Overlooking Gator Coach Makes Racism Claims Strong

There has been much written and said lately about the lack of black head coaches in college football.  After the firings and resignations stopped this week, only three black head coaches remained in the 119 team FBS. 

While claims of racism abound, the reality is that both Notre Dame and Washington fired Ty Willingham  because he liked to golf more than he liked to recruit and Ron Prince succumb to the same fate as Ron Zook at Florida and Frank Solich at Nebraska—the curse of following a legend. 

If Willingham or Prince were white, they’d still be looking for jobs right now. Their race had nothing to do with it. 

For Charlie Strong, the Florida Gators first and only black defensive coordinator, it might not be the same.

Of all the assistant coaches floating through the college ranks, it’s difficult to find one better than Strong.  Just this past week, Strong was named a finalist for the 2008 BroylesAward, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.  It is Strong’s second nomination for this prestigious award, having been nominated in 2000 while the defensive coordinator with the South Carolina Gamecocks. 

Despite the recognition, however, Strong has not been given much head coaching consideration lately.  He was on the short list of some colleges following the Lou Holtz to Steve Spurrier changeover in South Carolina.  He had been rumored to have interviewed for as many as six positions after the 2000 season but never made the final cut. 

In 2007, after Floridawon the national championship, Strong did not interview for a single head coaching position.  During that off-season, 23 new coaches were named in the FBS. 

After Florida defeated Alabama this weekend and found itself playing for another national championship, several Florida assistants were rumored to be the target of several colleges. 

ESPN reported that defensive line coach Dan McCarneyand offensive coordinator Dan Mullen were candidates for both the Mississippi State and New Mexicohead coaching gigs.  Sports Illustrated reported that offensive line coach Steve Addazio is in position for the Syracusejob if Skip Holtz decides to pass on it. 

For only the purposes of this article, it should be noted that McCarney, Mullen, and Addazio are white.

No reports linked Strong to any school. 

While no one can ever definitively tell if an assistant coach can make the transition to a head coach, Strong’s on-the-field resume makes a good case that he is most deserving of the opportunity.

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