National expert expects Charlie Strong Miami football difference maker
Mike Farrell of Rivals.Com posed the question of whether new linebackers coach Charlie Strong will be a difference-maker for the Miami football program. Strong comes to Miami after being the LBs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. Prior to his NFL stint, Strong has extensive experience as a college coach.
Strong was a head coach with Louisville, Texas and South Florida from 2010 through 2019. Prior to behind hired at Louisville, Strong was a collegiate assistant for 27 years. With experience primarily in the Southeast, Strong has been an exceptional recruiter as an assistant and head coach.
Strong will be tasked with upgrading development and recruiting for Miami at LB. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has hired an elite coaching staff. Since being hired in December, Cristobal has routinely emphasized the importance of recruiting. Cristobal expects his staff to match his energy as a recruiter.
The hiring of Strong came after Cristobal hired Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator away from Michigan, long-time SEC defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae away from Georgia. Addae was the second-highest-ranked recruiter in 2022. Farrell discussed Strong.
"1. Charlie Strong will be a difference maker at Miami. “FACT. Landing Charlie Strong as the linebackers coach at Miami is a big deal for Mario Cristobal. Strong is a former defensive coordinator in the SEC, did an amazing job recruiting the state of Florida at Louisville and has strong ties to the Sunshine State in addition to his head coaching resume.Cristobal needs to recruit like a super team — on the Alabama and Georgia level — and adding an ace like Strong is a major move in that direction.”"
The biggest name from South Florida that Strong recruited at Louisville was current NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater flipped to Louisville after de-committing from Miami following the firing of head coach Randy Shannon. Strong spent 15 years at Florida in four different stints.
Next. Mario Cristobal using Alabama blueprint for Miami football. dark
As the defensive coordinator for the Gators from 2003 through 2009, Strong won two National Championships under Urban Meyer. Strong also spent time under Nick Saban at Alabama. Cristobal stated he is building a staff with a Saban blueprint. Gattis and Steele also worked at Alabama under Saban.