Current Coaching Position
Charlie Strong is currently serving as a senior defensive assistant and defensive line coach for the Texas Longhorns. In this role, he works closely with the defensive coordinator to develop the defensive line rotation and coordinate run-stopping schemes. His presence adds veteran NFL-level coaching experience to an SEC defensive staff that is focused on improving interior pressure and gap discipline.
Strong's current responsibilities include mentoring young defensive linemen, refining technique in the trenches, and helping install new defensive concepts during spring and fall practices. He also assists with recruiting evaluations, especially for defensive linemen in Texas and the surrounding region, leveraging his long-standing reputation in the state.
Recent Career Timeline and Key Roles
Before joining Texas, Charlie Strong served as the head coach at the University of South Florida from 2017 to 2022, where he rebuilt the program's recruiting pipeline and improved the team's overall defensive identity. He also previously held defensive coordinator and assistant coaching roles at several other major programs, including Texas, where he first gained prominence as a defensive coach under Mack Brown.
His career path includes stops at Florida, Georgia, and multiple other Power 4 programs, giving him a broad knowledge of different defensive schemes and player development systems. Each role has added to his track record of developing NFL-caliber defensive linemen and improving team defenses, which is why Texas brought him back into the program in a senior advisory and coaching capacity.
Why His Current Role Matters
Charlie Strong's return to Texas as a senior defensive assistant is significant because the Longhorns are competing for top recruiting classes and bowl eligibility in a tough SEC West division. His ability to connect with large defensive linemen and teach them how to play with power and discipline has been a consistent theme throughout his career. This background makes him a valuable mentor for a Texas defense that is trying to improve its interior run defense and create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
From a fan and recruiting perspective, Strong's presence signals a commitment to defense and player development, which can influence high school prospects choosing between Texas and other SEC and Big 12 programs. His current role is not a head coaching position, but it gives him direct influence over defensive technique, practice planning, and the evaluation of future NFL draft prospects at the collegiate level.