We all knew this was coming sooner or later before the beginning of next season. Mack Brown’s Texas Longhorns have had trouble winning all season, and have struggled as of recently in the Big 12 conference.

After 16 years as the Texas coach, Mack Brown officially stepped down and resigned as the head coach on Saturday.

Texas had a disappointing season, and with a record of 8-4, they will be heading to the Alamo Bowl to play against Oregon on December 30th. For a full list of the bowl games, check out the full schedule here.

Despite the past couple of disappointing seasons, Brown has had a very successful career during his tenure as the Texas football coach.

Over the 16 years as coach, he had an impressive record of 158-47, and from 2000-09, Texas averaged a national-best 11 victories per year, had seven top-10 finishes, played in four Bowl Championship Series games and won its first national championship since 1970.

Realizing that his departure could be what is best for the program, Mack Brown has decided to resign, but hopes that Texas can regain the power that they used to have has a leading football program. He wishes nothing but the best for the team after leaving when saying “I sincerely want (UT) to get back to the top and that’s why I am stepping down after the bowl game. I hope with some new energy, we can get this thing rolling again.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Rf1HbyReg

He will join the team in the Alamo Bowl for one last game, but will not be returning next year. As a 62-year-old coach, and veteran at Texas, Mack Brown earns about $5.4 million per year, and was contracted until 2020. He led the Longhorns to one National Championship, and almost made it to another before the team started to decline.

In 2013, the team suffered two early losses to BYU and Ole Miss, causing a downhill spiral from there, and a Big 12 record of 7-2. Due to the recent failures of the team, there have been rumors buzzing around the league on whether Mack Brown would be replaced by Alabama’s Nick Saban. However, Saban seems to be staying put for now, and was unable to be lured away by Texas.

Sorry to hear that Mack Brown has made it official tonight in Austin. He has stepped down after 16 yrs as Head Coach for the Longhorns.

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 15, 2013

I love Mack Brown. #class #hookem

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) December 15, 2013

Despite the recent downfall of Texas’ footbal program, Mack Brown had a very successful tenure and will be held in high regard by fans of Texas football.

Mack Brown says stepping away from this job will likely add 10 years to his life. #mackbrown

— Jon Madani (@Zone_Madani) December 15, 2013

Image via Youtube