o help me definitely make the right decision to turn pro at what time," said Ko, w

AUSTIN, Texas -- Charlie Strong left a Louisville program that needed to punch its way into the national spotlight for the Texas Longhorns, who live smack in the middle with their enormous wealth, swagger, political intrigue and championship expectations. And thats just the off-the-field stuff. On the field, he inherits a team mired in mediocrity with a 30-21 record over the last four years, but still talented enough to come within 30 minutes of winning a share of the 2013 Big 12 title. Strong will be introduced as the Texas football coach Monday. In a statement released by the school Sunday, Strong said he was excited to be taking over one of the "premier programs" in the country. "Texas is one of those places that is always on your radar and a program anyone would dream of being a part of because you have a chance to compete on a national level every year," Strong said. "Its special because it has such great history, pride, tradition and passion for football." In the 53-year-old Strong -- the first black head coach of a mens program at Texas -- new athletic director Steve Patterson landed a coach whose teams went 23-3 the last two years, including a BCS bowl win over Florida and a blowout of Miami to end the 2013 season in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, who has the No. 1 Seminoles in Monday nights national title game, praised the hire. Fisher was previously considered a possible target for Texas and would have faced Strong in the ACC when Louisville moves to that league next season. "I think hes done a tremendous job at Louisville, turning those guys around," Fisher said Sunday. "I think Charlies an excellent coach." Strong succeeded at a school that had to fight its way onto the national radar even in the good years. At Texas, the bad years draw just as much attention as the good ones, and college football will be watching to see how well he can unite a powerhouse program with a discontented fan base aching to return to the national elite. And how quickly he can win a lot of games. Strongs predecessor did that. Over 16 years, Mack Brown had 158 victories, and in 2005 he won Texas first undisputed national title in 36 years. From 2000-09, Texas averaged more than 10 wins a season and played in four BCS bowls, winning three. That success helped spur unprecedented financial growth. Texas ranks as the wealthiest athletic program in the country. A partnership with ESPN created the Longhorn Network, a 20-year deal worth at least $300 million to the university. But for all its wealth, Texas has struggled to deliver a championship legacy that lives up its sense of grandeur. Brown won just two Big 12 titles, while his archrival across his northern border, Bob Stoops at Oklahoma, won eight. Texas lone national championship in 44 years pales in comparison to Alabamas three from 2009-12. And the recent drop-off that started with a 5-7 record in 2010 got ugly by the end. When Texas started last season 1-2, some Texas fans even booed a public service announcement from Brown encouraging donations to charities. The turmoil also exposed on a national level the political fighting that embroiled the university and attempts by some school officials and prominent supporters to push Brown out a year ago. For more than two years, university regents have been fighting over whether to fire school President Bill Powers, who had been a key ally of Brown. Some of the same regents also were involved in talks with Alabama coach Nick Sabans agent in January 2013 in efforts to coax Saban into coming to Austin. That Strong will be the first African-American head coach of a mens program at Texas is significant at a school that resisted integration in the 1950s and 60s and had college footballs last all-white national champion in 1969. "This is a historic day for The University of Texas and a historic hire for our football team," Powers said. Until 2010, Texas had a residence hall named after former law school professor William Stewart Simkins, a Confederate colonel who also was an early organizer of the Ku Klux Klan in Florida after the Civil War. Texas is still fighting legal battles over race. Only now the school wants to keep an affirmative action admissions policy that allows the school to consider race for some applicants. But former Texas womens track coach Bev Kearney, who was pressured to resign in 2013 after revelations of a relationship with one of her athletes, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Texas, arguing race was a factor in her case. Kearney is black. In 2009, just before he was hired at Louisville, Strong complained that hed been passed over for another job in part because his wife is white. Strong said it was difficult to leave Louisville, the school that was willing to give him his first head coaching job. "They have been great to me and my family, and it was very hard to say goodbye," Strong said. "But they know this was an opportunity I couldnt pass up." Kyle Wilber Jersey . CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. John Matuszak Jersey . Murray, the defending champion and No. 3 seed, claimed his first match win at Queens in 2005 and went on to win the Wimbledon warmup three times. But he failed to take advantage of eight set points after leading the first-set tiebreaker 6-2, and Stepanek survived to convert with his second set point. http://www.officialraidersgear.com/Raiders-Kolton-Miller-Draft-Jersey/ .Mack, a reserve guard who came in averaging 3.8 points, made all six of his 3-pointers as the Hawks went 16 for 28 from behind the arc.Trailing 50-38 midway through the second quarter, Atlanta outscored Cleveland 89-48 the rest of the way and sent the Cavaliers to their largest loss of the season. http://www.officialraidersgear.com/Raiders-Ronnie-Lott-Draft-Jersey/ .ca has you covered for whos in, whos out and what to expect from all 30 teams. Johnny Townsend Jersey . -- Hal Steinbrenner says Alex Rodriguez is "a great player" and "obviously an asset," but the New York Yankees managing general partner wouldnt discuss the third basemans possible return to the team following a season-long suspension.EDMONTON -- Teenage golf phenom Lydia Ko made history Sunday at the CN Canadian Womens Open. The 16-year-old from New Zealand shot a final round 64 to finish at 15 under for a five-stroke victory over Karine Icher. Ko became the youngest winner of an LPGA event last year when she won the Canadian Open at the Vancouver Golf Club at age 15. With Sundays victory, she becomes the first amateur in history to win two LPGA events. Ko started the day one shot back, but shredded the course at Royal Mayfair Golf Club with five birdies on the front nine and never looked back. She had seven birdies in total and curled in a birdie putt from 16 feet out on the final hole to cap the day. "I hit a really good drive on one and I kept it to the fairway, and I think that kind of got my momentum going," Ko said. "I was in a little bit more of a pressure position (as defending champion), so I was really happy with my 64." Unfortunately winning is becoming an expensive proposition for Ko, who was born in South Korea but grew up in New Zealand. As an amateur, she cannot accept the $300,000 first prize, which instead goes to Icher. Ko has played in 14 LPGA events over the last two years, leaving almost $1 million in prize money on the table. Ko said shes still considering asking the LPGA for an exemption to let her turn pro before shes 18. "Ive got some people above me like my mom and dad. Theyre the boss, and theyre going to help me definitely make the right decision to turn pro at what time," said Ko, who shot 265 over the tournaments four rounds. "As Im only 16 its quite hard to make huge decisions. And when I turn pro its like a job, where money is all about it and every shot counts." Ko has always said her driving is the strength of her game, and proved it again this week by hitting 45 of 56 fairways and 56 of 72 greens in regulation. Icher, ranked 24th, had her best finish of the season. The 24-year-old from France carded four birdies to go with one bogey Sunday to finish 10 under for the tournament. Canada has been good to Icher, who finished 5th in July at the Manulife Classic in Waterloo, Ont. Icher said her game improved throughout the week. "I would like to play tomorrow," she said. "It was a good day today. Im very happy with my game. More putts got in." She saidd Kos feat was impressive.dddddddddddd "Shes amazing. Sixteen years-old and to win twice. She has no fear, I guess," said Icher. "Its incredible. As an amateur and so young, its great for womens golf, but not so great for us (on tour)," she laughed. Swedens Caroline Hedwall began the day with a one-shot lead, but could not match her lights out 6-under performance from the third round. "I was trying to keep up with (Ko), but at the same time I couldnt hit it as close and I couldnt make as many putts," said Hedwall, who finished at 9 under overall after shooting a 71. "She was just really impressive today." Brittany Lincicome of the U.S. wound up tied for third with Hedwall after shooting a 69. It was a disappointing tournament for the top two players on tour. No. 1 ranked Inbee Park was carving up the putting greens and held a share of the lead heading into Saturdays third round only to see her game fall apart. She finished 11 strokes back in a tie for 13th. "My putting just didnt want to go in the hole like the (first) two days," Park said. "Nothing wants to drop. You get those kind of days." Park said she switched putters for this tournament because the insert on her first one was worn out. "I dont know, I might go back to my old one," she laughed. No. 2 Stacy Lewis racked up five bogeys on her first seven holes in the first-round Thursday before withdrawing due to illness. Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., was the top Canadian. Richdale shot three-over 73 to finish the tournament tied for 62nd, 23 strokes off the pace. "I had an OK day today," Richdale said. "I struggled with my ball striking. I think I hit only eight greens, which makes things pretty tough. "I would have liked to have made a few more ups and downs, but thats the way it goes." Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont., ended up 72nd. She shot six-over 76 to finish 30 strokes behind Ko. "I had a lot of fun on the front side," Shepley said. "I hit it really, really well. I wish I could have made a couple of putts. I had a lot of putts I could have made and I think things could have been very different early on." The other 18 Canadians in the field, including veteran Lorie Kane of Charlottetown, did not make the cut. Authentic Bills Jerseys Dolphins Stitched Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Wholesale Jets Jerseys Wholesale Texans Jerseys Cheap Colts Jerseys Jaguars Jerseys Store Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Chargers Jerseys Store Cheap Ravens Jerseys Wholesale Bengals Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys Steelers Jerseys Store Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys Wholesale Giants Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Panthers Jerseys Store Wholesale Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Wholesale Cardinals Jerseys Cheap 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys Store Wholesale Rams Jerseys Wholesale Bears Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Cheap Packers Jerseys Vikings Jerseys Store ' ' '