Texas is reportedly 'very close' to firing Charlie Strong which could open up a bidding war for Houston's Tom Herman

Charlie Strong could be out as the Texas Longhorns head coach by the end of the season, according to a report by Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated.

According to the report, a high-ranking Texas official told Sports Illustrated that Strong is "very close" to being fired at the end of the season.

This comes after Texas lost back-to-back games to Cal and Oklahoma State after a promising start to the season. That start included a win over then-10th ranked Notre Dame.

Thamel writes that Texas is expected to go after Houston coach Tom Herman as "its top choice."

In an associated video report, Stuart Mandel speculates that Texas is not prepared to fire Strong mid-season, but that they want it to be known that the position will eventually be available in order to get involved in the impending bidding war for Herman.

After LSU fired Les Miles earlier this season, it was reported that they would go after Herman or Florida State's Jimbo Fisher. Mandel speculates that USC could also go after Herman if they decide to fire Clay Helton.

Herman, who is in just his second season as a head coach at Houston, is considered one of the hottest coaching candidates in the country. He has the American Athletic Conference school ranked No. 6 in the latest AP poll, one season after going 13-1 and finished No. 8 in the country, including a win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.

Strong is in his third season as coach at Texas. He is yet to post a winning record, going 13-16 overall.