HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by C.L. Brown, USA TODAY Sports

Back in August, University of Louisville football coach Charlie Strong openly lamented that conference realignment was beginning to hurt his staff’s recruiting efforts. Being affiliated with the Big East in football was to say the program was uncertain about its future.

That’s no longer a problem after Wednesday’s announcement that Louisville had accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“Absolutely, that was definitely being used against us, the instability of the conference, and understandably so,” recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said. “The instability of the conference was always going to be an issue. I would have used it as well. That’s smart.”

It was also wise of opposing schools to lure former Louisville football coaches John L. Smith and Bobby Petrino with the prospect of playing on a higher level. That could be gone now, too.

Joining the ACC seemingly becomes the panacea for all potential Louisville football ailments, the biggest being the insecurity that mounts over retaining a successful head coach.

Before Strong even had a winning record, his name would appear in coaching rumors whenever a job opened up, especially one in the South. It started with Miami in his first season. Last year the hot speculation was around Texas A&M and Penn State. This season he was being asked about Arkansas and Tennessee long before those positions were vacant.

Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said Strong has always reiterated that he wants to stay. Jurich doesn’t know if being in the ACC will now end the annual speculation, but he believes the Louisville job just got sweeter.

“I’m not seeing any reason he wouldn’t want to be here,” Jurich said. “To me, today, now it’s one of the premier jobs in America. Without a doubt.”

Attempts to reach Strong before the team left for tonight’s game at Rutgers were unsuccessful. In a released statement, he mentioned the ACC providing an improved home schedule and visibility.

“We are very excited and thankful to our administration, to Dr. James Ramsey and to Tom Jurich, for all their hard work in helping solidify our future as a football program and more importantly our entire … [For more on Louisville hopes move to ACC will ensure security, click here.]