie Strong watches from the sidelines in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Cincinnati.

By JIM VERTUNO

AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas - New Texas football coach Charlie Strong says the Longhorns will field a mentally and physically tough team as he tries to push the program back among the national elite.

Texas introduced its new coach at a 45-minute news conference today. Strong breezed through with jokes and smiles before ending it with a "Hook'em Horns" hand signal.

Strong also acknowledged the historical significance of being the school's first African-American head coach of a men's sport.

Strong spent the last four seasons at Louisville and went 23-3 the last two years. He takes over for Mack Brown, who stepped down last month after 16 seasons.

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