Texas' Charlie Strong took the podium after Friday's loss to TCU with a somber tone.

The third-year coach didn't start talking about the team's loss. Rather, he chose to reflect on his three years in the program, knowing a decision will be made on his job in the near future.

"I came here to win a national championship and I came here to change lives," Strong said. "I just felt like I knew I would impact the players that are inside the locker room, the player that have been through that locker room."

Strong said his biggest priority was aiding his players both on and off the field. He said wanted to inspire them and put them on the right track to achieve their long-term goals.

"When you're at the top 1 percent of 1 percent, which this is, and you're at an unbelievable university, then you have the chance to impact a minority who wants to be a CEO of IBM or wants to be the CFO of a major corporation," Strong said.

Texas' players have raved about Strong's influence as a role model. Senior defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. called him a "father figure," while other players said he changed their lives.

"We love that man," sophomore linebacker Malik Jeffeson said. "He's made us better players and better men, of course, on and off the field.

Still, Strong knows the wins and losses aren't in his favor. Texas is now 16–21 under his control, and the team finished 5–7 two years in a row.

Strong said inconsistent play and pressure to save his job haunted his players throughout the last two years. But he still believes the team can accomplish big things in the future — including winning a national title — with or without him as head coach.

"This team is going to be stronger and it's going to be much better and I'm just excited about what's coming back," Strong said. "The cake has been baked. The only thing you need to do now is put the icing on it and slice it. That's what my team is."