Years 2…3….4… let’s hope

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ESPN’s Bill Connelly compiled the list of 30 college football coaches



TAMPA, April 12, 2024 – Coming off the greatest one-year improvement in program history and a decisive 45-0 rout of Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl, USF Football Head Coach Alex Golesh has been named to an ESPN list of “30 coaches who will define the next decade of college football.”



The list, compiled by ESPN writer Bill Connelly, names coaches across six categories that will shape the college game. Golesh was named among the “most exciting younger head coaches,” of which three came from the American Athletic Conference.



Connelly wrote “after coaching for the diverse duo of Matt Campbell and Josh Heupel, he landed his first head-coaching job last year at age 38 and immediately crushed it” adding “after going a combined 4-29 from 2020 to 2022, USF leaped to 7-6 last season...crushing Syracuse 45-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl. His track record isn't extensive, so putting him here is a risk, but what a first impression he made.”



In his first season leading the Bulls, Golesh produced a six-win improvement, the best in program history and second only to Northwestern in the 2023 season. His offense led the nation with 82 plays per game and ranked No. 17 in total offense (451.6 ypg) behind first-year starting quarterback Byrum Brown, who became the program’s first 3,000-yard passer. Brown and wide receiver Sean Atkins, who became the program’s first 1,000-yard receiver, were part of 16 individual records and 12 team marks set by the Bulls in 2023. USF played in its first bowl game since 2018 and won its first since 2017. Golesh capped off the season with Rivals’ No. 48-ranked recruiting class, the highest outside of the autonomy conferences and the program’s best in a decade.



Golesh and the Bulls will take the field Saturday for the USF Spring Game presented by USF Health, which returns to Corbett Stadium on campus for a 2 p.m. kickoff. A capacity crowd is expected at the USF soccer teams’ competition venue as publicly available tickets were sold out early in the week. Fans must have reserved their general admission ticket for entrance in advance. The game will be broadcast live on 102.5 FM The Bone and the Bulls Unlimited digital radio channel (USF Bulls App or TuneIn Radio).



Golesh’s second USF team returns 20 starters – 9 on offense, 9 on defense and two specialists – including record-setting quarterback Byrum Brown (Raleigh, N.C.) and wide receiver Sean Atkins (Viera), coming off the program’s first 3,000-yard passing and 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The 2023 Bulls set 12 team and 16 individual records and capped the biggest turnaround in program history (going 7-6 after a 1-11 campaign in 2022) with a 45-0 rout of Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl. The USF offense ranked No. 17 nationally producing 451.6 ypg and led the nation running 82.1 plays per game. The Bulls’ 5,871 offensive yards on the year ranked as the third-best total in program history.

I shouldn't be allowed near a computer when I am bored waiting for tomorrow's spring game, but.... I noticed new Juco DE Jaylen Pettus attended Dowling Catholic HS in Iowa. Wonder if he is pals with hoops superstar Caitlin Clark who also attended Dowling Catholic. Way back in the olden days in 1996 the year before USF's first football season a young graduate assistant came to Tampa to help out new HC Jim Leavitt. He was a student assistant at Kansas State. He left the original football staff before the first game in 1997 so most don't know about him. He later became the AD here in Normal at Illinois State. He did such a great job at ISU, he was hired to be the AD at Kansas. Unfortunately, he hired Charlie Weis to be the head coach in football at KU and ended up getting canned along with Weis at KU. He was hired as AD at the University of New Haven and then was appointed interim President. He just agreed to become the 21st President at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. Thus returning to the Blo-No area. Congratulations Dr. Sheahon Zenger, former USF football coach (circa Trailer days). Okay, I'm done. Hurry up Saturday 1 pm Central Time.

Normal

Hoops has been consuming most of our attention, deservedly so, however Spring Practice is getting into full swing and I am
just dying for Intel as we gear up for what could likely be our most important football season ever.

What are the key questions, objectives, position battles this Spring?

Who is looking good or getting a lot of reps? Early enrollees updates? Injuries...who is not training? Visiting recruits?

KQ - no luck with a student intern, or any exclusive coverage?

I usually don’t think it’s justified after one year, but I think we need to be ready for an extension or a rework of the contract.

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Just like Miguel

USF Football Announces Addition of Micah James As Running Backs Coach​

February 13, 2024

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Former All-Sun Belt linemen comes to USF after helping guide SEC's top rushing offense at Tennessee

TAMPA, FEB. 13, 2024 – Head Coach Alex Goleshhas announced the addition of Micah James as running backs coach on his second USF staff as the Bulls continue with offseason conditioning ahead of the March 5 beginning of spring practices.

An All-Sun Belt Conference center at Middle Tennessee, James comes to USF after two seasons as an offensive line coach at Utah State and last season working as an offensive analyst at Tennessee. In his 10 seasons as a collegiate coach, James has been a part of three conference championship teams and six bowl games.

"Coming from Tennessee and working closely with the SEC's top rushing offense last season, Micah joins our staff with a strong understanding of our offense and the importance of the run game in it," Golesh said. "A standout center as a player, he is a coach with 10 years of experience and great football intelligence, and he will connect very well with our players and staff. We are very excited to welcome Micah to our Bulls family."

James has also served in stints at UMass (2019-20), UCF (2018), Maryland (2017), Faulkner University (2016) and Arkansas State (2014-15).

Banks was part of head coach Josh Heupel's staff at Tennessee (2023) that helped orchestrate the SEC-leading and No. 9-ranked rushing offense (204.8 ypg) in the nation in 2023 led by Jaylen Wright who ran for 1,013 yards. The Vols ran for 2,878 yards (5.4 ypc) on the year, part of 5,825 total yards (No. 19 nationally) on the season.

At Utah State (2021-22), James helped the Aggies to their best season in school history in 2021 as they tied the school record with 11 wins (11-3), won their first-ever Mountain West Championship with a 46-13 road win at No. 19 San Diego State, posted a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl to finish the season ranked 24th in the nation in both polls.

Behind James offensive line, Utah State's offense set six school records during the 2021 campaign, including 41 touchdown passes, 4,248 passing yards and three receivers with 10-plus touchdown receptions. USU's offense also tied a pair of school records with 13 100-yard receiving games and five passing touchdowns in a single game.

The Aggies produced over 600 yards of total offense twice, and over 400 passing yards three times on the year, all of which ranked among the top-16 performances in school history.
Utah State finished the 2021 season ranked 15th in the nation in passing offense (303.4 ypg), 23rd in total offense (445.6 ypg), and 33rd in scoring offense (32.6 ppg). USU was also the only team in the nation with at least 10 touchdown receptions by three players.

Under James two offensive linemen earned honorable mention all-MW honors as senior Alfred Edwards and junior Quazzel White were recognized.

James came to Utah State after spending two years as the co-offensive line coach at Massachusetts (2019-20). In 2020, UMass had two offensive linemen garner accolades in Larnel Colemen and Dalton Tomlison. Coleman earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Watch List, given annually to the top interior lineman in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), and garnered Phil Steele Magazine All-Independent honors, while Tomlison was selected to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, which annually honors the top center in FBS. Furthermore, Coleman was invited to participate in the 2021 College Gridiron Showcase.

During James' first season at UMass, the offensive line unit cut down on their sacks allowed by 69.2 percent, despite replacing four starters from the year prior and suffering numerous injuries that led to nine different players starting.

James served as an offensive graduate assistant at UCF (2018) and Maryland (2017).

At UCF, James helped the Knights to a No. 11 national ranking and a 12-1 record as they swept their eight-game American Athletic Conference schedule, won the AAC Championship game and earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. At season's end, four Knight's offensive linemen earned all-AAC honors, including three landing on the first team.

During his one season with the Terrapins, James worked on the offensive side of the ball and assisted in the development of receiver D.J. Moore. With James' help, Moore earned first-team all-Big Ten honors and ranked ninth in the country in receptions per game (6.7).

As the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Faulkner University (2016), James helped the Eagles to a 6-4 record and coached B.J. Turner to all-Mid-South Conference West Division second-team honors.
James began his coaching career at Arkansas State (2014-15), spending two seasons under Blake Anderson and helping the Red Wolves to a 16-10 record during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, including a 13-3 conference mark, back-to-back bowl games and a 2015 Sun Belt Conference Championship.

James arrived at A-State after completing an all-Sun Belt Conference playing career at Middle Tennessee in 2012, which was followed by an invitation to participate in the Atlanta Falcons' and Dallas Cowboys' NFL rookie mini-camps in 2013.

During his senior season at Middle Tennessee, James was voted one of five permanent team captains and selected first-team all-Sun Belt after helping the Blue Raiders to an 8-4 regular season record.
The 2012 campaign saw James start all 12 games at center, and he was third among linemen with 844 total snaps. He was part of a line that ranked second nationally in fewest sacks allowed and paved the way for three different 100-yard rushers. He collected 78 knockdowns, including a season-high 10 against both Memphis and Western Kentucky.

James earned his bachelor's degree in general studies with an emphasis in criminal justice and coaching from Middle Tennessee in 2012. He achieved his associate's degree in 2010 from Georgia Military.
James transferred to Middle Tennessee in 2011 after playing at Georgia Military as a freshman and sophomore in 2009 and 2010. His sophomore season saw him start all nine games on a team that went 6-3.

A native of Hoschton, Georgia, James earned first-team all-region and all-county honors while playing at Mill Creek High School. He participated in the 2009 Gwinnett County All-Star Game and also lettered in track.

USF is coming off a resurgent season that saw the Bulls go 7-6, a program-best six-win improvement over 2022 and the second-best win improvement for any FBS program in 2023 behind Northwestern's seven-win improvement. The Bulls set 12 team records and 16 individual marks during the 2023 season and logged the program's highest-ranked recruiting class in a decade (No. 48 by Rivals) and highest ranked of any program outside the autonomous "power" conferences as the Bulls head full speed into 2024.

USF begins spring practice on March 5 and will practice 15 times including the annual USF Spring Game set for Sat., April 13 at 2 p.m. The 2024 season kicks off Aug. 31 when the Bulls face Bethune-Cookman at Raymond James Stadium. USF's non-conference schedule includes road trips to Alabama (Sept. 7) and Southern Mississippi (Sept. 14) and a home date with Miami (Fla.) (Sept. 21).

Season tickets • Single-game tickets • Group tickets (10+): call 1-800-GoBulls

TAMPA, Fla. (April 9, 2024) – As the University of South Florida football team prepares to host its spring game on Saturday afternoon at Corbett Stadium, the university today announced a significant development in the plans to build a new on-campus home for the Bulls.



Following a competitive bid process, USF has selected the highly experienced team of Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company and DuCon, LLC as the construction manager for the new stadium.



The selected team has worked extensively with college and professional stadiums throughout the country, numerous facilities in the Tampa Bay region and state of Florida and has previously partnered on more than $1.2 billion in projects with USF’s design team, Populous.



“Choosing a construction management team is big step forward in our process to deliver a world-class stadium that will transform the future of our university and the on-campus experience,” said USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly and USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman, the co-chairs of the stadium planning committee. “After conducting a thorough review of each proposal we received for the project, we’re excited to get started on our partnership with a team that brings a proven track record of success in Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company and DuCon, LLC.”



Projects the team has worked on include football stadiums for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and the ongoing renovations at Florida State University. Manhattan also provided construction management services for enhancements to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa in 2016.



USF’s on-campus stadium is scheduled to open in time for fall 2027. More information on the project is available here.

EDIT: Jenkins popped to USF, story below.

I expect good news for the Bulls but it’s not over for anyone until they announce and sign.

I don’t know the redshirt rules for hoops like I do for football. Does one of his years at Boise count as a RS year? He didn’t play in many games while there but did participate. I assume yes since he was listed as a jr this yr?

Was just curious if he has 1 season or 2 of eligibility? I’m sure he is getting interest elsewhere but with CY and Miguel departing and USF adding at least one 5 and Tobiloba playing more next yr could allow Pryor to really have more of the spotlight he had at times.

If he has two yrs left he could always leave for his last yr or turn pro either in Europe or maybe get a shot at the NBA depending on continued development. Just my random lunchtime thoughts…

Limited Number of Free Tickets To The USF Football Spring Game Will Be Available Starting April 8; Game Set For 2 p.m. Kickoff on April 13

Annual Spring Game returns to Corbett Stadium on the USF Campus;

In-stadium Fan Fest begins at 12 p.m.



TAMPA, April 2, 2024 – A limited number of free tickets to see the highly anticipated return of Bulls football at the annual USF Spring Game presented by USF Health will be available to be reserved by the general public through a digital link starting on Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m.



The Spring Game, which will return to Corbett Stadium on campus for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Sat., April 13, saw a capacity crowd fill the stands and grass berms around the USF soccer teams’ competition venue last year. Fans are encouraged to reserve their general admission entrance in advance (starting April 8) and will be limited to four tickets per request.



On April 8 at 10 a.m., a ticket link will be distributed on USF Athletics social channels (X & Facebook) and the USF Bulls App as well as be made available on GoUSFBulls.com to allow fans to reserve their free tickets (limit 4) to the game. Ticket requests will be acceptedthrough midnight on April 10 or until supplies last.



The game will be broadcast live on 102.5 FM The Bone and on the Bulls Unlimited digital radio channel (USF Bulls App or TuneIn Radio).



There will not be a live streamed video broadcast of this year’s game. USF football social channels (X, Facebook & Instagram) will provide some real time highlights of big plays throughout the game as well as a live stream of head coach Alex Golesh’s postgame press conference on X (@USFFootball).



Parking lots on Sycamore Drive/Lot 18 and in Yuengling Center Lots 6 and 22 will be free and open early Saturday morning. Fans are welcome to tailgate in those lots and are asked to only occupy one space per vehicle set-up and not to block traffic pathways.



Similar to last year, several fan activations, a Kidz Zone, food and beverage options, and a beer garden will be located in and around Corbett Stadium. The stadium gates will open at 12 p.m. with all general public seating in the stands and around the field berms on a first-come basis.Fans are encouraged to bring blankets and utilize seating areas on the grass berms surrounding the playing surface, and to get into the venue early to select their seating location in the general admission configuration.



Head Coach Alex Golesh’s second USF team returns 20 starters – 9 on offense, 9 on defense and two specialists – including record-setting quarterback Byrum Brown(Raleigh, N.C.) and wide receiver Sean Atkins (Viera),coming off the program’s first 3,000-yard passing and 1,000-yard receiving seasons. The 2023 Bulls set 12 team and 16 individual records and capped the biggest turnaround in program history (going 7-6 after a 1-11 campaign in 2022) with a 45-0 rout of Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl. The USF offense ranked No. 17 nationally producing 451.6 ypg and led the nation running 82.1 plays per game. The Bulls 5,871 offensive yards on the year ranked as the third-best total in program history.



The Bulls return 10 of their top 12 tacklers, four of their top five leaders in tackles for loss and their top four leaders in interceptions on defense, including leading tackler Jhalyn Shuler (Abbeville, S.C. – 97 tackles/8.5 TFL), interception leader Logan Berryhill (Kingsland Ga. – 3 interceptions) and defensive end Tramel Logan (Miami), who tied a USF record with three defensive touchdowns in 2023.



2024 USF SPRING GAME DETAILS

PARKING: Is FREE. Lots will be open at sunrise.

Fan parking is in Lot 18/Sycamore Drive and Yuengling Center Lots 6 and 22.

– Occupy one space per vehicle set-up and do not to block traffic pathways.

– Fans will be asked to clear the parking lots following the conclusion of the game as the Yuengling Center is hosting a concert that evening.



GATES & TICKETS: Stadium Gates will open at 12 p.m.

Entrance is by FREE mobile ticket

(please reserve starting on Monday, April 8 at 10 a.m.– link to be provided then on USF Athletics social channels (X & Facebook), the USF Bulls App and on GoUSFBulls.com)

Capacity and seating is limited, please reserve tickets for admittance in advance



FAN FEST: The Fan Fest inside the Corbett Stadium and will open at 12 p.m. and remain open throughout the game featuring:

• USF Sun Dolls, Cheerleaders & Rocky
• Photo Opportunities
• Four Food Trucks, Beverage Stations & a Beer Garden
• Kidz Zone
• Fan Activations & Merchandise Vendors
• More additions/details to come

KICKOFF: Set for 2 p.m.



LISTEN: The game can be heard on 102.5 The Bone and on Bulls Unlimited on the USF Bulls app or TuneIn Radio.



USF opens the 2024 season on Sat., Aug. 31 vs. Bethune Cookman in Raymond James Stadium before heading to Alabama (Sept. 7) and Southern Mississippi (Sept. 14) and returning the Ray Jay to close out the non-conference campaign with a clash with Miami on Sept. 21.

Well we as fans will continue to go back and forth about the what, why, and how. This is what fans do, however Coach Amir Abdur Rahim has MAJOR work to do, and he has no time to be on social media having a back and forth with a fan that is upset about players leaving. This is where a head coach needs to think about the bigger picture and not let his emotions take over regardless how he feels. These are grown men, not little kids and in the world of sports and social media, that 1 fan is nothing compared to thousands and thousands that dump on players in other markets daily. There are even national sports talk shows that make millions just by dumping on players. I don't like it but in this day and age it is best to rise above the negatively, because people are going to talk, many times in ignorance.

Now what Coach Amir Abdur Rahim has to do now is think like he did at Kennesaw State, because with the transfer portal and apparently limited NIL budget, he is basically back at a low major but being paid like he is at a true MM/HM. CAAR needs to get with his staff and bring their collective minds together and figure out a plan to replace what was once a huge strength of the team, that is now a huge weakness. They need guards and need them very badly. The portal is a lot harder to navigate this year as compared to last year. More so than ever, LM talent is skipping right on by MM levels and wanting to secure a spot at a HM. It's foolish because for the few that make the successful jump, the failure is 5x greater, which is why those guys flame out badly and then enter the transfer portal again the very next season. That doesn't help USF much this season if they are looking for the best guys to fill the void at shooting guard and their bench production. However, CAAR needs to start throwing his and USF name in as many hats as possible and see what will happen. They might also need to take some chances on guys that are talented, but had issues off the court in the past, and are looking to redeem themselves. No stone can be left unturned should be the motto.

Recruiting Needs:
2 - SG that can shoot, dribble, and score
1 - Big guard/SF that can score in all 3 levels
1 - starting caliber PF that can score, rebound, and defend