I'ts starting already. Again.

With his nationally-ranked defense as the glue that's holding Florida's undefeated season together, defensive coordinator Charlie Strong's name is already being thrown around the head coaching rumor mill.

Strong has already been linked to the Memphis job after Tommy West was fired this week, and you can bet that's only the start.

But Strong, who is in his 26th season in the profession, said he doesn't have time to acknowledge the rumors or worry about whether he'll finally get an opportunity at the end of the season to become a head coach. 

"I just have to work and continue to do this job,'' Strong said Wednesday night. "Right now, this is my whole focus, just making sure our defense goes out and plays well and performs well.''

Florida coach Urban Meyer and Strong's former boss, Steve Spurrier have both endorsed Strong as a strong head coaching candidate.

"My whole focus is here right now,'' Strong said. "That's great (coaches pulling for him), but we've just got to wait for it to happen.''