But he didn't ask for permission to talk to Strong? Seems like an effective approach to hiring a coach to me. And yet, they may or may not have met at an undisclosed location? If they met at a bar in a neutral location, Patterson doesn't need permission?
I s'pose. So the report in OB that they met in a neutral location is wrong. OB also claims that Patterson has already interviewed Franklin and contacted Gruden as well.
Handler, What you are missing is that Strong plays a schedule a little less challenging than Lake Travis or Cedar Park. He is losing his meal ticket. He is indeed moving to a BCS conference as the BCS ceases to exist, but that conference has only one real football team - FSU. He is in a ******** city, which thanks God every day for Columbus, Ohio, since it keeps Loserville from being the worst spot on an interstate in this country. So, let's see, Patterson would want to pay Korn Ferry $250, 000 for his phone number so he could offer him $4.5 million to be our version of John Blake. He is totally unproven, but who on that list has a long track record as a HC?
The one thing that is certain is that no matter who Patterson hires, unless it's a Saban or a Harbaugh, lots of Horn fans will be pissed at the hire. As others have pointed out, if the internet had been around in '58, lots of Horn fans would have questioned the hiring of a young OU grad with a mediocre record at Miss. St and Wash.
I'm a little curious about why Strong is a hot commodity as well. Louisville has had a string of successful coaches that have disappointed at larger programs. I understand the back-to-back 11-2, 12-1 seasons, but how much of that is due to Teddy Bridgewater? And Louisville is the big fish that has been in several small ponds over the past decade or so. It's more noticeable when they aren't successful. I'm not bagging on Strong, I'm just not sold on him.
Today's AA-S article (by Kirk Bohls and Brian Davis) says Patterson and Strong met for four hours in L' ville, and that Strong "is now contacting current Texas assistants to see what kind of staff he can piece together." "But Patterson also told Strong he would be interviewing other candidates."
What a huge mistake Strong would be . Look at his record. I am guessing his interest went up now that Bridgewater is going pro? Maybe we should hire old man O'Leary from CFla that beat both Strong and Briles?
