Charlie Strong issues statement after getting ripped by Tampa judge
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Charlie Strong found his name in the headlines for the wrong reasons on Monday, when a Tampa judge called him out for recent arrests involving USF players.
Judge Margaret Taylor of Tampa slammed Strong during a court appearance for Bulls defensive lineman Ladarris Jackson, who was charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment.
This court, and I’m sure I’m not alone, questions whether you have control over your players,” Taylor said during her now viral comments. “It’s fairly clear, you do not have control of them off the field, and I guess only time will tell whether you have control over them on the field.”
Strong has issued his own statement in response:
In the short time I have been here our program has been built on character, discipline and family. We have wonderful young men in the USF football program who choose to do the right thing every day. We are dedicated to recruiting young men of high character, and to consistently developing them with structure and frequent education regarding appropriate conduct and behavior, on and off the playing field. While I am shocked and saddened at the recent arrest of a member of our team, I am disappointed that the actions of two players over the last two months have harmed the reputation of our program, of our wonderful university and of my character. We have high expectations of our coaches, staff and student-athletes and we hold accountable those who act contrary to our values.
The comments turned heads in the college football community as Strong, a long-time SEC assistant, has a reputation as a disciplinarian as a head coach, especially during his tenure at Texas. Jackson had already been suspended from team activities prior to Taylor’s comments. Strong also kicked off USF safety Hassan Childs after he was arrested for aggravated assault and marijuana possession.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
