Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich understands if Strong is interested in Florida job

Louisville AD optimistic Strong stays with Cards

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich believes Charlie Strong is a “perfect fit” to coach the Cardinals.

Jurich also understands that Florida may feel the same way about its longtime defensive coordinator.

Although Jurich called his talks with Strong “positive” in the hours since Gators coach Urban Meyer announced his resignation, Jurich expects Strong to be on the list of Meyer’s potential replacements.

“I would do anything in my power to keep him, but that might not be enough,” Jurich said.

The Cardinals hired Strong to replace Steve Kragthorpe on Dec. 9.

Jurich said he’s spoken to Strong several times since Meyer’s announcement.

“He’s just looking forward to being the head coach here, that’s what he’s been saying,” Jurich said. “I’m not naive enough to think it’s always going to go down that way.”

Louisville’s courtship of Strong ended with the 49-year-old signing a memorandum of understanding that will pay him $1.6 million annually. The two sides have been working on a formal contract in recent weeks, though Jurich said he wouldn’t stand in the way if the Gators wanted to promote him.

“I’m not naive enough to think that they’re just going to let him go by the wayside,” Jurich said. “I would imagine there’ll be a fullcourt press somehow. He’s very popular not only with (Florida AD) Jeremy Foley and the administration but he’s also very popular with the players and assistant coaches.”

Jurich said he hasn’t spoken to Foley but knows Strong’s deep ties to the Gators could be a factor. Strong has enjoyed four different stints with the Gators, including the last seven years as defensive coordinator.

“I think they know what they have with him,” Jurich said. “He’s a known commodity. He’s an excellent commodity.”

Strong has quickly been embraced by the Louisville community. T-shirts celebrating his hire have been a hot seller and his emotional introductory news conference left little doubt how grateful he was for the opportunity to become a head coach.

Strong will coach Florida’s defense in the Sugar Bowl. He is scheduled to return to Louisville on Jan. 2.

Though Jurich acknowledges he has a backup plan, he hopes he doesn’t have to resort to it.

“I don’t want to see Plan B, C or D,” he said.

Strong hasn’t wasted any time getting to work rebuilding the Cardinals. He hired former UNLV coach Mike Sanford as offensive coordinator last week and has already secured commitments from a couple of high-profile recruits. Jurich said Strong also spent Christmas Eve calling every Louisville player wishing them a happy holiday.

“He talked to every single kid on our team; I’ve never heard of that,” Jurich said. “He told them that Jan. 5, let the games begin.”

Jurich also expressed concern for Meyer, who worked as a receivers coach at Colorado State in the 1990s while Jurich was the athletic director there.

“There’s something wrong, because Urban lives and dies football,” Jurich said.