Alabama will hire former Texas Louisville coach Charlie Strong as a defensive analyst, according to a report
Alabama has hired former Texas and Louisville coach Charlie Strong as a defensive analyst, according to Sports Illustrated, adding another big name to rotate through Nick Saban’s expanded coaching staff. Strong, who most recently served as Miami’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Mario Cristobal in 2022, will be reunited with former Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele position last year with the Hurricanes. Strong recently retired resigned after being passed over for Lance Guidry to become the Hurricanes’ sole defensive coordinator.
Strong Saban’s staff at Alabama has been a way station for veteran coaches with plenty to offer, and this isn’t Strong’s first time with the Crimson Tide. Strong previously served as a defensive analyst for Alabama in the 2020 season before leaving for his first NFL job under Urban Meyer with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meyer only lasted one season in the NFL, during which time Strong joined Mario Cristobal’s staff in Miami.
Strong previously coached at Texas, Louisville and South Florida. His time with the Cardinals was his most successful, with Strong going 37-15 over four seasons and leading a Sugar Bowl victory in 2012. Strong’s success with the Cardinals led to a job in Texas in 2014, but it wasn’t close. as successful as the Longhorns. After being fired after the 2016 season, Strong transferred to South Florida, where he lasted three seasons before being fired after a 4-8 2019 season.
Strong was a longtime position coach before getting his first crack at defensive coordinator in 1999 on Lou Holtz’s staff at South Carolina. He moved on to Florida, where he served as defensive coordinator under Ron Zook, and when Meyer replaced Zook in 2005, Strong was the only member of Zook’s staff he retained. He was promoted to assistant head coach and played a key role in Florida’s national title winning teams in 2006 and 2008.
Alabama finished the 2022 season with an 11-2 record. It was the first time Alabama failed to win the SEC title since the 2019 season.
