college football

Strong's U of L Contract Extension, Pay Raise Approved

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:23 +0000

The University of Louisville has approved an eight-year contract extension for football coach Charlie Strong.

The deal will pay Strong an annual base salary of $3.7 million, plus numerous performance bonuses, making him one of the country’s highest-paid college football coaches.

U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich says Strong deserves it.

"I think he’s already lived up to it and earned it and in every aspect of his coaching ability, he’s got an A+ from me," he said.

Report: NCAA to Cite U of L Assistant Hurtt

Rick Howlett — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:06:37 +0000

University of Louisville assistant football coach Clint Hurtt could be accused this week of violating NCAA rules when he was an assistant at the University of Miami.

A source tells CBS Sports that Hurtt, who’s U of L’s recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach, will be cited for unethical conduct for alleged recruiting violations at Miami, where he was on staff from 2007 to 2009.

Strong: Cards Motivated by Underdog Status in Sugar Bowl

Rick Howlett — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

After a month of preparation, the University of Louisville football team is in New Orleans to take on Florida in the Sugar Bowl Wednesday night.

Cards coach Charlie Strong says his players are well aware of their underdog status against the 11-1 Gators, whom some are picking to win by two touchdowns or more.

WKU Loses in Little Caesars Bowl, 24-21

Rick Howlett — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 04:27:40 +0000

In college football, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers fell to Central Michigan 24-21 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Wednesday night in Detroit.

With less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, WKU passed up an opportunity for a game-tying field goal on fourth down, instead attempting a pass play deep in Central Michigan territory. But the Chippewas broke up the play to secure the victory.

Western Kentucky finishes the season with a 7-6 record. The Hilltoppers were led by interim coach Lance Guidry , who took over when Willie Taggart left for South Florida.

Petrino Introduced As New Coach of the WKU Hilltoppers

Rick Howlett — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:14:12 +0000

Western Kentucky University has introduced Bobby Petrino as the school’s 18th football coach.

Petrino returns to the college game eight months after his firing from Arkansas for lying about an extramarital affair he had with a woman on his staff.

"I'm honored to sit in front of you as the head coach of Western Kentucky University," Petrino said at a late afternoon news conference.

Western Confirms: Petrino Is New WKU Football Coach

Rick Howlett — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:59:52 +0000

Former University of Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino will be introduced as the new head coach at Western Kentucky University today.

Western has confirmed that Petrino will be the Hilltoppers’ 18^th football coach.

Joker Phillips Hired At Florida

Associated Press — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:14:35 +0000

Former Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips has landed a job at the University of Florida.

Phillips will join the Gators as receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Florida coach Will Muschamp says Phillips will begin work Friday, adding that his "background as a head coach and the number of years he has coached wide receivers will be a tremendous asset to our coaching staff and players.”

Phillips was a longtime receivers coach before taking over at Kentucky in 2010.

Charlie Strong 'Very Annoyed' By Rumors of Job Interviews

Rick Howlett — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:53:39 +0000

University of Louisville football coach Charlie Strong says he won’t discuss any rumors that he’s a candidate for coaching vacancies as the Cards prepare for their Sugar Bowl matchup next month.

Strong spoke to reporters a day after learning that the Cards will play Florida in the BCS game January 2nd in New Orleans.

Last week as the Cards were preparing for their season finale at Rutgers, Strong shot down a report that he had interviewed for the Auburn coaching job.

Cards Soccer Team Falls at Maryland; Football Bowl Pairings Coming Sunday

Rick Howlett — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 00:22:38 +0000

The University of Louisville men’s soccer team fell short in their bid to reach the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, losing 3-1 at Maryland today.

The Cards were vying for their second-ever trip to the College Cup national semifinals. They finish the season with a 14-6 record. Maryland moves on to play Georgetown Friday.

Cards Topple Rutgers 20-17; Projected for Major Bowl Game

Rick Howlett — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:19:20 +0000

The University of Louisville football team is headed to its first top-tier bowl game in six years after defeating Rutgers 20-17 tonight in New Jersey.

Teddy Bridgewater and Will Stein shared duties at quarterback, and it was Bridgewater’s two touchdown passes in the third quarter that gave the Cards their first lead of the game.

Rutgers tied the game at 17 midway through the fourth quarter, but a 29 yard field goal by John Wallace with less than two minutes remaining put U of L ahead for good.