Charlie Strong Named As Candidate For Penn State Job
by Mike Rutherford on Dec 1, 2011 5:02 PM EST
in Football
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PrintWe all knew this was coming, so the inevitable commotion that's going to follow whenever news like this hits is going to feel almost disingenuous.
There are open head coaching positions all over college football. Charlie Strong might be on the verge of his second Big East Coach of the Year award in his second full season as a head coach. Put the two together and the man's about to be a bigger message board hit than improper use of you're/your.
CBS' Tim Brando tweeted earlier that Strong was one of his two choices to take the job at Ole Miss, but that was just a casual fan (he has a daughter who goes there) giving his preference.
Strong's name has been predictably tossed around elsewhere, but the only real piece of news comes from CBS' Bryan Fisher, who lists him as a top candidate to be Joe Paterno's successor at Penn State.
School president Rod Erickson told the Associated Press on Wednesday that the school hoped to have a new coach in place by the time Penn State plays in a bowl game.
...
Acting athletic director Dave Joyner, a former Penn State football player, is the leader of the six-person search committee to help select a new coach. Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, Louisville head coach Charlie Strong and Virginia's Mike London have been mentioned as possible candidates.
That mention, it should be noted, came from a tidbit in the Scranton Times. Don't mess with me, Halpert.
I will never, ever play the "he loves it here and he's going to stay forever" card when it comes to coaches and Cardinal football, but again, I would put the chances of Charlie Strong not being the head coach at Louisville next season at less than 2%. Something unforeseeably dramatic would have to occur for him to leave.
He's staying.
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he stepped into our dumpster fire
BASKETBALL!
by Irememberwheat! on Dec 1, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Krag was one of the worst coaches we've ever witnessed on a collegiate level,
but he was never accused of enabling pedophiles. So maybe a trash can fire, but not quite dumpster worthy.
by Cards5 on Dec 1, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If I'm not mistaken
someone on one of the message boards went back and looked at records, rankings, recruiting, returning starters, etc. and gave a pretty convincing argument the SK actually was the worst head coach over a 3-yr period in the history of D1 football.
So, there’s that…
Not a "TRUE" fan
Not the same. Not even close.
I’m completely in agreement with you Cardscott, with the only caveat that I think you maybe UNDERstating things. Calling what is happening in State College a dumpster fire is in my mind putting a positive spin on it. Fully disclosure: I am a good bit biased though since I come from a very long line of Penn State grads (father, aunt, uncle, grandmother, too many cousins to count, and in the case of my grandfather not only a graduate but a defensive end too… I don’t think he lettered though). Forgive the rant, but if I may just say that if there is one thing that has really stood out to me about this incredibly messed up situation is how (a) instantly and (b) how TRULY disgusted and alienated one of the most passionate fan bases in college football has become. The vibe surrounding our program near the end of Krag’s time here does not compare to whats going on up there. I don’t know that there is any precedent for it really.
To your credit though Irememberwheat… Charlie stepped into a rebuilding job here and has clearly relished it. I really do think Charlie will stick around (PSU is just too nuclear for anyone outside of a core group of Pennsylvania natives and/or football program alumni a la Al Golden), but who is to say he wouldn’t be tempted by another rebuilding job?
Florida is the one
I think he feels like he owes us loyalty for giving him his first opportunity, but Florida treated him well for a long time. He also has a lot of ties down there. Florida is the one school I think he would leave us for.
True or not
He told friends at dinner last year that the only job he would leave for would be Notre Dame. Still, can’t level-headedly see him turning down Florida.
by Mike Rutherford on Dec 1, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
He was once the interim coach at Florida
And they went another way. Which worked out for everyone. Just saying they giveth then taketh.
by ville 606 on Dec 2, 2011 12:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Life as a Louisville fan
How do you get out of being a revolving door of good coaches? you keep for for a long time go on collision courses and build one of the best damn programs known to man.
Had Bobby P stayed I would imagine we’d be at that status of 2010 still a revolving door however. Now say we kept HCCS all the way up into 2020ish range. with our upward climb of success inevitable down year yes we could get up there. Tradition doesn’t happen overnight.
Huge loyal fan bases don’t happen over night. For some reason I feel like we finally have that coach that could truly bring this program to something people talk about year in year out and pack stadiums just to have a chance to play us, hopefully beat us.
He might stay long term, Denny Crum did...
I believe HCCS’s longevity will be greatly impacted by the final shakeout of league re-alignments.
If he has a path to national title through Big 12/ACC (future Big East is a long shot in my opinion), he might stay. Who would have thought Denny Crum would pass up the UCLA job when John Wooden retired ….. to stay in Louisville.
Coach Strong has a chance, and demonstrated ability, to take the Cards to long term success. He could show all those who passed him over what a big mistake they made.
seriously though
I’d love to punch everyone who activley thinks this shit up right in the testicles/ovaries. Yea id love to get all my own recruits (and i feel We’ve only scratched the surface in how well our classes will be) then turn around and leave right when things are starting to turn around and the excitement is on the cusp of blowing up beyond a level we have seen around here in a long time. ALl to go to programs that are so deep in shit you would liteally have to feel like they are the best coach in the world. This is just wishful thinking on some F’wads that figure "hey if we bring this guys name up and get it out there in the news maybe we can grab this guy or this guy even though our program is about to be #@@@ed for the nest 100 years or so.
ok done venting
by Cards fan in the burgh' on Dec 1, 2011 5:39 PM EST reply actions
i love coach strong but
We have jurich, and I wouldn’t trade him for either our coaches, I know he will take care of Louisville, and I truly think Louisville right now if we can keep a bcs bid, is the easiest way to a national championship, so why leave for child molestor U, and with all the big programs touching children, and the catholic church gettin away with for centuries, I would watch out with that notre dame talk
by weallbleedredeventually on Dec 1, 2011 5:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You really think the catholic church's problems would keep Strong away from Notre Dame?
C’mon, man…
by UL is my hot hot sex on Dec 1, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
He was saying...
big time athletic programs → child molesters
Catholic church → child molesters
ergo
Catholic big time athletic programs → MUST be child molesters
(facetiously, I assume… althogh child molestation is no laughing matter)
"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino
Catholic church comments was unnecessary, beside Notre Dame will have Kelly for at least another couple of years.
~~~~~~~~
Go Cards!
by ULcardsfan502 on Dec 2, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
This post scared the crap out of me.
I some how read the title as saying HCCS was the new head coach at Penn St. After destroying a couple of walls I realized my mistake and felt foolish to ever think HCCS would ever leave us.
No worries...
If he goes, he goes… and if it’s a big job, who could blame him.
Whether or not he stays here, he’s done more to revive this program than anyone else on this planet could.
He’s my favorite Cardinal coach of all time to-date, even if he never coaches another game.
I’m just thankful for every bit of the heart he’s given this program.
by cardtrappedinlexington on Dec 1, 2011 6:27 PM EST reply actions
CCS is going to become the "Denny Crum" of U of L football.
He will turn down offers from Florida, Miami, and a host of other schools, because he see’s the future at Louisville. No matter what conference, the Cardinals will continue to recruit better and better players. Win more and more games, against better competition, and CCS will win the National Championship at Louisville. Just like Denny won the NCAA.
That’s my story (and fantasy) and I’m sticking to it.
Go Cards, and Coach Charlie Strong!
I think this is a decent possibility too.
As long as he is financially secure, likes it here (family and staff), has the program humming, can recruit elite athletes, and can play for a national championship, why would he leave. It’s like Coach K at Duke. He’s been offered lots more money but he makes a bunch of bucks, has control of his program, likes the community, has earned the respect and love of the local community, and can recruit top talent, so why start all over somewhere else. Even if you’re a great coach, the fans don’t like going 2-9, especially at a big school.
by Carolina Cardinal on Dec 1, 2011 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
Yaa..no
Louisville football & Duke basketball are two completely different animals.
Louisville Cardinals
Governors Cup Champions 2011-3011
by HorsePig55 on Dec 1, 2011 10:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Duke basketball sucked when Coach K got there
by Ellis from Compton on Dec 1, 2011 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
Look,
Anyone with common sense/isn’t blindly optimistic thinks that he may leave at some point.
What happens when Florida fires Muschamp and HCCS and Dan Mullen are the two candidates to get the job?
What happens when the failure train of Brian Kelly stops at Notre Dame?
What happens when Spurrier retires from a program that isn’t in shambles?
Dooley is hanging on by a thread after the loss to UK.
Two great programs in Penn St. (no, hes not going to PSU) and Texas A&M(which is not a crap storm like PSU) are open.
All of these jobs he could very, very easily leave us for.
And there’s a big chance that these will be vacated within 3 years, some sooner.
Louisville Cardinals
Governors Cup Champions 2011-3011
But don't you think that if you take on a rebuilding job in the SEC for instance
that you would very likely go 3-8 or something for a year or two at least? And while we were thrilled to go 6-6 and play in a bowl last year, most SEC fan bases won’t be very excited with a couple of 3-8 years. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective: expectations and competition.
Seems to me that if you have:1. financial security, 2. family that’s happy where you are, 3. fan base that loves you, 4. ability to recruit, and 5. opportunity to play in the big pond (conference with national championship tie in), there would not be a big reason to leave. Not saying it wouldn’t happen, but seems like there’s a decent chance he would stay here for quite a while, not unlike Denny Crum.
And I still think the Coach K comparison is valid. He is financially secure, controls the program without interference, is able to recruit at the highest level even with tough academic standards, family is established in Durham, and is worshiped by the local community. And since basketball has a tournament, he has no better chance to win it all somewhere else. He has been offered more money (rumored to be lots more money) to take several other jobs and has always turned them down. And if you think it’s because Duke is a top flight program, well that is because he made it that. It certainly wasn’t at that level when he started. So, maybe that pride of ownership thing of being the guy who made a great program great carries a lot of weight too. Wouldn’t be true if you went to Notre Dame or Florida. They have been on top before and returning them there would not have nearly the cache as being THE guy who made the program great. If Coach Strong feels the same way, I can see where starting over to rebuild another program would have very little appeal. – Just sayin.
by Carolina Cardinal on Dec 2, 2011 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
You could have said all of the same things about Rich Rodriguez.
Louisville Cardinals
Governors Cup Champions 2011-3011
I beg to differ.
When Coach K took over Duke, they WERE UofL football (or worse). His record there in years 1-3: 17-13, 10-17, 11-17. Only now are they “Duke basketball” as we all know and love (or, well, hate) them.
No reason Coach K and HCCS can’t have the same path – the only variable is time.
by Leeroy Jenkins on Dec 2, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly. Not saying it WILL happen but there's a lot to be said for being THE guy who built a prominent program
It becomes his program and as long as he is financially secure, happy with the school/Athletic Dept/community, etc. and had the team at the top of their game, there is no real reason to leave and start over.
by Carolina Cardinal on Dec 2, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Loyalty
I just hope he appreciates what UL/Jurich gave him- which is his first opportunity as a head coach at the age of 50. Lots of schools passed on him (probably based on race). I remeber when Strong accepted the job he was overcome with emotion – he never thought he would be a head coach. Jurich had faith and I hope Charlie has some loyalty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARuVk6OrBE
(look at the last 20 seconds)
by 86me on Dec 1, 2011 10:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The Man may have fallen from grace but he's still The Man.
and you never want to be the man following The Man. It would be like succeeding John Wooden at UCLA. The only coach I know to have replaced a legend and lasted more than a handful of years is Rick Pitino.
Besides, Charlie is a man of integrity, and he obviously feels a great debt of gratitude to UofL for giving him the shot nobody else would give him. He’ll be here for at least five years before he even thinks about going anywhere else. And by that time, hopefully, he’ll have both built UofL into a destination job and fallen in love with Louisville.
I truly believe he will go Denny on us – in fact, I get the impression he’s at least halfway there already. Look at the way he roots for the other Cardinal teams. Look at the way he refers to Louisville as “we” and “us” even when talking about things that happened years before he arrived on the scene. I think the hook is set, and the city and its university are in the process of reeling him in.
"...and the present, for us, is something that we really look forward to."
- Rick Pitino
Good Points
With the situation he has now, Going to a second Bowl Game, Knocking on a BCS bid in his 2nd year, a large # of talented and experienced underclassmen going into his 3rd year and a good recruiting class coming in that could get a lot better, with many top recruits looking at the program in 2 or 3 years. Good chance to move to a better conference such as the Big 12, the ovation his players received at the Basketball Game. Also the chance that Jurich and UofL gave him when others had passed over him. and the security of the job here.
He has to believe that with the recruiting and coaching he has brought to this program that he has a chance to dominate the Big East or be at or near the top of another Conference we may move to in the future. I just do not feel that he is ready to make a jump to another job at this time, and if he remains for a couple of more years, he could have the program at a point that he has no desire to move on. I also do not think that money will be an issue with the budjet we have now, we are competitive with most schools in that area.
1 other Point
If Charlie does stay, which I think he will, Jurich may redo his contract and I would look for another expansion of Papa John’s in the near future
It's not just Penn State now either
the Texas A&M Job is now open and Joe Shad reported Charlie as one of the possible candidates
I think we can guarantee
at some point Strong is going to have offers thrown at him. What im curious about is how much is he currently making here, and what kind of $$ are we talking about with schools like Fl etc.
Just curious how much difference we are talking.
After his new contract extension he is makeing 2.1-2.3 million a year +incentives.
With schools like UF, UT and even ATM, they would have no problem paying 4 or 5 million for a coach they want.
by James Sutherland on Dec 2, 2011 11:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
Strong doesnt seem like the type to let money dictate what hes going to do… Then again 2M extra per year is a shit ton of money. He may say to himself “with the extra money I can set my kids, and grandchildren up for life”.
Not sure I could blame him if that were the motive…… I sure hope hes here for an extended stay
How about something like this......................
If i read this right, it looks like each team gets $17million. Why not put an incentive clause giving coaching staff a chunk of that (maybe $1-$3 million). And lower but still substantial payouts for lesser bowls. Fact is that if we don;t get to a bowl it costs us nothing but if we do, the university still gets a huge chuck of cash (like $14-$16 million after these incentives). That would insulate him against the temptation to leave for another school with a bit higher salary. It’s a total win-win.
by Carolina Cardinal on Dec 2, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Hey im all for incentive based pay
If it were up to me Pitino and Strong would both be paid based on end of year results. Seems fair that if the school gets X amount for a bowl game a portion should go to the coach and staff.
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