What Is 2014 Texas Longhorns football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6–7 record under head coach Mack Brown, who was replaced by Charlie Strong after the season.

Key Facts

Finished the 2014 season with a 6–7 overall record
Played in the 2014 Alamo Bowl against Oregon on January 2, 2015
Head coach Mack Brown resigned after the regular season
Charlie Strong became head coach starting in January 2015
Lost to Oregon 30–31 in the Alamo Bowl

Overview

The 2014 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the 2014 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing as a member of the Big 12 Conference, the team was led by head coach Mack Brown for most of the season before his resignation was announced in December 2014. The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, qualifying them for a bowl game despite a challenging schedule and inconsistent offensive performance.

Under interim leadership, Texas played in the Valero Alamo Bowl on January 2, 2015, facing the Oregon Ducks. The game was a narrow defeat, 30–31, marking the end of a transitional year for the program. The 2014 season also marked the final year of Mack Brown’s 16-season tenure, concluding with a total of 158 wins and two Big 12 championships during his era.

Record: The team finished the season with a 6–7 overall record, including a 4–5 mark in Big 12 Conference play.
Head Coaching Change: Mack Brown announced his resignation in December 2014, ending a 16-year run as head coach of the Longhorns.
Bowl Game: The Longhorns played in the 2014 Alamo Bowl on January 2, 2015, facing the Oregon Ducks in San Antonio, Texas.
Final Game Result: Texas lost to Oregon 30–31 in a tightly contested Alamo Bowl, missing a potential game-winning two-point conversion.
Quarterback Play: David Ash started the season but retired due to concussions; Tyrone Swoopes and eventually Jerrod Heard saw significant action.

How It Works

The 2014 Texas Longhorns football season operated under the structure of NCAA Division I FBS rules, including an 11-game regular season schedule followed by a bowl game for eligible teams. The team’s performance was shaped by coaching decisions, player development, and conference alignment within the Big 12.

Season Format: The NCAA FBS season includes 12 regular-season games; Texas played 12, including a conference schedule and non-conference matchups.
Coaching Transition: Mack Brown coached the first 12 games; Charlie Strong officially took over on January 5, 2015, after the bowl game.
Player Eligibility: Players must maintain academic and athletic eligibility under NCAA rules, with redshirt and transfer options available.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams must win at least six games to qualify for a bowl; Texas reached 6–6, securing Alamo Bowl participation.
Conference Play: The Big 12 uses a round-robin format; Texas played nine conference games in 2014, facing each member once.
Recruiting Impact: The 2014 class included future contributors like Soso Jamabo and Jordan Elliott, shaping Strong’s rebuilding efforts.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 Texas Longhorns’ performance can be better understood when compared to recent seasons and peer programs in the Big 12 Conference.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
2012	9–4	5–4	Alamo Bowl (W)	Mack Brown
2013	8–5	7–2	Holiday Bowl (L)	Mack Brown
2014	6–7	4–5	Alamo Bowl (L)	Mack Brown / Charlie Strong
2015	5–7	4–5	No Bowl	Charlie Strong
2016	5–7	2–7	No Bowl	Charlie Strong

This table shows a clear decline in performance from 2012 to 2014, with the 2014 season marking the beginning of a multi-year rebuilding phase. While Texas remained competitive in individual games, defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency contributed to a losing record. The transition from Brown to Strong signaled a shift in program culture and expectations, though immediate results were not evident.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a pivotal moment in Texas football history, representing both the end of an era and the start of a challenging rebuild. Its outcomes influenced recruiting, coaching strategy, and fan expectations for years to come.

End of an Era: Mack Brown’s departure marked the close of a 16-year tenure that included a national championship appearance in 2005.
Rebuilding Phase: Charlie Strong inherited a roster lacking depth, leading to two losing seasons in his first two years.
Recruiting Shift: Strong prioritized speed and athleticism, altering the team’s recruiting profile compared to previous years.
Program Prestige: The loss to Oregon in the Alamo Bowl highlighted the gap between Texas and elite programs in the playoff era.
Fan Engagement: Attendance and morale dipped, reflecting growing frustration with the team’s national standing.
Long-Term Impact: The 2014 season set the stage for Texas’ eventual resurgence under Tom Herman and later Steve Sarkisian.

The 2014 Texas Longhorns season, while not successful on the scoreboard, played a crucial role in reshaping the program’s trajectory. It underscored the need for modernization in coaching, player development, and strategic planning in college football’s evolving landscape.