Louisville locks up Charlie Strong for 8 years

Louisville was able to keep its coach from leaving for Tennessee and the SEC ranks, and now we know why.

According to The Associated Press, Charlie Strong was able to settle on an eight-year contract extension that will pay him an annual base salary of $3.7 million per season.

This new deal makes him the seventh-highest paid coach in college football above South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier and TCU’s Gary Patterson.

He’s earned it.

Strong, 52, has a 25-14 record in three years at Louisville, including an 11-2 record in 2012 that was highlighted by throttling No. 3 Florida in the Sugar Bowl.

The Cardinals are legitimate threats to win the Big East in 2013 and are looking to carry momentum into their transition to the ACC the following year.


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