He always talks about respect; respect for the program, respect for the team, respect for the University of Louisville.

That's what he wants to build here, he wants the Louisville program to become respectable; respectable so that no one thinks of Louisville as a stepping-stone to a better job. Respect!

He has given numerous examples of his character and personality since he has been here. On the Jim Rome show; "I'm not cut like that". Staring Teddy in the eye and replying "Yes" to his query, "Will you be still be here in four years time?"

I believe he's tired of answering the same question over & over. The mistake he made was in replying to those questions at all. If he wanted to brush the rumors aside without addressing it, the best thing he could have said was, "No comment, next question please. About the Sugar Bowl only."

I believe he wants to build a big legacy here and probably has grand dreams; dreams that don't get shared with anyone. He wants to build something here and he gets very passionate when he doesn't see the same from others. I see him as a genuine person and like most genuine people, he can't lie to save his life and can't deal with the media.

When Ron Zook was fired from Florida in 2003, Strong led the Gators to the 2004 Peach Bowl. I don't know if he was considered for the HC job there, but the next coach was Urban Meyer and Charlie was retained as an assistant coach. As it turns out, that hiring was the best thing that could have happened to Florida. But wouldn't there be a slight resentment, small as it may be, in a corner of Charlie's heart, that he was not given the keys to the program? Was he even considered at Florida?

How about Tennessee? Didn't they hire Dooley in 2010....the same year that we hired Charlie? Did they even consider him? How about the other SEC schools when they had openings? Miss State in 2004 & 2009? Ole Miss in 2005 & 2008? Auburn in 2008? Arkansas in 2008? Alabama in 2001, 2003 & 2007? Did any of these schools seriously consider him at all?

He had the same experience everywhere from nearly every school he interviewed with; "We have our man, we just need your presence to make up the numbers. Thanks for coming, scoot along now".

And now he wants to stick the same finger to them; "I have my school, I just needed your presence to make up the numbers. Thanks for the offer, F#*$ OFF NOW!"

At least that's what my heart tells me. And I want to believe that!

Go CARDS!