Louisville to ACC

By ausmos -28 November 2012
29 Comments
- Football

The ACC is turning into the old Big East and the Big East is turning into the old Conference USA.

DLB1276 on 28 Nov 2012 - 9:55am #

I imagine this might be enough to keep Charlie Strong, which hurts our chances for Quick.

btalbert25 on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:01am #

I think it doesn't really matter what Strong does. There were reports that Ohio State was leading before Quick's visit this weekend, and then several times he almost pulled the trigger this weekend. I think Quick is Ohio State's to lose if Strong stays or not.

I think Strong stays at least one more year. He has one of the best players in America with Bridgewater, and stands a pretty good shot at winning pretty many games next year.

DLB1276 on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:25am #

I disagree with your assertion that Quick is ours to lose. Especially when he's telling everyone that Louisville still leads.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/college-football-rapidrepo...

hodge on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:35am #

I understand he made a promise to Bridgewater, but if he turns down potential employment at Tennessee, Arkansas, or Auburn, he's a moron. Those three programs are shooting for the moon with their coaching targets (Gruden, Miles, and Fischer, respectively), and the odds are astronomically low that all three land their top guys (not to mention opening up jobs at FSU and LSU at the same time). Strong has to at least be in the conversation.

Now, if none of the "Big Three" offer, he's wise to stay (because he's going to get offers from that calibre of program) until he gets his chance. But he's a fool if he turns down one of those.

I respect the Hell out of coaches being honest and remaining loyal to their programs (one of the reasons why I despise Brian Kelly is the way he handled the ND hiring); but when the big dog comes a-knocking, you should leap at the chance. It's the same as a Junior or Redshirt Sophomore declaring for the draft.

btalbert25 on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:55am #

I just don't see Strong leaving for Arkansas or Auburn. Now, if Fischer or Miles leave their respective programs, then ok, I see him taking off for FSU or LSU, he'd have instant success. A move to Auburn who is probably about to get hammered by the NCAA doesn't make sense, and I really don't think Arkansas is a job where the coach will be set up to succeed(it's better than Louisville). Tennessee is a huge job, BUT they've had a problem attracting their caliber recruits for a while. If you brings them back to glory he's a hero, in 3 years if they are still losing 3-5 games per year he's screwed.

He seems like a pretty smart guy, to me his best potential jobs would be if the LSU and FSU jobs come open. Rather than jump at Auburn or Arkansas. I think FSU sets him up for instant success. He'll recruit the hell out of Florida, he already does at Louisville. FSU is an easy sell. He could be the coach that brings them back for real, and it wouldn't take that long.

osuforlife on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:30am #

This been a rumor for about 2 months the acc and big 12. They want to keep strong and this the only he will stay.

Buckeye_in_SEC_... on 28 Nov 2012 - 10:31am #

I think Quick's decision will be based on Strong... I don't necessarily see us getting him if Strong leaves for UT... UT isn't that far away from Louisville. I could see Quick following him there especially with Tennessee's pass happy offense. If Strong goes to Auburn or Arkansas, I see Quick coming to OSU. If he stays or goes to UT, I see Quick going with him. With that said, we pick up Timmons if we don't get Quick and I wouldn't be unhappy about that situation either.

Squirrel Master on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:07am #

@Hodge, I still say it would be the dumbest move to go to either Auburn or Arkansas. They can't compete with LSU and Alabama. It would be career suicide for at least the next 4-5 years. You would be the 3rd fiddle in your own division let alone the conference. Tennessee I can see but still think Louisville has talent on par to them if not better. Bridgewater IMO is the best throwing QB that is also a dual threat in the NCAA.

ACC is going to be good in football and ridiculous in basketball. Football: FSU, Miami, Louisville, UNC, NCST and Pitt. Not a bad lineup, especially considering the BE. Basketball: Syracuse, Louisville, UNC, Duke, NCST, Pitt. That is ridiculous. ACC/B1G challenge is going to be awesome over the next decade! I really hope OSU plays Louisville. then I can see OSU play right here!

Can you believe it is going to cost UofL $10 million to leave the BigEast but Maryland is going to have to pay $53 million to leave the ACC. ACC is wack!

hodge on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:18am #

I disagree. Auburn is a power school. Chizik might've ran them aground, but make no mistake; they have money to burn on top-tier coaching talent, and top-tier facilities. Add in a fertile recruiting ground (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida can supply blue-chip talent across the SEC and ACC without breaking a sweat), and an excellent recruiter in Strong (who also has pull from what he accomplished at UF), you're looking at the beginning of something big.

He may not be able to conquer Saban and run the conference (no one can), but I think he could at least be on-par with Les Miles--who still cannot manage a game to save his life. Throw in the SEC love-fest and the non-cannibalization of the league, and you're looking at a guy who doesn't need to beat 'Bama; the playoff is still plausable without it.

I'll admit that Arkansas was pushing it; you need the right guy to run that program. Miles could succeed there, I don't know if Strong has the name to recruit that kind of area (though it would get him into Texas).

btalbert25 on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:38am #

Auburn is going to get hit with sanctions, and I wouldn't be surprised if they get hit a little extra hard since they got away with the Cam Newton fiasco. If I'm a good coach, I don't touch that job. They have money but no way I touch that job if I'm Strong. He has a bright future if he gets the right opportunity. I don't think Auburn is that job right now. Maybe in 5 years, but not today.

hodge on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:42am #

True enough. Depending upon the severity of the sanctions, this could turn into an absolute dumpster fire. Granted, we all thought UNC was going to hit hit by the wrath of God--they hardly got a scratch.

Squirrel Master on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:42am #

Auburn could eventually compete, true. But as is, it would take 3-4 years to be competitive in that division and by that time Strong would be gone, just like Chizik. I'm not saying Chizik isn't at fault for what happened down there but the University really didn't give him much of a chance to build something consistent. Maybe chizik never would have, but they did pull that string pretty fast. Not to mention, they could be looking at some major sanctions soon. If I were Strong, I wouldn't go to a Bill O'brien situation. I'd much rather stay at Louisville who is desperate for a good coach that he would be guaranteed 4-5 years before failure would get him fired. They stuck with Kragthorpe for 3 and that guy was horrible! Not to mention Louisville has already said Strong has a blank check! Not like money is the issue.

Plus you proved a bit of my point, don't need to go to an SEC school to get recruits when you are as good as Strong is. He is already raiding Florida, Georgia and the south.

I think the move to ACC is a huge plus as well. It may not be the SEC but at least he can get into the playoff from there too. Louisville is on the rise! I would have preferred them to Rutgers in the B1G but I know its about demographics and Louisville doesn't compare to NY/NJ.

hodge on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:47am #

Well, I guess my point is that Auburn's recruiting hasn't exactly been lacking of late, so I'd place the blame squarely on coaching. The right guy can turn that ship around, and do it fast. Granted, he's going to be Saban's sawmill, but it's not like top-tier coaches are going to simply refuse to compete with him.

As I said to BT, the situation completely changes if the NCAA finds fire while investigating the smoke, but as of now I think many are vastly underrating that job.

I think Louisville's biggest barrier to get into the B1G wasn't just demographics, they're not part of the AAU. Unless you're ND, that's a deal breaker.

Oyster on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:50am #

Money will trump acedemics, and anyone who claims it won't is kidding themselves.

hodge on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:57am #

Hervey Pearlman, Chancellor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln:

"I doubt that our application would've been accepted had we not been a member of the [AAU]."

I'm a pretty cynical person, and though money provides the impetus for a great many decisions, I think our conference is really committed to sticking to strict academic criteria. Why else would we have gone after Maryland and not Va. Tech?

Squirrel Master on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:58am #

Academics is the biggest reason UofL doesn't go to B1G but I'm sure demographics has something to do with the selection of schools. Not going to get as much viewership in Louisville as you would in DC or NYC. but really, Louisville just doesn't belong. I just wish they did because then I wouldn't have to travel up to columbus or Indianapolis to see games. Wife won't let me move to Columbus! :(

I think under normal circumstances, Auburn is one of thee top programs. Just seems like it would be a mistake at the moment. Hate to go there and then find out about the sanctions.

I truly see Strong staying with Louisville at least another year if not until they get into the ACC. Then I can see him actually going to Florida or Georgia if/when they fire their coaches. Still stunned Mark Richt has survived this long. This year has really saved his ass.

corveyer on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:43am #

All valid points, but if I was Strong I would be really worried about the pending NCAA investigation. As admirably as Bill O'Brien and Urban handled the sanctions that got levied after they got hired, what up and coming coach whats to walk into a situation like that? Also, having now lived in SEC country for a few years, the general consensus is that if any team in the SEC is a incredibly dirty program its Auburn. During the Cam Newton years pretty much all of my friends had various dirty recruiting stories from kids who went to Auburn from their high schools and heard of the bags of cash, cars, etc. dropped off on recruits door steps. I'm sure having coached at Florida and being from the area Strong has heard about all that. For me it would probably be enough to keep me from pulling the trigger if I had the option. Then again "hypothetically speaking" becomes a much different decision when millions upon millions are on the table, as I am sure Auburn will make a big time offer.

osuforlife on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:11am #

Both Msu and Ole Miss keep better each year also Texas am is the same divsion.

clogan1032 on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:25am #

I don't understand why the ACC doesn't go after UC as well. UC needs to jump ship before they end up in CUSA again.

The Big East Conference. Like unicorns, the Lochness Monster and Big Foot. My kids will someday ask, "what's a Big East Conference"?

tennbuckeye19 on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:35am #

Adding Louisville will bring the ACC to 14 teams. UC is left out unless the ACC wants to go to 16, and add them and maybe UConn.

btalbert25 on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:43am #

I wouldn't be 1 bit surprised if they took UC and UConn next and then the remnants of the Big East, like St Johns, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence and Villanova join the A-10.

Squirrel Master on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:44am #

UC is pushing hard to go to ACC. UC isn't going to stick around in the BE. They know what is happening. Not sure where they can go though outside of the ACC.

osuforlife on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:29am #

There been rumors Louisville and Uc to ACC. They might end up in conferance USA if the big east folds.

corveyer on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:35am #

I do not think that Quicks decision will be based on Charlie Strong. He is a hometown kid and one the bigger recruits actually from Louisville since Brian Brohm, the pressure to stay must be pretty tough to deal with. If he stays he probably always was going to, and if he so chooses I cant really blame him. That said, I have actually always thought that Charlie Strong going would have given him a logical excuse to leave and go elsewhere (Ohio State or Oregon), rather than the other way around. But Strong staying and the ACC move will certainly make his choice harder.

Either way we will know in a few months. But for now, I think it's a fair assumption that Ohio State is the "leader" so to speak. The longer these battles go between an out of state power and a hometown school, the worse it is for the hometown school. He has not been to Oregon on an official visit yet and I believe he is still planning on going (I think)? So who knows what could happen on a visit there. The fact is he saw Ohio State at its best, in that he saw everything you want a recruit to see while on a visit. If he wasn't considering leaving Louisville he would have made a decision already or after that visit. Overall, I really like where Ohio State is sitting for him right now, I'm not the first to say it but I think Ohio State lands his services.

703Buckeye on 28 Nov 2012 - 11:52am #

Somewhat surprised the ACC took Louisville over UConn, especially given UConn's academic advantages over UL. The ACC had been somewhat picky about the academic qualifications of members but I guess UL's athletic investments outweigh any other concerns.

"Attack the Strong, Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!"
-Former OSU S&C Coach Lichter

tennbuckeye19 on 28 Nov 2012 - 12:00pm #

I posted this on the Buckshot story about this, but I'll post it here too:

This part of the article was interesting to me:

The ACC chose Louisville because it had the strongest football program of any available school in addition to an elite basketball program. It also adds a new geographic market. There had been a small amount of resistance heading into the ACC's 7 a.m. call on Wednesday because of the school's low academic profile.

Strong football, elite basketball, new geographic market > academics

And there you have what expansion is all about friends.

btalbert25 on 28 Nov 2012 - 12:26pm #

I think the whole academic angle of things is blow completely out of proportion anyway. Everytime I hear people knocking schools about academics it just gets on my nerves. It's not like Louisville turns out a bunch of people who can't read or get jobs with UofL degrees. I get research dollars and all that matter, but you don't have to be a top 50 public university to be a very good university.

tennbuckeye19 on 28 Nov 2012 - 12:34pm #

I agree, I just thought it was kind of funny that the SI article mentioned the "small amount of resistance" due to UofL's low academic profile, after pointing out their football, basketball, and geographic market.