Goodell meets with Texas coach Strong

The Associated Press

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Texas coach Charlie Strong on Sunday to talk about the core values Strong uses to run his program.

“We discussed setting standards, and taking a stand on who we are as football leaders,” NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told The Associated Press on Sunday. “Charlie Strong is doing that. It is a difficult process changing culture, not for the light-hearted. But, as we know at the NFL, it is a process that must be endured with the goals of high standards, excellence and accountability.”

The NFL is re-evaluating its personal conduct policy after Goodell admitted mishandling the disciplinary process for former Ravens running back Ray Rice, who struck his then-fiancee in a casino elevator.

Strong has dismissed nine players during his first year as Texas coach.

“Coach Strong is setting a precedent on leadership by not compromising on high standards and the value of football,” Vincent said. “He provided us valuable insight on how he establishes standards, gets buy-in from his student athletes and holds them accountable.

“Coach Strong has taken a firm stance on violence against women and stressing core values as a prerequisite to playing on his team. He believes that winning starts with life principles and is building his program based on core values. We believe this is a model that should be emulated across the country in both amateur and professional football.”

Vincent, a former star NFL player and president of the players’ union, said the meeting “provided valuable insight on how the NFL and college programs can collaborate on these issues going forward.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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