Miami gives Charlie Strong co-defensive coordinator title in addition to linebackers coach
The University of Miami on Friday officially announced the hiring of prominent veteran coach Charlie Strong as its new linebackers coach, adding the title co-defensive coordinator.
Strong, 61, in 2021 served as inside linebackers coach of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. He has been a head coach at Louisville (2010-2013), Texas (2014-16 and USF (2017-19). He also was a three-time finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant,
“I have a lot of respect for the program,” Strong said in a UM release. “And I also have a lot of respect for Mario [Cristobal]…It’s a really special moment for me. Whenever you go into a program, you always look at ‘Do I have a chance to be successful? Are we going to have the support that we need?’ And that’s what you’re getting right now.
“You look at the history – a foundation has been laid here. It’s the championships over the years, the great players over the years and now…everybody wants to see this program take off and everybody expects for this program to be at a different level.”
UM head coach Cristobal said he was “fired up’’ to add Strong to his staff.
Kevin Steele was previously named UM defensive coordinator, with Jahmile Addae the new secondary coach, Joe Salave’a the new defensive line coach and University of Texas-San Antonio co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Rod Wright reportedly joining the Canes staff as the new defensive ends coach.
“Coach Strong is an elite football mind and has a tremendous reputation as a coach with championship experience,’’ Cristobal said. “He also has exceptional acumen as a recruiter. Coach Strong will elevate not only our defense, but our program as a whole, and I can’t wait to see the impact he makes on the culture and DNA of our team.”
Strong spent 18 of his 38 collegiate coaching seasons in Florida. He was a defensive coordinator in the SEC for 11 seasons, including winning national championships at UF in 2006 and 2008.
His No. 18 Louisville Cardinals beat Miami 36-9 in the Russell Athletic Bowl at Orlando’s Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on Saturday, December 28, 2013.
