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Sporting News doesn’t place much stock in USF’s Charlie Strong

The Bulls’ third-year coach is ranked 71st among current Division I-A coaches.
 
USF coach Charlie Strong, right, gestures as his team runs through drills prior to their game against East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Tampa. (CHRIS URSO | Times)
USF coach Charlie Strong, right, gestures as his team runs through drills prior to their game against East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Tampa. (CHRIS URSO | Times)
Published June 13, 2019

Based on at least one national media outlet, Charlie Strong's approval ratings reflect his 2018 team.

Sinking steadily after a promising start.

Strong, entering his third season at USF, ranks 71st in Sporting News’ latest annual ranking of all Division I football coaches. In the 2018 rankings, he was ranked 33rd, before the Bulls lost their final six games to finish 7-6 last fall.

The 38-spot tumble is steeper than the one taken by Willie Taggart, down 13 spots to No. 48 after presiding over the first losing season at FSU since 1976; or UCLA’s Chip Kelly, down 11 spots to 29th after managing only three wins in his first season with the Bruins.

Related: MORE USF: USF-Miami series another financial boon for Bulls

Perhaps more discouraging (at least for USF fans): Strong is ranked fifth among American Athletic Conference coaches, behind UCF’s Josh Heupel (55), Houston first-year coach Dana Holgorsen (56), Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell (59) and Memphis’ Mike Norvell (63).

Only a year ago, Strong ranked highest among AAC coaches on the same list.

All of which proves...well...zilch. Last year, Miami’s Mark Richt was sixth overall on the same list, and Louisville’s Bobby Petrino was 26th.

Neither are currently employed.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.