Jim Strong (American football coach)

James A. Strong (born November 16, 1954) is a former college football coach. He was the head coach at UNLV for four seasons, and served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

Jim Strong
Biographical details
Born (1954-11-16) November 16, 1954
Playing career
1974Missouri Southern
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1983Arkansas (assistant)
1984–1986Minnesota (assistant)
1987–1988Notre Dame (RB)
1989Notre Dame (OC)
1990–1993UNLV
Head coaching record
Overall17–27

Strong joined head coach Lou Holtz' staff at Arkansas in 1983, and followed him to Minnesota and eventually Notre Dame.[1] At Notre Dame, Strong had a successful tenure as offensive coordinator and offensive backfield coach, including the 1988 national championship season. In December 1989, Strong was named the head coach of the football program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In making the hire, the UNLV Athletic Director asserted Strong's background in recruiting, his energy, and the success of Notre Dame. His initial contract was for five-years at a salary of $95,000 a year.[2]

Strong arrived at a UNLV program that had fallen under the shadow of the highly successful men's basketball program under Jerry Tarkanian; in his first meeting with the university Faculty Senate, he noted "They don't know us because we are a premier academic institution. We will be someday. But they know us because we've got a basketball team that won the national championship."[3]

After leaving UNLV, Strong changed careers and became a real estate broker in Branson, Missouri.[4][5]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
UNLV Rebels (Big West Conference) (1990–1993)
1990 UNLV 4–73–45th
1991 UNLV 4–72–5T–5th
1992 UNLV 6–53–3T–4th
1993 UNLV 3–82–4T–7th
UNLV: 17–2710–16
Total:17–27

References
  1. LOU HOLTZ DENIES ALLEGATIONS, Deseret News, July 10, 1988, Accessed December 17, 2008.
  2. A Leader for Rebels, Associated Press, December 23, 1989, Accessed December 17, 2008.
  3. Robert Reihold, Campus Put on the Map by a Team, The New York Times, April 4, 1990, Accessed December 17, 2008.
  4. Joe Hawk, Absence of 6-8 Estandia leaves UNLV football team with big what-if, Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 28, 2004, Accessed December 17, 2008.
  5. Mark Anderson, Is there any solution for UNLV football?, Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 4, 2008, Accessed December 17, 2008.
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