** This thread discusses the Content article: Strong Issues in College Football **

Racism, bigotry, oppression, hate and lack of acceptance are great for the football program at the University of Florida.

Calm down and hold your horses before you pass judgment - let me explain. The Florida Gators do not advocate or support these absurd ideologies – you can now take a breath – but its opponents certainly do.

Otherwise, how can you explain the fact that a man like Charlie Strong has yet to be offered a head coaching job in NCAA Division-IA football? (Sorry, I do not recognize this new B.S. “FBS” designation.)

How can you explain that a man who has been defensive coordinator at one of the best and most talented football programs in the country for seven straight years, finding success under two different head coaches, has not advanced from said position?

Because he buttons the top button of his polo shirts? Please.

How can you explain that one of the best defensive minds in college football – a man who held the “best offense in NCAA history” in the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners to 14 points, did the same in 2006 to the Ohio State Buckeyes and whose defense only gave up more than 21 points in one game in all of 2008 – has not been recognized as such?

Because he graduated from the University of Central Arkansas? No way.

How can you explain that one of the best college recruiters (Rivals top 25) to come around the state of Florida (arguably the most talent-rich state in the union) cannot land a head coaching job at a university looking to dive into the aforementioned talent pool of the state?

Because he lost his only game as head coach, the 2004 Peach Bowl (five years ago), by 17 points? C'mon…

How can you explain that a man: with 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at major universities (Florida, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Southern Illinois, Texas A&M); who has coached in 19 bowl games (including 12 in January); who has coached under Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer; whose defenses at UF have (a) scored points off turnovers in 41 of 64 games, (b) intercepted 85 passes in five years, (c) ranked first in the SEC and second in the nation in rushing defense the past three seasons; and who will soon be the longest tenured defensive coordinator in school history, still has not been given a chance to do for another school what he has done so well at Florida?

Because he is an African-American man.

Because he has a Caucasian wife.

And because he refuses to apologize for either.

While Strong and the Gators have no problem with how he lives his life, the rest of the “Good Ol’ Boy Network” sure seems to. That is why the three previous responses can be the only answers to the aforementioned questions. That is why a man with a resume as stacked as Strong’s, with a passion for recruiting and coaching young men to be the best they can be, is looked over every off-season.

"If you think about it, a coach is standing up there representing the university,” Strong said as the Gators prepared for the FedEx BCS National Championship Game (his second in three years). “If you're not strong enough to look through that [interracial marriage], then you have an issue."

It does seem that the NCAA has issues, doesn’t it? There are seven black coaches at the nation's 119 major football schools after four were hired this December.

These schools must not be concerned with recruiting the best players, having a defense that stifles opposing offenses, building boys into young men with drive and character and, you know, winning football games.

They sure do have issues, Coach. But do you know who doesn’t have issues with you? Gators fans, Gators boosters, the student-athletes that accept your pitch, come to Florida to learn from one of the best defensive minds in the game, excel at their position and often get drafted quite high in the NFL.

Do you know who doesn’t have issues with you, Coach? Gator Nation. You will always be welcome here.

I'm just glad no one is rushing to take you away from us.

It's so easy to "play the race card" to try and get sympathy right now, especially since Obama took office, but now it's getting way out of hand. Heck, a black woman (I'm not PC - just a heads-up) who had a child out of wedlock is now suing Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears for support; she's also crying wolf by using the same excuse as to why she can't get a fair hearing from a judge - and that's absurd.

I also have a hard time accepting the fact that his interracial marriage is a hindrance. If that were such a big issue anywhere, there's no way Turner Gill or Lovie Smith, who are both black men married to white women, would hold head-coaching positions today. Therefore, your argument doesn't hold water and I need to agree to disagree with you here.

Charlie Strong's time will come; he just needs to be patient. Perhaps some teams are looking for more offensive-minded head coaches as opposed to defensive, and that's the reason why I see he hasn't been considered for a hard-coaching position just yet.

First of all, I'm not "playing the race card." And in any debate where you want to tell me that is not the reason for him still being a DC and not a head coach, give me reasons why he hasn't been interviewed and hired.

Lovie Smith is a terrible example as he's an NFL head coach, and the NFL institutes the Rooney Rule.

Turner Gill fits the bill, but he's coaching in Buffalo, a school widely known for standing up for African-American rights. Have you heard the story about their only bowl team in school history [prior to this year] refusing to play because their African-American teammate would not be allowed to?

That is as progressive of a school as any in this country. It is no surprise they accepted Gill. So why didn't Auburn or any number of the major universities with a job opening go after one of the best coaches of the year?

And besides, I did not say that every single school feels this way. Just a lot of them, especially the ones in direct competition with the Gators.

Teams are only looking for offensive-minded head coaches? That's not true either.

Before you tell me my contention does not hold water, I'd put together a more sound argument. :-D

Aren't you being a little too hot-headed?

I cited a couple of examples to prove my point. What more do you want?

Wasn't trying to come off as hot-headed. I just felt that the points you brought up were not close to good enough to claim my argument did not "hold water." So I went ahead and picked them apart.

And the smile face at the end was to make sure you knew I was not trying to come off that way.

adamsilver, you are right. O town Gator, just because the race card is played too often, doesn't mean that it is being played in this case. Adam makes his points supporting his conclusion regarding Charlie Strong. O town Gator, your points only support your assertion that the race card is played too often.

I agree with the original post. I am caucasion and I do feel that coach Strong has been overlooked several times in regards to being a head coach. If you look solely at a resume, you can't tell me that he should not be a head coach somewhere, and I mean somewhere big. This man has been instrumental to Gator Nation, and has been for years. I will be bold enough to say that without his service, Florida would not have the two national championships that we currently have. I don't know if he interviews well, and if that is the only problem, as has been reported, then you and I know it has to go back to race issues. Coach Strong is a class act, and being selfish, I am glad that no body has been willing to give him a shot. Can you honestly tell me that Lane Kiffin is better prepared to coach at Tennesee? Me thinks not. Someday, when Charlie does move on / retire, he will leave some mighty big shoes to fill. Congrats to Urban for recognizing his talents, and Jeremy Foley for keeping Coach at U.F., and Charlie, if you are reading this, don't you ever forget how much we, THE GATOR NATION, absolutely love and adore you. GO GATORS!!!

Thank you for your comments, Dan. You got exactly where I was going with my entry.