Strong would not be the answer IMHO, see Texas. Who would want to come and play for Strong over Saban, Mahlzan, Smart, or whom ever Tinerc and aTm hire? Who ya taking in a Strong versus Saban, Mahlzan, or Smart game?
Along with the "culture fit" fiasco, this idea that we have to have a "Gator" is also complete nonsense. There is no easier place to recruit 5 stars (outside of Florida) than Texas and Strong did exactly what with his opportunity there? So, we get a "Gator", who "fits the culture" and go 8-4 every year. Let's see a show of hands who is ok with that?
As I mentioned before, and got a lot of flack for it, we had a three week head start and MAY end up with our 5th or 6th option at HC. If this happens to be the case, we can officially retire the "we are UF" argument moving forward because it will have proven to mean absolutely NOTHING. Welcome to mediocrity my friends. Excellence takes a commitment we may very well not be willing to accept now at UF.
I hold out a glimmer of hope the SS can pull this off but make no mistake, there is a monumental drop off after CK and SF IMO.