Tampa judge has harsh words for South Florida football Coach Charlie Strong.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Tampa judge had some strong words for new South Florida Coach

Charlie Strong during a hearing Wednesday for LaDarrius Jackson, a defensive end on the team accused of sexual battery.

Jackson, 22, was arrested Monday and charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment of a woman who was reportedly an acquaintance. The junior from Alabama was making his first court appearance in the case.

Judge Margaret Taylor told Jackson she had never been ashamed to be an alumnus of USF until now. “Let’s just say that my USF diploma is not proudly hanging in my office right now,” she said.

Taylor then directed some pretty strong words to Strong (Batesville, University of Central Arkansas), who was hired by the school in December to replace

Willie Taggart.

“Coach Strong, if you are listening, in the last couple of months there have been two arrests of your players for very violent felonies,” Taylor said. “This court, and I’m sure I’m not alone, questions whether you have control over your players. It’s fairly clear you do not have control of them off the field, and I guess only time will tell whether you have control over them on the field.

“I would implore you to think long and hard about whether being head coach at USF is a good fit for you before any other members of this community have to suffer at the hands of one of your players.”

Jackson, who was recruited by the previous regime, is the second USF player to have a run-in with the law in recent months. Hassan Childs, a defensive back, was charged with aggravated assault and possession of marijuana back in March during a road rage incident. He was dismissed from the team.

Jackson has been removed from team activities, according to WTSP-TV.

Strong responded to the judge’s comments through a statement from the school:

“While I am shocked and saddened at the recent arrest of a member of our team, I am disappointed that the actions of two players over the last two months have harmed the reputation of our program, of our wonderful university and of my character. We have high expectations of our coaches, staff and student-athletes and we hold accountable those who act contrary to our values,” Strong said.