Strong heads to Louisville

By John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent



Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong was the architect of a dominant Florida defense the past 5 seasons. coordinator. Now he will channel that energy towards Louisville as their next Head Coach.

Strong was hired by Louisville Wednesday to help revitalize a program that lost its shine under former coach Steve Kragthorpe.
Strong has been one of the hottest coaches in the country the last few seasons. His defenses were energetic and terrifying for opposing foes in the SEC.

Strong will have his work cut out for him. He has to restore the luster of a nomadic fan base that mailed it in during the Kragthorpe era. The Cardinal’s struggles the last three seasons led to Kragthorpe’s dismissal on Nov. 28.
According to Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich the defining factor in Strong’s hire stemmed from the devotion and enthusiastic nature he exhibited with his players
"I've done a lot of homework with this hire, and I was amazed how well-respected and revered Charlie Strong is throughout the country," Jurich said. "He commands a lot of respect from people within the game, including ex-players and coaches around college football."

Strong's contract is not yet completed and his plans to coach in the Sugar Bowl are up in the air as well.
It funny to think that just three years ago Louisville was a team that won the Orange Bowl and finished 6th in the nation. Jurich hopes Strong can restore the program to those heights and especially bring back support that grew disenchanted. If you need anymore proof check the attendance at the season finale.

A crowd of 23,000 turned out for the Rutgers game and with Papa John’s stadium expanding to 55,000 seats they must show signs of filling up before next year's opener against rival Kentucky.
Florida’s defenses ranked top-20 national in 10 statistical categories under Strong. This same defense helped Florida capture two national titles.

The Gators have not missed a beat this fall finishing third in the nation in scoring defense and fourth in total defense.
He'll have to get work immediately as Louisville’s defense is far from dominant. It was one of the reasons the Cardinals fell from the Big East penthouse to their cellar.

Louisville ranked 67th nationally in both total defense and scoring defense this year despite significant improvements.
Jurich took his time looking for a replacement unlike back in 2007 after Petrino bolted for the NFL.
Strong was considered Jurich's top candidate all along and waited until Florida was done with their regular season before they contacted him. While Strong was on the top of list other candidates received contact as well.
Jurich also talked with former Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer about the job a week ago.

Despite bringing a strong defensive mind to Louisville, Strong also carries deep recruiting ties in the South that would welcome future blue chippers to Louisville. Kragthorpe looked west for prospects instead of raiding the bluegrass and sunshine states.
Strong becomes the 11th black head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision and the fourth one hired in the last month.