USF hires Charlie Strong as head football coach
USF has hired former Texas head coach Charlie Strong to the same position, the school announced Sunday.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel reported earlier Sunday that the two sides were close to a five-year deal.
Strong was fired by Texas after going 16–21 in his three seasons there. The Longhorns made only one bowl appearance under his watch and finished 5–7 this season.
USF was forced to look for a new coach after Willie Taggart was hired at Oregon. The Bulls went 2–10 in 2013, Taggart’s first year as head coach, but improved steadily in each subsequent year. They were 10–2 this year and will face South Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl.
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Strong was previously the head coach at Louisville, where he led the Cardinals to a 37–15 record. They went 11–2 and 12–1 in his final two seasons, including a Sugar Bowl win over Florida.
