STRONG TO STAY AT LOUISVILLE AS FOOTBALL COACH 12/6/12

Charlie Strong will remain as the football coach at the University of Louisville. Strong made the announcement this morning in a news conference. Strong had been deciding whether to accept an offer from Tennessee worth at least $3.5 million annually, sources said, but Strong turned down the Vols and will return to UL.

Louisville was working on extending Strong's five-year deal, worth about $2.3 million a year, sources said. Louisville has not yet announced an extension agreement with Strong.

Ever since Strong's name has been linked to other openings, Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said multiple times he would do whatever was necessary to keep Strong.

In three seasons at Louisville, Strong is 24-14. This year, he led the Cardinals to a 10-2 record, a share of the Big East title and a berth in the AllState Sugar Bowl against Florida.