If the Louisville football program ends up hiring Charlie Strong from Florida, I think it would be

a HUGE mistake.   Charlie Strong started as a graduate assistant in 1983 at Florida after his college playing days were over. That means he has been in the coaching business for 26 years.  First, if he was so good, he would have gotten an opportunity a LONG time ago as a head coach at a smaller school like Western Michigan, East Carolina, Temple, New Mexico State, etc. If he does well there, then by all means, give him a shot at a bigger program. But he has done nothing to earn the right to coach a second-tier team like Louisville.

Also, Louisville previously had a black coach in Ron Cooper (1995-1997), and he was a total bust. The disgrace came not when Louisville justifiably fired him, but when the university paid him over a million dollars just so he wouldn't sue them.

I believe if Louisville hires Strong, they are in for the same rude awakening that Cooper gave them when he almost destroyed the program that Schnellenberger worked so hard to build. And then Louisville will be back to paying more hush money to keep the next black man from threatening another lawsuit.

A similar example is Charlie Weis.  Weis was a POOR hire as he had a similar background of no head coaching experience at the college or pro level, and he started in the pros under Parcells 19 years ago. It was a desperation hire at the time for ND, as no one really wanted the job.

And it is only a matter of time before the West Virginia football program declines under long-time assistant Bill Stewart.

Also, Jim Harbaugh at Stanford had no head coaching experience before taking over at Stanford. But he was not lingering around in the business for decades. More or less, Stanford had little to lose by taking a chance on him, and he has done exceptionaly well.

And finally, it appears that Kansas will be hiring Turner Gill as its next head coach.  I am happy for Gill, as I believe he made an excellent career decision.  He at least did a good job at a doormant MAC school in Buffalo.  And Kansas would be a good stepping stone if he can prove he has what it takes at that second-tier football program that has rarely enjoyed any success. 

Quote Originally Posted by vpnyc1:

Maybe he didn't want to leave the Gators for sh*t ass schools such as Western Michigan, East Carolina, Temple or New Mexico St.?? Louisville is in a BCS Conference and will get high level recruits that those other schools mentioned will NEVER get!!

 Great logic.  He is waiting 26 years for a top college program to come knocking on his door.  And I'm waiting for a dead Ed McMahon to bring me my American Family Publishers winnings.  I won't settle for anything small financially; I equally deserve it all now! 

They paid Ron Cooper ABOVE what was owed to him, and that is where I have a problem.  He unfortunately made it a racial issue for any potential future African-American coach at the university.  That being said, I think Turner Gill is much more qualified than Strong since he at least has shown the desire to move up the coaching ladder, and did a VERY GOOD job at Buffalo.  I just don't think Strong ever had the desire to be a head coach; otherwise he would've been pushing for almost any head coaching job at least a decade ago.

Also, Kragthorpe was a joke from the start, as he made LITTLE improvement while he was the head coach at Tulsa.  He has been a buddy of athletic Tom Jurich for many years, and it was obvious cronyism that got him the job.

I think they need to get a young up and coming coach, not one that has remained stale on the assistant coaching front.

 I understand your point, i think the university caved on this one, who knows, ie pressure from boosters/alums/scared he might sue...it's not c.strong's fault he hasn't been looked at. His job is to maintain one of the best defenses in college football. i don't think it's in any coord best interest to go blowing your own horn every time there happens to be an opening. in this age you literally "have to be discovered". At least you know what you're getting in strong (consistent top 5 defenses in SEC) look no further than new mexico hiring m. locksely, what was/is his claim to fame...recruiting, whe'll see what happens with that clueless program. At the end of the day all you can do is your job and continue to coach your ass off, let the chips fall where they may...   good luck w/ your plays in the bowl season