Charlie Strong’s tenure at the University of South Florida was not potent enough to secure his job.
A 10-2 start in 2017 had USF alumni and fans reeling under the promise of a run. This was they year they’d hoped to return to the top 25.
However, hopes crashed and burned with an injury-riddled, 4-8 record this year. Athletic director Michael Kelly fired Strong on Sunday.
“I would like to thank Coach Strong and his staff for their hard work and contributions to our program,” Kelly said. “I have tremendous respect for Coach Strong and his dedication to recruiting and developing young men of talent and character and leading them with integrity. He has represented USF with dignity and class and we wish Coach and his family the very best.”
Legend of the fall
Strong’s head coaching career got off to a roaring start at the University of Louisville, ending with a 37-15 record. He recruited several NFL-bound players and led the team to a Sugar Bowl victory over Florida.
After many missed opportunities at other schools, UofL gave him his first coaching job. Even so, the allure of a blue-blood program was too much as he accepted the head position at Texas.
Strong was fired after three lackluster years at the University of Texas with a 16-21 record. He signed a five-year, $9.8 million deal with USF in Dec. of 2016.
With his strong background in recruiting and defense at the University of South Florida, it appeared to be a match made in Heaven.
Strong took USF from Willie Taggart who departed to go to Oregon. Now, Strong may become a top candidate for several defensive coordinator positions next season.
