TAMPA, OCT 17, 2017 – After guiding USF to a 6-0 start, equaling the best in program history, and the Bulls' highest ranking since 2008, USF Head Coach Charlie Strong has been named to the watch list for the 2017 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Leader of the No. 16/13-ranked Bulls (6-0; 3-0 American), who own the nation's longest active win streak at 11 games, Strong was joined on the 20-member watch list by Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Dave Doeren (N.S. State), James Franklin (Penn State), Scott Frost (UCF), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Clay Helton (USC), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Mike Leach (Washington State), Rocky Long (San Diego State), Urban Meyer (Ohio State), Mike Norvell (Memphis), Gary Patterson (TCU), Chris Petersen (Washington), Mark Richt (Miami), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), Nick Saban (Alabama), Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Dabo Swinney (Clemson).