Linebackers have thrived under Charlie Strong

Charlie Strong is returning to his roots as a college position coach. Strong has an extensive history as a college football assistant coach dating back to 1983 as a graduate assistant at Florida. Strong has eight years of experience as a LB coach in college and his one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

Throughout his career, Charlie Strong has coached All-Americans and several players who played in the NFL. Linebackers have thrived under Strong when he has been a position coach, defensive coordinator and head coach. Miami needs improved play from the LBs during the 2022 season.

Caleb Johnson was signed as a transfer from UCLA this offseason. Johnson is projected as the starting middle LB for Miami in 2022. Miami is in transition at LB. Johnson is in and Tirek Austin-Cave and Deshawn Troutman have entered the transfer portal. Miami is likely to make LB a priority in recruiting.

Strong began coaching LBs early in his career at Florida in 1988 and ’89. After 10 years of coaching primarily the defensive line, Strong became the DC at South Carolina in 1999. Strong helped lead South Carolina from 0-11 in 1999 to 8-4 in 2000. The Gamecocks were sixth nationally allowing 15.1 points per game.

Strong has an impressive list of LBs he has coached. Some of those LBs have excelled immediately earning freshmen All-American. Wesley Bissaithe has a chance to excel for Miami as a true freshman in 2022. Strong has proven his ability to coach defense in several different conferences.

Below is a list of some of the best LBs that Strong has coached throughout his career. Their numbers are impressive. Getting better LB play will help improve the entire Miami defense. Getting the LBs to play at the same level as the players listed below would be impressive for Strong.

• Channing Crowder-Florida 2003: 106 tackles  2004 Third on UF with 73 tackles
• Earl Everett Florida 2005-05: 157 tackles, nine TFLs, 3.5 sacks
• Brandon Siler Florida 2005-06: 141 tackles, 19 TFLs, seven sacks, seven pass breakups
• Brandon Spikes Florida 2006-09: 307 tackles, 31.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, six interceptions, four TDs nine pass breakups
• Dexter Heyman 2011 Louisville 90 tackles, 16.0  TFLs and 4.5 sacks
• Preston Brown Louisville career 2010-13 297 tackles, 22.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks
• James Burgess Louisville 2012-15 260 tackles, 30 TFLs, four sacks, seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
• Jordan Hicks Texas: 2014 All-American. 248 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks

Strong will work with Co-Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele who has 40 years of experience in coaching. Miami has not been able to develop elite LBs since four-year starters Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman departed after the 2019 season. With Strong as the new LB coach, Miami should receive better play at LB.