Report: Texas denies report that Mack Brown will step down as coach

Mack Brown has spent 16 years as Texas football coach. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Texas has denied an Orangebloods.com report that Mack Brown will step down as the head coach of the Longhorns after 16 years, reports ESPN.com's Joe Schad.

Brown told Horns247's Bobby Burton in a text message that, "I haven't seen (the) article. I'm in Florida recruiting. If I had decided to step down I sure wouldn't be killing myself down here. I have not decided to step down."

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Brown came under fire early this season as the Longhorns looked unimpressive in their first games, and the school hired a new AD after longtime Mack Brown supporter DeLoss Dodds stepped down after 32 years in the role. Despite the concerns, Brown brought the team to within one game of a Big 12 championship by season's end, losing the de facto championship game to Baylor on Saturday.

Brown reportedly has a buyout of $2.75 million for the remainder of his contract, which is set to expire in 2020.

The team is scheduled to take on Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl on December 30.

Brown has a 158-47 record at Texas and led the team to a BCS National Championship in 2005.

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