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STORYLINES
Charlie Strong, most recently the defensive coordinator at Florida, takes over as Louisville’s head coach for the 2010 season. It is Strong’s first head coaching assignment after 27 years as an assistant.
Strong was a three-time finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He was a member of two national championship staffs at Florida (2007, 2009).
Louisville’s coaching staff is entirely new, with the exception of secondary coach Larry Slade. Former UNLV head coach Mike Sanford will be the offensive coordinator, while former Florida assistant Vance Bedford oversees the defense.
Louisville is 7-3 in nonconference games in the past two seasons, but went just 2-12 in the BIG EAST in that span.
OFFENSE
Louisville returns three different players who started at quarterback last season — Adam Froman, Justin Burke and Will Stein.
Froman threw at least one touchdown pass in each of his last six games.
RB Victor Anderson — the 2008 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year — was limited by injuries to just eight games played in 2009.
The Cardinals return two of their top three leaders in receptions from last year in WR Doug Beaumont and TE Cameron Graham.
Four of the five starters from last year’s offensive line return.
DEFENSE
The Cardinals look to improve a defense that ranked seventh in the BIG EAST in both points and yards allowed last year.
Only five players who started at least six games on defense return from last season.
DE Greg Scruggs, who started all 12 games last season, is the top returning player on the defensive line. Scruggs had 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks last season.
Two starting linebackers return in Brandon Heath and Antwon Canady. Dexter Heyman, who spent the 2009 season on the defensive line, returns to linebacker for 2010.
CB Johnny Patrick has made 14 consecutive starts and had two interceptions and a team-high five pass breakups last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Chris Philpott handled kickoff duties and was 5-for-5 in field goal attempts last season.
