It is a contradiction that has worked wonders at Florida: The architect of one the most aggressive, attacking and punishing defenses in the nation, Charlie Strong, is one of the most mild-mannered and well-liked coaches in the nation.

“It would be hard to find someone more respected and well-liked in the college football world than Charlie Strong,” Florida Coach Urban Meyer said. “He’s passionate and hard-working, but he takes the job of molding men very seriously. Charlie is the type of person who can walk into any situation and be well-liked, well-received and represent the University of Florida to the highest degree.”

It should be no surprise that Strong is a two-time Broyles’ Award finalist (he was a finalist with South Carolina in 2000). Strong has been an assistant coach for 25 years and has found success at every stop along the way. But this season, what he has done with his group of Gators may be Strong’s most impressive job to date.

Strong lost his entire starting lineup from the 2006 national championship team, and he had to start over in 2007. It did not take long for this well-recognized recruiter to rebuild; Florida made the nation’s biggest improvement in scoring defense from last season. The Gators allow an average 12.3 points per game, fourth-best nationally, an improvement of 13.2 points per game from last season.

The 11-1 Gators, who are ranked No. 4 in the BCS standings and hoping to earn a shot at a national championship with a victory over Alabama in the SEC Championship game this Saturday, lead the nation in turnover margin (1.75 per game), are second in interceptions (23) and are seventh in total defense (275 yards per game). Florida ranks first in the SEC and second in the nation in rushing defense the past three seasons, allowing only 89.7 yards per game.

The Gators offense, with reigning Heisman-trophy winner Tim Tebow garner most of the headlines, but the defense has been equally dominating, which is why most Gator games have been blowouts this season. Florida’s first-team defense has not allowed a touchdown since an Oct. 11 game against LSU. The Gators have outscored its opponents 134-3 in the first quarter over the past seven games, and Florida has allowed just three first-half touchdowns all season. In nine of 12 games, Florida held its opponent without a touchdown in at least one half.

Junior linebacker Brandon Spikes leads this ball-hawking defense. Spikes, who became the first underclassman since 1999 to earn SEC coaches’ first-team All-SEC honors leads the team with 80 tackles, including eight for a loss. Carlos Dunlap has nine sacks and Ahmad Black has six interceptions on the season.

With numbers like these, it is no surprise that Strong is consistently mentioned as a head-coaching candidate whenever a major job opens. He certainly has the top-flight experience for a head position—Strong’s other coaching stops have included South Carolina, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Southern Illinois and Texas A&M.

And Strong does have one rather influential fan out there—former Florida coach and legend and current South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier.

“Charlie Strong has got their defense playing well,” Spurrier said before Florida dismantled the Gamecocks 56-6. “They’ve got athletes at all positions, and I think Charlie Strong has developed into one of the best coordinators in the country. I know they’re playing better defense this year than they were last year.”