Louisville is expected to hire Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong as its new football coach, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. Strong would replace Steve Kragthorpe, who was fired on Nov. 28 following three disappointing seasons. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet final. The hiring must be approved by the Louisville Athletic Association's board of directors, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Strong and Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich spoke several times this week about the opening. The two met in Florida on Sunday and talked by phone on Monday. Jurich also received a phone call last week from former NFL coach Tony Dungy in support of Strong.
If hired Strong, 49, will be tasked with returning the Cardinals to prominence. Louisville went just 15-21 during Kragthorpe's three-year tenure, including a 4-8 mark this season.