Tennessee went after Charlie Strong. It appears Charlie Strong will be staying in Louisville. He reportedly turned down a contract offer from Tennessee and will sign a lucrative extension to stay with the Cardinals long term.

Louisville and Strong are finalizing a long-term extension that could be announced as early as Thursday. It’s expected to be a significant commitment in both years and dollars and will reportedly put Strong in the top echelon of coaches in the ACC.

The Louisville extension ends Tennessee’s courtship of Strong, who had one brief meeting on Sunday with Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek in Louisville. That was Strong’s only direct contact with another university.

It’s not clear where Tennessee goes from here. It’s not clear what Tennessee’s plan is. It’s not clear who will be formulating the plans. As incredible as it would have seemed just a few years ago, no one wants the Tennessee job. Coaches opted to stay at relative backwaters such as Louisville and Oklahoma State. The unintended consequence of TV money.

Does Tennessee readjust its sights for a Butch Jones? Do they bite the bullet on a Bobby Petrino or a Jim Tressel? Do they supplicate before Phil Fulmer? Throw a boat load of money at Kirby Smart? Give up football? Have we reached Houston Nutt territory yet?

It’s worth noting Brady Hoke, out of San Diego State, was not Michigan’s first choice. Jim Tressel, out of I-AA Youngstown State, was not Ohio State’s first choice. Sometimes these things work out for the best…and sometimes you end up with a Derek Dooley.

[Photo via Getty]