Oct 26, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals mascot, Louie the Cardinal Bird, against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With Charlie Strong leaving the Louisville Cardinals to take the head coaching job with the Texas Longhorns, the Cardinals have begun their coaching search and it started with two of Strong’s top assistants.

Louisville AD Tom Jurich spoke with DC Vance Bedford and OC Shawn Watson about the Cards’ head job today. — Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) January 6, 2014

Charlie Strong’s DC Vance Bedford interviewed for Louisville HC job this morning. Jurich to interview 5 more, pick coach by weekend. — kbohls (@kbohls) January 6, 2014

Bedford followed Strong from Florida in 2010 where he was the defensive backs coach while Strong was the defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer. Bedford has previous coaching stints with the Michigan Wolverines and Oklahoma State Cowboys in college and with the Chicago Bears when he was the defensive backs coach from 1999-2004.

Watson has s the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Louisville since 2011. He previously served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and has been coaching in college since 1982 when he served as a graduate assistant for Southern Illinois after his playing career ended.

Other rumored candidates include Michigan State Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator Chad Morris and Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason.