Photo Courtesy of USF Athletics
By Isabella Perez
With the kick-off of the college football season this week, the South Florida Bulls are set to return to the field on Saturday. This season, the new staff is set to build on last year’s success following the whirlwind of their offseason.
When the University of South Florida Bulls entered the field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Aug. 28, 2025, they faced the challenge of being the only non-Power Four school to play three AP Top 25 teams. Nonetheless, USF, led by then-head coach Alex Golesh, beat No. 25 Boise State 34-7.
Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
If the win over Boise State was not enough, South Florida fans were surprised a week later on Sept. 6, when the Bulls beat No. 13 Florida 18-16 in the Swamp. Although they went on to lose 49-12 to No. 5 Miami the following week, the two upsets set the precedent for one of USF’s most successful football seasons in recent years.
By the time they lost 34-31 to Memphis on Oct. 25, USF was ranked No. 18 in the AP poll (its first time being ranked since the 2018 season) and held a 6-1 overall record (with a 3-0 record in the American Athletic Conference). USF had strong College Football Playoff aspirations but fell short following a 41-38 loss to Navy on Nov. 15.
USF ended the season with a 9-4 overall record (with a 6-2 record in the AAC), ending its two-year bowl game win streak with a 24-10 loss to Old Dominion.
Nonetheless, USF’s success, even if short-lived, brought about a wave of change. After three years with the Bulls, Golesh left USF to become Auburn’s head coach. The Bulls also saw the departure of starting quarterback Byrum Brown and 12 additional players, who followed Golesh to Auburn.
USF entered 2026 with one of its greatest challenges yet, as the highlights from 2025 brought the team renewed national attention. Facing the season without a head coach, a starting quarterback and key roster pieces, the pressure was high for Vice President of Athletics Robert Higgins to continue the momentum.
“Bulls Nation, we can compete for and win national championships here! It all starts with believing it’s possible and having the right coaches, focus, vision and culture!” Higgins posted on X on April 26, 2026, following comments made by Golesh following his departure to Auburn expressing that South Florida would never achieve national title success.
On Dec. 3, 2025, USF announced that Brian Hartline would become the program’s next head coach.
Hartline, a former Ohio State receiver who spent seven seasons in the NFL (six of which were with the Miami Dolphins), worked for nine years coaching at Ohio State. Notable for his efforts as offensive coordinator and wide receiver recruitment, Hartline has sent six wide receivers to the NFL as first-round picks since 2022.
“I’m honored and excited to join the University of South Florida as its new head football coach,” Hartline told USF Athletics. “Becoming a first-time head coach at a place like USF is a dream come true for me and my family. I look forward to leading the team to new heights, both on and off the field.”
The hiring of Hartline was just the beginning. The Bulls quickly shifted focus to replacing the departed talent.
On Jan. 28, 2026, the Bulls welcomed 41 new players from the transfer portal, ranking as the No. 1 portal class in the AAC. The incoming class features former Ohio State defensive end C.J. Hicks (who played under Hartline at Ohio State), along with four-star recruits Luke Kromenhoek (Mississippi State), Jayden Bradford (Liberty), and KJ Cooper (Texas Southern).
On April 25, 2026, the Bulls named Michael Van Buren, a four-star recruit and former Mississippi State and LSU player, as their new starting quarterback.
Additionally, construction continues on USF’s first on-campus football stadium, set to open ahead of the 2027 season, ending a 29-year tenancy at Raymond James Stadium.
USF opens its season today against FIU. Although its nonconference schedule is significantly weaker than last season’s (featuring no Power Four opponents), the lighter path should ease the transition under Hartline before the conference games begin.
