Charlie Strong’s USF Salary Released, Deal Worth Five Years
Charlie Strong's USF salary details have been released. The deal is for five years and is backloaded due to Strong's buyout with Texas.
Charlie Strong’s salary with USF has been released. He’ll start out making $1 million annually from the Bulls.
Charlie Strong is the new head coach at South Florida, replacing Willie Taggart following the latter’s departure across the country to Oregon.
For Strong it presents a chance to resurrect his head coaching career following three lackluster years with the Texas Longhorns. Strong was fired following a second straight 5-7 campaign. He posted a 16-21 overall record while in Austin, and never could get his footing as far as the win-loss column goes.
Strong’s salary with USF was released on Tuesday. The deal is for five years and worth $9.8 million total, according to Tampa Bay Times sports reporter Joey Knight. The contract is backloaded, due to Strong’s $10.7 million buyout with Texas. He had two years remaining on his guaranteed contract.
Strong will make $1 million annually from USF during the first two years – $500,000 base salary and the remainder to come via incentives.
From Years 3-to-5, Strong’s salary will increase to approximately $2.5 million.
Strong’s buyout is $2.5 million before Jan. 1, 2018, and will decrease to $1.7 million if he stays longer.
It’s a win-win for both USF, who gets Strong at a cheaper cost, and Texas, who gets to unload some of the guaranteed money owed to its former coach thanks to the Bulls.
This marks Strong’s third head coaching stint since 2010, when he took over Louisville. With the Cardinals he amassed a 37-15 overall record and was one of the hottest coaching names in the country.
Unfortunately, due to many circumstances, his success with the Cardinals did not translate over to the Longhorns.
USF, however, presents the perfect opportunity for Strong. He is familiar with recruiting the state of Florida, having coached under Steve Spurrier, Ron Zook, and Urban Meyer with the Gators. He also has a great roster, headlined by quarterback Quinton Flowers, to work with right out of the gate.
