GatorBait.net - Cohen Commentary: No knocks on Strong

May 27, 2009

Marty Cohen
GatorBait.net Publisher

This column is reprinted from the May issue of Gator Bait Magazine. To subscribe, CLICK HERE

The scene was typical of what takes place at various venues around the country this time of the year. Coach swoops into town on a whistle-stop booster meet-and-greet, shakes a few hands, signs some autographs, poses for a couple snapshots, gets up on the podium, delivers a State of the Program address, attempts a joke or two, takes a friendly (or not-so-friendly) jab at a rival, praises his players, gets the assembled masses feeling groovy and then departs to hearty cheers, ready to do it all over again in the next town.

It's a coaching rite of spring, of sorts, and on this particular evening, with heavy rain pelting the nearby surf outside, we're in Brevard County, where 250 folks have gathered on the Space Coast for a little Gator fix. Upon entering the room, the coach is greeted with a prolonged standing ovation, is gracious as he signs and smiles, quickly takes a few bites of pasta and then is up on stage.

He seems loose (most coaches are three months before the season opener), and easily wins over the crowd. He's engaging, at times funny, basks in the adoration of the audience and in general, feels comfortable in the setting.

And why shouldn't he ? after all, Urban Meyer has established the premier football program in the country and has reached the pinnacle of his profession. In a room full of Gators in late May, the feel-good vibes are everywhere.

But it isn't Meyer who the people have come to see. No, the head coach is actually a few hours south, in Fort Lauderdale, taking care of UF's south Florida contingent. Instead, the guest of honor is longtime defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, who also holds the title of assistant head coach.

This is one of Strong's recruiting footholds, so he is familiar with the territory. But now he faces a little added pressure since this is his third time up in front of this group, and the previous two occasions, in 2006 and 2008, the Gators went on to capture national championships.

"Oh stop," he said, after the fans were informed of this unofficial statistic.
And then he flashed a broad smile.

It's a side of Strong we rarely get to see. He's always been personable, and is well-liked by players, fellow coaches and us in the media. But at the same time, he's seemed a bit uncomfortable in the spotlight. It can happen to guys who've been the leader's acknowledged right-hand man for so long.

But as the ambassador for all things Gator on this evening, Strong was more than up to the task. He spent more than 20 minutes talking about the program and the players, and after a short video presentation, fielded questions from the crowd, sticking around until there were no more raised hands in the room.

He even deftly handled the off-the-wall query, as a woman wondered if they ever broke up the drudgery of two-a-day practices with something fun, like taking the players swimming.

"Nah, maybe just to cool off," he said. "A lot of our guys can't even swim. We'd probably lose half the team."

If it seems like Strong is a familiar face, well, he is ? he's been at Florida forever, or so it seems. Strong has worked under the last five Gator head coaches, starting as a graduate assistant for Charley Pell in 1983-84, and then was the outside linebackers coach for Galen Hall in 1988-89, the defensive ends coach for Steve Spurrier in 1991-93 and then the assistant head coach in '94.

He came back almost a decade later as defensive coordinator under Ron Zook in 2003-04 and has been the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator (OK, co-coordinator for three years) since Meyer arrived in 2005. And for good measure, he was also the interim head coach for the most forgettable bowl game in school history, the 2004 Peach Bowl loss to Miami.

Florida football fits Strong like a glove. As an off-and-on staff member for the last 25 years, he has certainly experienced the highs and lows in Gainesville. His comfort level is to the point where he is trusted to be a spokesman for the program, a role Meyer does not cede lightly.

Yet Strong burns for more. He absolutely loves his job, loves the community for his family. But make no mistake, with his 49th birthday approaching this summer (he's 32 days younger than me, so really, he's hardly an old guy), his professional clock is ticking. More than anything, Charlie Strong wants to be a head coach.

It is a painful topic for Strong. Despite working under guys like Lou Holtz, Spurrier and Meyer, despite a bulging resume, Strong seems to be a forgotten man. We're aware of some of the issues involved, and race is certainly a factor when it comes to the college head coaching fraternity. Strong brought it up publicly for one of the first times last January during the championship game Media Day, and was stunned by the national attention some of his thoughts received.

He sat down with buddy and former Gator Bait columnist Peter Kerasotis of Florida TODAY before speaking to the Brevard County Gators, and let his guard down. He spoke openly and frankly about his frustration. The emotion was clearly evident.

An hour or so after the meeting concluded, as Kerasotis and I were grabbing a bite and a beer, his cell phone buzzed and it was Charlie. He was having serious second thoughts about their conversation, and how it might be portrayed. He preferred, rather strongly (for a bad pun), that his words remained private.

He connected with Kerasotis again the next morning, and reiterated his feelings. It was obvious he was torn by the position he finds himself in, seemingly unable to advocate for himself for fear of being represented in the wrong light.

It's too bad, really, because there can't be many assistant coaches in college football with a more impressive background than Strong. There are no sure things when career assistants finally get their chance to sit in the big chair. Some succeed, some don't. There is always a certain degree of risk when hiring any new coach, no matter the circumstance.

For Strong, the results on the field have always spoken volumes ? he is an accomplished football coach. There have been questions raised about his potential acumen for the other aspects of being a head coach ? dealing with boosters, media, the ability to win the room as the face of the program, etc.

From what we saw last week, Strong seems ready. But don't get the wrong impression. While his motivation is to ascend to the top of his field, it is hardly all-consuming. Judging from his weary look as the end of the exhausting May recruiting evaluation period nears, his focus is on Florida for 2009 and beyond.

Hearing the hearty ovation he received from the assembled orange-and-blue faithful, they are happy he is still here. For his sake, let's hope he gets his opportunity soon. Wherever he should wind up, he'll bring his customary wide smile, a briefcase brimming with achievement, and a pair of national championship rings on his hand. And who knows, as the overseer of what should be a ferocious defense, there may even be a third ring on the way.

"We have a chance," Strong said.

He was talking about the team. He could have just as easily been talking wistfully about himself.

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