Red McCombs, a wealthy and powerful booster at the University of Texas, recently called the hire of Charlie Strong a kick in the face. Here is a portion of the dialog as posted on ESPN:
“I think the whole thing is a bit sideways,” McCombs said of the selection process during an interview with ESPN 1250 San Antonio. “I don’t have any doubt that Charlie is a fine coach. I think he would make a great position coach, maybe a coordinator.
“But I don’t believe [he belongs at] what should be one of the three most powerful university programs in the world right now at UT-Austin. I don’t think it adds up.”
If you are Strong this is probably not how you’d like to begin your tenure as head coach, with a vote of no confidence from boosters. But this is the type of adversity Charlie Strong has dealt with his whole coaching career, and this is exactly why he is the right choice for Texas.
Strong is a man who was looked over many times for head coaching positions until Louisville finally gave him a chance. He went to Louisville and delivered, his record speaks for itself. While McCombs may have wanted the likes of Jon Gruden, or another celebrity, Texas chose to go with a college football coach with a chip on his shoulder.
Red McCombs’ criticism might just be the best gift he’s given to UT, he helped stoke the fire that drives Charlie Strong. Strong will make Texas a perennial winner again because he will impose his will on the program. Strong is one of those unique individuals who takes criticism and lets it fuel him, not destroy him.
Take your shots at Charlie Strong if you’d like, and no disrespect to Mack Brown, but Strong is exactly what UT needs, a football coach who refuses to back down, especially when he is challenged.