Charlie Strong has waited years for the opportunity that's coming Saturday -- stepping on a football field as a head coach.

But Strong isn't waxing poetic about the moment.

"We're just moving so quickly that you don't get a chance to sit back," Strong said. "I haven't thought about it. When you're a coordinator, you want your unit to play well, and I want this football team to play well."

Reflection is for those with free time. Strong has too much work to do to make Louisville a winning program again, and he won't get an easy start.

The Cardinals open against rival Kentucky. And while enthusiasm is high -- the newly expanded Papa John's Cardinal Stadium is sold out for Saturday's game -- that will only go so far. Kentucky has been to four straight bowl games and is looking for its fourth consecutive win in this series, while Louisville is still a work in progress.

"They should have a lot of confidence because of what has happened in the past," Strong said. "We're one of those teams searching for an identity. We just need to know who we are right now."

Strong would like his team's identity to be one of aggressiveness, particularly on defense, which was his calling card at Florida. But he admits that the defense is undersized and inexperienced, while the players as a whole lack confidence after three straight non-winning seasons. Strong said he told the players in a meeting this week just "to play with passion, play with energy."

The team is sure to have lots of energy at the start in front of the largest crowd in school history, breaking in Strong's career in a rivalry game. But that adrenaline will wear off quickly, and then it comes down to execution.

Strong is already a popular figure among the Louisville fan base, and nothing will endear him quicker than a win over the hated Wildcats. He knows the game is important for more than just this season, as well.

"What's really big about this game is that we have six, probably seven recruits in this state next year that are really, really good players," he said. "This game can really set the tone, because if you win it you can kind of be one up on [Kentucky] as far as recruiting those young men. It's very critical for setting the tone for this state."

And it will set the early tone for Charlie Strong's head coaching career.