If any University of Louisville football fan needed a lift with all the negative fallout from the never-ending conference realignment quagmire, he or she got it Tuesday from Clint Hurtt.
In an interview on WKRD Radio, the U of L defensive line coach told Adam Lefkoe that the current staff is here for the long haul and is striving to be the best program in the country.
Hurtt, who turned down an offer from Auburn prior to last season, acknowledged that members of the current staff have received calls from other programs. But he said this staff is looking to build something special at Louisville.
“Charlie Strong and his family love it here,” he said. “They love the fans and community. People need to quit worrying about it. He knows it has happened before in the past but they genuinely care about this city and want to build this program.
“These kids have a chance to put their stamp on this program and play for the best coaches in the business in a big city with a college atmosphere. They can come here and play for BCS bowls.”
Yes, we’ve heard similar statements from coaches who have done 180’s and gone on to what they thought would be “bigger and better opportunities,” only to be disappointed in the end. The members of this staff, however, do seem to be firmly committed, as evidenced by rare defections in three seasons.
Athletic Director Tom Jurich knows what he has and is giving Charlie Strong everything he says he needs to build and maintain a successful program, including highly competitive salaries.
The worrisome aspect, of course, is the continued assurance of participation in BCS bowls, with four major conferences seemingly wanting to limit the field. What they can’t do is control what Charlie Strong and crew are able to accomplish on the field. As long as Hurtt is able to recruit effectively and Strong’s team is winning, it will be difficult to overlook Louisville.
FYI: 360’s are good for coaches. That means that they stay. 180’s are the evil. 🙂
Thanks Ken. Math was never a forte.
The BCS system and some of the things the conferences are considering are undoubtedly in violation of anti-trust laws, depriving schools equal access to the system. That will never pass muster and I hope Congress gets in on the act, the sooner the better.
I agree these are anti-trust violations. A few conferences who are pushing the realignment agendas appear focused on trying to make sure they get no competition from any other schools.
The money part doesn’t make any sense to me. The schools are gaining a few million dollars, but alienating lifetime fans when they eliminate 100 year old rivalries. When many of the fans quit attending the games and rich donors quit donating, it will eventually become a lose-lose situation for everyone in college football.