Home » Charlie Strong to leave UofL for University of Texas head coaching job

Charlie Strong to leave UofL for University of Texas head coaching job

Charlie Strong amassed a 37-15 record during his four years as head football coach at the University of Louisville.
Charlie Strong amassed a 37-15 record during his four years as head football coach at the University of Louisville. (UofL photo)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 6, 2014) – University of Louisville football coach Charlie Strong is leaving the program to become the head coach of the University of Texas.

Strong arrived at UofL four years ago, bringing new energy to a program that had seen back-to-back losing seasons and a 15-21 record in the three years prior to his arrival. During his time at UofL, Strong put together a 37-15 record, two Big East Conference championships (2011, 2012) and was named Big East Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2012.

Strong also led UofL to four straight bowl game appearances, resulting in a 3-1 record and making him the only coach in Louisville history to win three bowl games. Prior to his arrival the Cards had won only six bowl games in the program’s 100-year history.

“This was a difficult decision because the University of Louisville gave me my first opportunity as a head coach,” Strong said. “I have so much respect for President (James) Ramsey and (Athletics Director) Tom Jurich. They have been great to me and my family, and it was very hard to say goodbye, but they know this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. To follow a future Hall of Fame coach like Mack Brown, who built a program that had great success and a reputation of doing it with class and integrity, is extra special.”

Jurich said he spoke with Strong on Saturday night about the Texas job and took the opportunity to thank him for the job he did at Louisville.

“I wished him and his family well, and I told him I gave him an A++,” Jurich said. “He changed the culture here, not only from a football standpoint in wins and losses, but the type of kids he recruited, the kind of coaching staff that he assembled, and what they did academically. (We also) had very, very few problems off the field. I was very impressed with that and in my next hire my ambition and intentions are to find somebody that will follow up and build on what Charlie has built already.”