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College Football coaching salaries 2017: Worth it, not worth it

By Nathaniel Reeves

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 14: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls gives directions to his team during warmups prior to their game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Raymond James Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 14: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls gives directions to his team during warmups prior to their game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Raymond James Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images) /

Worth it: Charlie Strong 

South Florida made the best possible hire in Strong to offset the sudden departure of Willie Taggart, and didn’t have to open the pocket book for a potential 10-plus win season.

Strong initially made a name for himself as the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2003-09, and rewarded Urban Meyer’s decision to keep him by helping the Gators win two national championships. As one of the hottest head coaching prospects in the country, Strong then joined Louisville and quickly helped the Cardinals recover from the Steve Kragthorpe era with a 37-15 record over four years, including a Sugar Bowl win over Florida.

Such a prolific record caught the attention of Texas, but Strong didn’t ever feel like a good fit and wasn’t able to get the Longhorns off the ground with a 16-21 mark over three seasons. The failed tenure doesn’t necessarily mean Strong is a bad coach, and South Florida moved quickly to hire him after Taggart bolted for Oregon.

South Florida is enjoying an excellent 9-2 campaign and nearly pulled off the upset against undefeated UCF. Strong’s mark on the Bulls defense has been felt, as they are surrendering just 22.5 points per game compared to a miserable mark of 31.6 a year ago to key the successful season.

The Bulls are getting a major bargain with Strong making just $1 million this season to rank 77th in the country. As it might be some time before a Power Five team is interested in hiring Strong, South Florida should continue to thrive without having to break the bank.

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