Report: Louisville, coach Charie Strong working on extension

Louisville Cardinals head coach Charlie Strong reacts during the second half of play against the Connecticut Huskies at Papa John’s Cardinals Stadium. Connecticut defeated Louisville 23-20. (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)

First things first, despite Strong’s reluctance to answer any questions regarding his coaching future at Louisville, Strong was officially offered the head job at Tennessee.

But he is not likely to take it.

According to reports, he and Louisville are working on extending Strong’s current deal, as he is putting the finishing touches on the third of a five-year deal. The contract he is currently under pays him $2.3 million annually.

[In-depth look at Strong's reactions to the coaching rumors swirling about him]

The Cardinals gave Strong his long-awaited shot at joining the head coaching ranks. However, he is 52 years old and Tennessee has reportedly offered a contract that, although the details were never substantiated, would make Strong one of the richest coaches in the country.

Thus, there seems to be a genuine conflict within Strong, but at this point reports have him leaning towards continuing the building process with Louisville.

In his three seasons in charge, the Cardinals have posted a 24-14 record. The win-loss mark includes a share of two consecutive Big East championships, a 10-2 record in 2012 and a date in the Sugar Bowl as the conference’s BCS representative.

He possesses a deep knowledge of the effort it takes to recruit and coach in the SEC, having spent eight seasons as an assistant at Florida, but now it is looking like Strong will be the latest in an increasing line of names to turn down the Vols’ job.

Former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jon Gruden and current Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy are two of the biggest names to have publicly turned down the position. Another name that has surfaced recently is Larry Fedora, who went 12-2 in 2011 with Southern Miss before leading the Tar Heels to an 8-4 regular season record in his first year in Chapel Hill.

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