Hats off to Charlie Strong

[geromeo77]

So many times we see coaches jumping ship after being at a school just a few years. I understand when its a big jump and a big opportunity but in most cases its a lateral move. Props to Charlie for staying at Lousville and building his own legacy, not in the footsteps of others

[4Ever2Thee]

I was thinking the same thing, turning down a big SEC job to fulfill your promises

[Jwilson]

Originally Posted by geromeo77

So many times we see coaches jumping ship after being at a school just a few years. I understand when its a big jump and a big opportunity but in most cases its a lateral move. Props to Charlie for staying at Lousville and building his own legacy, not in the footsteps of others

Aw, baloney. If they had offered him Bama, he'd been gone. Nobody in their right mind that has a decent job would leave it for that trian wreck in Knoxvlile.

[Halltj2]

If he's there 8 years from now, and they've won a national title, props to him.

But right now I think he realizes his chances of success are better at Louisville then UT.

[catdaddy66]

You would be surprised at the people that would kill to coach at UT! They aren't offering any Tom, Dick or Harry. A name coach like CS turning them down is a mark of character because he has seen the train wreck and feels more can be accomplished at Louisville. Even though the grass may be greener, it still needs to be mowed!

You're a good man, Charlie Strong!

[Emery]

Originally Posted by Jwilson

Aw, baloney. If they had offered him Bama, he'd been gone. Nobody in their right mind that has a decent job would leave it for that trian wreck in Knoxvlile.

Exactly...this tells me more about how God-awful the UT job is right now when a coach would prefer to stay in Louisville trying to fill a 50 000 seat stadium.

Plus they have played two top 25 teams in 3 years and lost one of them. This season not a single team in the top 25 and they have dropped games to Syracuse and UConn.

He still has a whole hell of a lot to accomplish at Louisville before I would be happy to have him as our head coach.

[Coulwoodwarlord]

The Tennesse job is gonna be a meat grinder for whoever takes it. I think Charlies decision was more like...........Discretion is the better part of valor.

[I Bleed Garnet]

his chances at a BCS bowl are easier. Lets see where he is in 3 more years.

[FanofCarolina1]

I bet the UT football team feels like a bunch of step children because no one wants to be their coach.

[robgusc76]

Originally Posted by FanofCarolina1

I bet the UT football team feels like a bunch of step children because no one wants to be their coach.

Someone needs to tell the players its not them. its the reputation of the athletic department that makes the job unattractive.

[Rewster]

I'm happy because a CS coached Tenn would scare me.

[RiverCock84]

Strong is waiting for Spurrier to retire.

[Rebel4ever]

When the right job comes along he fills comfortable with it'll be so long Louisville. Tennessee is not the right job right now and who knows when it will be.

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Originally Posted by Rebel4ever

When the right job comes along he fills comfortable with it'll be so long Louisville. Tennessee is not the right job right now and who knows when it will be.

I could see him coming back to Columbia. That is as long as his tenure at Louisville is successful and it coincides with Spurrier's departure.

[Don Giovanni]

I see where you're coming from, but it really shouldn't have been a tough decision. He currently has Louisville heading in the right direction, will be moving to a conference that's a little higher profile (which happens to be very winnable), and he got a hefty raise just for expressing interest in another job. Also, his family is already in Kentucky.

So given a choice between his current situation and the UT job (program needs rebuilding, MUCH tougher conference, and family would be uprooted), it seems like it was a no-brainer.

[donbgamecock]

Originally Posted by Don Giovanni

I see where you're coming from, but it really shouldn't have been a tough decision. He currently has Louisville heading in the right direction, will be moving to a conference that's a little higher profile (which happens to be very winnable), and he got a hefty raise just for expressing interest in another job. Also, his family is already in Kentucky.

So given a choice between his current situation and the UT job (program needs rebuilding, MUCH tougher conference, and family would be uprooted), it seems like it was a no-brainer.

I couldn't agree more. The only thing I would add is that the TN alum and fan base will eat their own and they are expecting a miracle worker to step right in and have them competing for the SEC championship and return them to the glory days.

[usc90grad]

Yeah this was about UT, not Charlie Strong's commitment to Louisville. Keep in mind, he did interview for the job...and Louisville responded by throwing him a ton of cash.

[Gamecock Rob]

I heard a while back, SC and UF were likely the 2 jobs Charlie would bolt for.

[Gamecock Rob]

Originally Posted by usc90grad

Yeah this was about UT, not Charlie Strong's commitment to Louisville. Keep in mind, he did interview for the job...and Louisville responded by throwing him a ton of cash.

Which could have been his plan all along, was damn sure Gundy's

[garnetpreacher]

Tennessee offers a ton more opportunity than Louisville. It is refreshing to see a coach honor his commitment to a school that gave him a shot. It took strong a long time to get this opportunity and many schools passed him over before Louisville stepped up.