Charlie Strong is one University of Louisville football coach who apparently won’t wind up at Arkansas.

No getting behind a podium at a press conference, demeaning himself and squealing, “Whoo, pig, sooie!” like former UofL coaches Bobby Petrino and John L. Smith. That image just doesn’t register.

Not anytime soon anyway. Hopefully never for his sake.

Strong was asked the question by nationally syndicated talk show host Jim Rome Wednesday, about whether there was any substance to rumors he was talking to the Arkansas athletic officials. And he responded, answering the question straight on, with no nuances or equivocation.

“The athletic director here, the president here, gave me my first opportunity. I know my name comes up with a lot of different opportunities but when someone has reached out to you, I owe it to them to uphold what we’ve been talking about.

“A call may or not come. When I got this job, my name wasn’t even in the mix for the Louisville job. I’m fine where I’m at. I have a lot of backing here. My family’s here, they love it here. I’m pretty comfortable where I’m at. You don’t just walk away. A lot of times we think the grass is greener on the other side. You don’t walk away when you’re building a program.

“Then I look at the players I recruited here. I told them to come here for me and this university, and then all of a sudden I get a show to go somewhere else and I walk away from them? I’m just not cut like that, Jim.”

Good for him, good for Louisville.

Finally, a football coach who appears to appreciate, actually recognize what he has at the University of Louisville: The total support of the community,  the solid financial backing of the athletic department, and an opportunity to take the program as far he can take it. What some former coaches failed to recognize was that in moving on to other programs they were saying they weren’t up to challenge of advancing the U of L program to the next level and sustaining success.

A man of his word, a breath of fresh air.  The full interview here.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

5 thoughts on “Charlie Strong: ‘You don’t just walk away’”
  1. Loved hearing Coach say this, then Tom came out and put the money statement down!

    Also loved coach’s chuckle and the end of the S. Miss game “ha ha it;s good to be 5-0”

  2. The interview was refreshingly void of ambiguities and coachspeak. He really did answer the questions which most coaches verbally dodge.

    I was pleasantly surprised that he did answer the question. Usually, he answers questions like he is answering one that hasn’t been asked.

    Sideline reporter: Coach, what was the key to Bridgewater throwing those three first half touchdowns?

    CCS: Well, you know, our defense did a great job and we really have to cut down on our turnonvers and step it up and try to get more pressure on the quarterbacks and our receivers need to get more separation but I really am pleased with the special teams.

    I love this guy roaming our sidelines. Maybe he can be our Pigskin Denny Crum after all…

  3. This is great news to hear.

    1) Coach Strong is mostly happy here.
    2) He is thankful Louisville hired him as a head coach.
    3) He likes the fan suppot.
    4) His family is happy in Louisville.

    I wonder if he knows we are not long for the New Big East, also?

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