Jurich talks with Strong, no decision made
Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said he spent "several hours" with Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong Sunday in Gainesville, as the two sides gauged each other's interest in the Cardinals' vacant head-coaching job.
"I was very, very impressed by him," Jurich said. "He's a quality guy."
However, Jurich said he did not offer the job to Strong. He said he anticipates continuing to discuss the position with Strong over the next day or two -- probably by phone, as Strong travels to Arkansas Monday as a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
"We've got a little more work to do," Jurich said. "I know Florida wants to keep him."
...
Jurich spent last week doing research on candidates for the Louisville job. Among those who gave him a strong recommendation of Strong was former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.
"Not a bad recommendation," Jurich said.
7 months ago
Mike Rutherford
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“I know Florida want to keep him.”
Is this some kind of code language? Is Florida pulling strings behind the scenes making it tough to get Strong, or is this a convenient exceuse for Jurich because he doesn’t want to hire Strong? Or am I reading too much into one sentence?
Florida wants to keep him
He’s a recruiting machine.
Whether or not that would translate to Louisville is of great concern to me, but that is true of any candidate.
by BR7 on Dec 7, 2009 9:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Could mean:
1. Florida really wants to keep him and Strong might prefer not to come here.
2. Jurich isn’t impressed and wants to start setting up the excuses for not hiring him.
3. Jurich wants to increase our anticipation of Strong and make him seem more desirable for when the hire is announced.
4. Jurich will need more money to hire Strong and he’s trying to get the donors ready to take out their check books.
My bet is on 3.
Yes, 3 and possibly 4
I think Florida is bringing a counteroffer as a favor to Strong in order to drive up Louisville’s bid. After the Kragthorpe debacle, I also think Jurich wants to diligently gauge the candidate himself rather than rely on his contacts.
^This
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."
by geoffissiffoeg on Dec 7, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
What the hell does that mean?
Sounds like the same old same old from this guy. He has not been chosen or has passed on other jobs. He could be a flight risk within a couple of years. TJ should go get a fucking name coach with some experience that is not too big for his britches.
Can't say I agree...
the fact that Auburn spent the better part of four years trying to get rid of him gives me pause
by quiet cardinal on Dec 8, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions
My thoughts.
Maybe I’m overlooking something, but this was just one sentence that came out of Jurich’s mouth. I think people are reading into it a bit too much. My bet is he is hired by the end of the week and he’ll hit the recruiting trail hard during the bowl season. I hope I’m not playing this down too much, but I think it’s just Jurich trying to make Strong look even better in the eyes of the fans.
Rebuttals and Possible Explanation
3 things first:
1) What HC jobs has Strong turned down—Vandy and Kansas State?
2) Virtually every coach in college football is a flight risk. Hire the right guy for right now and worry about flight risk later…this is Louisville football—we won 4 games this season & haven’t been to a bowl game in 3 yrs.
3) My biased opinion is that Louisville’s stone is more attractive to step onto than Strong’s previous HC job offers.
Possible explanation for the quotes:
I would guess that Jurich wants to appear patient and open-minded due in part to the huge backlash after he hired Krags so quickly(even though that was the right thing to do at that point in the recruiting cycle—just turned out to be the wrong guy).
It’s highly possible Florida is serious about a counteroffer and therefore Jurich won’t publicly make or acknowledge UofL’s offer to Strong until he knows Strong will accept to avoid being “turned down” like Notre Dame in the past.
Additionally, it could be an attempt by Strong to sweeten the pot a little and I can’t blame him for that.
I believe he makes @$330K currently?
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 7, 2009 11:42 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I did overreact....
just a bit. I just want a good coach and to see us back on the rise.
can't blame you for that
overreacting is part of being a fan at times…no biggie.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 7, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
and I couldn't tell you
how many times I’ve typed up an emotional comment on this site only to edit 90% of it out or cancel it completely. A few kneejerks have probably slipped through, especially during live game threads, but it doesn’t count if you were drinking…right…right? Frank? Anyone?
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 7, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
This makes me nervous.
I really want this guy to be our next head coach and really want the deal to hurry up and get done. Hopefully it’s just Jurich being gun-shy and hesitant to pull the trigger after thinking Krags was the guy and seeing how that turned out.
by Cool Hand Cards on Dec 7, 2009 12:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think
Charlotte spoiled this week and we need good new again soon. I would guess we’ll get the news about the hiring of Strong tomorrow or Wednesday. You don’t rush a multimillion dollar contract (too much). Especially with the coaching changes going on right now. Strong hadn’t spoken with Louisville before Sunday. Give them a few days to hammer out the details.
by REALISTICCARDSFAN on Dec 7, 2009 12:23 PM EST reply actions
I would love to see Strong coach against UC by the way. That could make his hiring and the offseason even better.
"This season has been everything most of us feared it would be[.]"
Mike Rutherford, Card Chronicle
http://www.cardchronicle.com/
He can do both
See Dan Mullen. An arrangement could be worked out between both schools. Jurich may be more receptive to allowing Strong coach since it’s against a Big East opponent.
I just want to see how he attacks UC although if Kelly leaves that wouldn’t matter as much anymore.
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
And as far as recruiting, my hope is that Strong will be able to get those players who he starts to recruit every year and who at some point the coaching staff at UF decides they won’t be offered a scholarship. I think those are the players he can bring to Louisville and those are the players we can build a foundation on. We aren’t going to compete with the UFs for players, but there are plenty of players who are good but are either just not good enough for UF or aren’t as sure things. Those players will benefit us and as always gotta recruit your city and state.
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
Word on the street...
I have limited in the know sources, but what i’ve heard is that Strong is pretty much a done deal, but right now they’re trying to figure out how much they have to put together to get a couple of UF’s other assistants too, I guess guys Strong really wants on his staff. A bit of a chessmatch between UF and UL right now so to speak.
I don’t know who these guys would be, or how much truth there is to any of it, but that’s what i’ve heard, and it was from people I don’t have a problem repeating.
I’ve heard wednesday is the earliest to expect to hear something.
if it happens, that's quite the image
After 3 years of setting the bar higher for how to fall off the map, Louisville hires 30% of Florida’s coaching staff.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 7, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
amazing what fodder a single closed meeting with about three sentences of post-meeting quotes can provide a desperate fan base. The season for any coach we are looking for technically isn’t over (whoever he is, he better be involved in a bowl game) so focus for them is still on current team (unless your name is Brian Kelly-he may not coach the Sugar Bowl??? What a punk statement). Besides Notre Dame there isn’t really any big colleges in as desperate situation as we are this year so I think there will be plenty of great prospects available. Jurich is going to take his time on this. He’s really made only one mistake in the last decade+ and he’s not gonna replicate that mess. Now let’s take some deep breaths and remember spring practice (let alone the real season) is months away. Hey we have real time basketball woes to wrestle with…
Maddie in Portland, Oregon
Kelly also left Central Michigan before their bowl game
And that’s how he became the only coach to beat one team twice in a season while coaching two different teams. On one hand, it seems wrong to leave the players like that. On the other, if he accepts ND’s offer, go be the coach of ND, not Cincinnati.
Problem is he reportedly told his players he wasn’t leaving two years ago. I know it’s a business but have some integrity.
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
years = days
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
I bet it's money
Florida obviously swims in athletic cash with all their recent successes. Strong would be smart to negotiate shrewdly in this circumstance. I’m a little reticent about him just because he has no HC experience. But I think DC for such a powerhouse program beats the crap out of HC for a program like…. oh, I dunno…. Tulsa.
We could a LOT worse than this guy. Even if he stays only 3 seasons before bolting, he’ll bring some great talent and maybe set up something that lasts in that regard.
Let's say he is coming
I get his immediate to do list. Recruit. But how does he fill the offensive coordinator position? What kind of salary does Tom pony up to get a guy that can match Strongs defensive skills. Who wants to come help re-build a program?
Offensive Coordinator
On the EZ and Bo radio show last week, they interviewed a journalist from a Florida newspaper who is apparently fairly close with Strong (as in goes running with him at 5 am on a fairly regular basis) and this person mentioned Billy Gonzales, who is Florida’s Wide Recievers coach/Recruiting coordinator, as a possibility to come with Strong to become OC. He noted that Gonzales has been with Urban Meyer since he was at Bowling Green and that it was thought by many that Gonzales would be the one to take over as OC at Florida after Mullen left.
On another note, this journalist also spoke about Strong and how he always puts a lot of thought into anything he does, which could have something to do with the delay.
by Cool Hand Cards on Dec 7, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions
Kevin Sumlin
I’ve seen on previous posts where some of you think this guy just inherited good players, well I think thats bullshit. This was his second season there, last year he started with a sophmore QB, had a top 5 offense. This year they lead the nation in the 3 leading offensive categories, they went into OK State and got a W, when Ok St. was ranked in top 5. Sure Art Briles built that program, but Sumlin developed them. Like Petrino, he left plenty of pieces in place, and we all know how that went.
by ville 606 on Dec 8, 2009 1:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions
How about
Sumlin for OC and Strong for HC/DC? Hey a guy can dream right?
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Okinawa, Japan
by The White Mandingo on Dec 8, 2009 5:01 AM EST up reply actions
How in the world?
I am not trying to attack you all the way over in Japan, but how are you a UL football fan and a UK basketball fan? So perlexing to say the least. How do you straddle the line?
haha
That’s like being in the United States Air Force and a faithful Taliban supporter. I know he’s answered these questions before, just can’t remember the story. The UK symbol as his profile image bothers me a little when he makes comments about UofL.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 8, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Geez
I am from Louisville, Kentucky never been associated with any of the schools besides being a fan. I support my city in one sport and my state in another. My family is pretty much split down the middle too. I always hope both teams do well when they don’t play each other however when they do it depends on the sport which side of the fence I’m on. I’m just not closed minded as some people I guess plus being in the military it makes me proud to represent my home state since I am normally always on enemy turf lol
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Okinawa, Japan
by The White Mandingo on Dec 8, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
LOL @ "not closed minded" comment
You know that supporting Louisville is supporting your state just as much as supporting UK is, right? : )
I’ve never met anyone from Louisville who is a UofL FB fan and a UK BB fan. And I’m in the military too but I’ve never rooted for UK. It’s an oil and vinegar thing for most Cardinal supporters who’ve ever been jeered by a UK fan or vice versa. Lastly, my family is split down the middle as well which only makes me root against UK even more.
To each his own, I suppose.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 8, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Military...
I was in the military for almost 11 years until this May (NCO and then an officer). I grew up in Eastern Kentucky where I never knew Louisville existed… so I guess I was a UK fan. I didn’t have any affiliation with either school until I started college at Speed in 2000 and attended tailgates… the rest is history. I was a Pitino fan when he was at UK (when I was a kid), and then I got smart and realized how arrogant/obnoxious most UK fans are when I was in college. :) The Pitino hire at UofL made the cheering easier. Being in the military may help be open minded, but I would like to think that if you were an NCO or officer in the military, you’re smart enough to realize for which school is the best to cheer and make decisions for yourself. (all of this in jest, of course)
My comments are in jest as well
You can’t hang out in a Lousville blog sportin’ a UK profile image and "UK Basketball Fan" quote and not expect to receive a little friendly ribbing.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 8, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
I know guys it is all good! It was a Louisville profile image during football season and didnt change until after the last game.
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Okinawa, Japan
by The White Mandingo on Dec 9, 2009 5:03 AM EST up reply actions
My hope
is that Jurich is talking to Strong about incentives to put in the contract, so maybe we avoid paying a failure 1.2M a year.
the details of the contract will be very interesting to see
Are there other college football coaches with incentive-heavy contracts? It seems like everyone gets a buyout no matter what. I have no idea how these things work.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 8, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions
As he would be a first time HC
I hope that his base pay will be less, but after the kragthorpe disaster either make it incentive heavy, or let him know that if he does well early on that UofL would be more than willing to restructure his contract.
by CardinalDude on Dec 8, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
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