The University of Texas fired basketball coach Rodney Terry after a disappointing first season in the Southeastern Conference and another quick exit from the NCAA Tournament.

Texas interim coach Rodney Terry is in the midst of a long audition.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte urged Texas fans on Tuesday not to “splinter or pull apart” but rather support first-year football coach Steve Sarkisian and the players during the program’s worst losing streak in 65 years.

The board of regents for the University of Texas has voted unanimously to accept an invitation for the Longhorns to join the Southeastern Conference.

University of Texas athletic officials in October told Longhorn football players they had to remain on the field postgame for “The Eyes of Texas” sing-along with fans because donors were upset by athletes protesting the game day tradition, two Longhorn football players told The Texas Tribune. That player asked not to be named, for fear of retribution by the university and donors. He said it was Del Conte who told players that donors were unhappy and threatening to pull financial support. “I never said this nor would I say this to a student-athlete, and I’ve never heard it from any donors or alumni. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

This comes after the firing of previous head coach Tom Herman, as announced Saturday. Original:Tom Herman has been fired as head football coach of the Texas Longhorns. We thank Coach Herman for his service and dedication to our student-athletes, our program and our university,” university officials said in a statement. His final game as Longhorns head coach was a victory over Colorado in the 2020 Valero Alamobowl. According to reports, Texas is looking to hire Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to replace Herman.

AUSTIN, Texas – Saturday’s college football game between Texas and Kansas has been canceled following a spread of COVID-19 cases among Longhorns players and staff. Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte released a statement that read in part:“We are pausing all football team activities and shutting down football training facilities to get a COVID-19 spread among our Football program under control. We currently have nine student-athletes and 13 staff members who have tested positive this week, all of whom are in self-isolation. “We’re extremely disappointed that we won’t be able to play our final regular season game at Kansas this week, but look forward to returning to action for our bowl game in the coming weeks,” said Del Conte. Other high profile games cancelled or postponed this week include Ohio State vs. Michigan and Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss.

The University of Texas at Austin's final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas was cancelled after a COVID-19 outbreak infected nine players and 13 staff members. The University of Texas at Austin’s final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting nine players and 13 staff members. The UT game against Kansas had already been rescheduled due to an outbreak on the Kansas team last month. It’s the only game Texas did not play this fall amid the pandemic. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The end of Charlie Strong’s tenure at Texas was probably sealed with a late-season loss to lowly Kansas. Four years later, Tom Herman's tenure could likewise be decided in the Sunflower State. And perhaps most importantly, Texas likely will sitting out the Big 12 title game again, regardless of what happens against the Wildcats and Kansas. “If you truly love the game of football and you love your teammates and you love this program, and you're doing it for the right reasons, every game matters,” Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger said. “It's another opportunity to play the game you love.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas coach Tom Herman said Monday there is no mandate that his players stay on the field for the post-game singing of the school song, an issue that has erupted into controversy among Longhorns fans. “Nobody, from Chris Del Conte to myself to any other coaches, have mandated our players do anything,” Herman said. Herman said Monday he continues to encourage players to sing or stay on the field to show appreciation for the school and fans, but will respect those who don't. The players were told over the summer they didn't have to sing the song. “I respect the hell out of our team and our team leaders for fostering that environment of inclusivity,” Herman said.

Many athletics officials seized on that number, including UT-Austin Athletics Director Chris Del Conte as recently as last week. At Texas Tech University, officials are also looking at capping stadium capacity at 25%. The Texas Tech athletics department is projecting a loss of $14.1 million from interrupted ticket sales and other pandemic-related expenses, athletics director Kirby Horcutt has said. The Big 12 Conference which includes Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech and the No. Disclosure: Texas A&M, Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

A University of Texas football game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 7, 2019. Eddie Gaspar/The Daily TexanThe University of Texas at Austin will kick off the football season Sept. 5, albeit with a stadium open at half its capacity, athletics officials told ticket holders Monday. I want you to know that as we are working toward hosting football games this season, our number one priority remains the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and fans," Del Conte wrote. But officials have pushed forward with kicking off the football season as planned. Earlier this month, Del Conte said the annual game between the Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners would continue, even as organizers canceled the State Fair of Texas, held on the same weekend and in close proximity.

Four days after University of Texas at Austin football players began voluntary summer workouts, school officials confirmed that 13 athletes have tested positive for the new coronavirus. All 13 players are now self-isolating, while 10 other student athletes are in self-quarantine and are asymptomatic, according to a Thursday press release. Last week, UT reported two players were self-isolating after testing positive. The university also said four players have tested positive for antibodies. We will continue to report the number of cases as we receive confirmation and clearance to do so.