SPORTS

Adam's Voicemail Bag: Charlie Strong reaction

Adam Himmelsbach
ahimmelsbach@courier-journal.com

Welcome to the first edition of Adam's Voicemail Bag. I'm trying something new here, and I'm hoping it can be a way to interact with you, share your thoughts about current sports topics, and share your thoughts--good or bad--about my stories. Since I started working here two years ago, you guys have left some glorious voicemails. So glorious, in fact, that I wanted to find a way to spread them.

Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. BYU beat Texas 41-7. Sep 6, 2014; Austin, TX

Here's how it'll work: You leave voicemails on my office phone (502) 582-4372 and I'll pick some to include in posts like this one. I'll never include your phone number and will not include your name if you don't want it to be included. You can rip my writing all you want, but let's steer clear of personal attacks. Also, the language has to be PG. If it couldn't appear in 'Frozen' it probably can't appear here. Other than that, it's open season.

And if phone calls aren't your thing, emails will be included, too. You can reach me at ahimmelsbach@courier-journal.com. OK, enough about rules and regulations, let's get to it.

This week, I wrote about local reaction to former Louisville coach Charlie Strong's Texas team getting drilled by BYU, 41-7. Here's the column if you missed it: http://cjky.it/1tm74Um

The article elicited strong reactions, and they were pretty evenly split between those who were rooting for Strong and those who wanted him to fail. Let's start with a voicemail.

The caller's first point about the way Charlie left came up quite a bit. I agree that he didn't handle his departure especially well. I think he'd even acknowledge that. I honestly think it all happened so quickly that he was overwhelmed and didn't take the time to say proper goodbyes, and I think he regrets that.

The second point was really interesting, and I think it gets to the heart of the issue. The caller said he wants Strong to fail because he wants Louisville coaches to understand the risk they are taking by seeking greener pastures. "You want them to know they can stay here and be successful and things can be just as good," the caller states. Fans want UofL to be a destination job for football, not a launching pad, and that's understandable. But there aren't many jobs that are inarguable steps up. It just so happens that Texas is one of them.

Ok, let's toss in an email to mix things up. This is an excerpt:

If someone kicks me to the gutter for a prettier piece, why the heck would I not be bitter and revel in their failure? We are only human after all and that is how our feelings and emotions work. Ultimately, I only care about the success of the Cardinals, but I guarantee you I will be more than happy to add Charlie to the many casualties that have left The Ville for better jobs and crashed and regretted it. Write it down. Charlie will fail at Texas and he will regret leaving the loyal fan base at Louisville that would have lived with his ups and downs through the years. -Michael H.

(By the way, I won't include your last names in these things unless you guys ask me to.) This message hit on a common theme of the responses. 'We want Charlie to fail because we're mad at Charlie for leaving.' It's a reasonable argument. My main counterpoint is urging fans to step back and look at all the good Charlie did to turnaround this football program, carrying himself as a model citizen throughout his time here. Let's take another call. Well, another voicemail. Well, you guys know what I mean.

This caller brings up an interesting point. I absolutely agree that Florida would have been a better landing spot for Charlie. The problem was that the Florida job wasn't open, and when Texas calls, you just can't sit around and hope that the Florida job will someday be an option.

Anyway, here are a few email excerpts from readers who are on Team Charlie.

I don't know anyone who begrudges Mr Strong for taking a premier job or wants him to fail. Most of us understand U of L is not the most glamorous coaching job. Mr Strong is well liked and appreciated in most circles for the kind of person he is and his passion for the game. -Steve R.

I agree that enjoying a Texas defeat is in bad taste. Everyone needs to realize the he is first changing the culture he inherited at Texas and that will result in short term anguish for players and fans. The long term effect will be players growing in positive adult behavior, citizenship and personal achievement; and the effect of that will be success on the field! --Doug S.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I appreciate all Coach Strong did for this program and I have no doubt he will, in time, do great things for Texas. I certainly wish him well. Thanks for your article. --anonymous

Only the [expletives] are hoping that Charlie fails. The long-time season ticket holders and knowledgeable fans appreciate the wonderful job he did at UofL. --Jim G.

Jim, watch that language! But as you can see, there is quite a but of support for Charlie, even after his departure. Here's the final voicemail of the day.

Ok, this person mostly just agreed with me, and I swear that wasn't my dad. It might have been my uncle. Just kidding. And finally, so we don't end with someone patting me on the back, here's one last email. I'm including the entire message, and it's sort of long, but I thought it might have been the most reasoned of the bunch.

Don't take flippant remarks so seriously. Things people say as fans usually aren't their overall feelings and probably not even close. Especially in a fun atmosphere. Even more if alcohol is involved. There's always that small part of us as a fan that wants validation that an ex coach needs to realize he made a mistake leaving and it comes out in that environment.

And when a coach makes stupid remarks about fans that adds a lot of fuel to that fire. So seeing BYU beating Texas probably brought those feelings out of most UofL fans for a while.

I'm sure I speak for most fans in wishing Strong well. I really do want him to succeed. At least the 95-to-99%, rational, non-emotional part of me does. :)

But he said and did some things that seemed childish and petulant. Telling us to be more like our rival fans was weak. Especially after a 9:30 AM Card March on a cold November morning, the game after his team didn't even show up for it. Not talking to his players before (or at least soon after) his leaving for Texas went public, at least by phone, was disingenuous, selfish and unprofessional.

So chuckling at his team struggling is natural. But it doesn't mean you really want him to fail. I honestly do want to see he and his family to do well. I like him and appreciate the great job he did here. He seems like a good person and did amazing things for our program. I won't forget that. Unless maybe I've had a few beers and am having fun, taking a break from real life for a little while. ;)

Thanks, Scott

We'll wrap this first installment of the voicemail-bag up with that one. I'm hoping to make this a regular feature here. So remember to call (502-582-4372), email (ahimmelsbach@courier-journal.com) or send me a message on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.