The team goes into the spring season with a hopeful outlook, alongside new coach Alex Golesh.
Courtesy of Vanessa Wenzl
By Brandi Bottger
A new energy comes to the University of South Florida football team as the players prepare for their upcoming spring game. This time, with a new head coach.
Practices began on March 6 for players and the new head coach, Alex Golesh.
Back in December of 2022, Alex Golesh became the new head coach of the USF football team. Prior to joining USF, Golesh was the Offensive Coordinator for the University of Tennessee.
With it being only week two of practices, Golesh is already making a statement at USF, with players speaking highly of him.
“Coach Golesh, he’s a straight-to-the-point man. He’ll tell you straight up what’s wrong and back to the standards, he holds up to a high standard, so pretty much that’s it,” said Matthew Hill, who plays safety on the team.
In a press conference held on March 21, Golesh spoke about the goals and the intent he has for the team in the upcoming season.
“We are doing what we are meant to do, which is teach, and hold guys accountable. Everything we do within the walls of our program, there’s a standard,” said Golesh.
“There is an energy within our walls and on the football field,” he said. “For them to be able to go and execute in football, in life, academically, socially, spiritually, all of it. That’s the part you’re continuing to plug on.”
Players are also already impressed with the new Defensive Coordinator coach, Todd Orlando, who held the same position while coaching at Florida Atlantic University last season.
“[Orlando] is the type of leader that everyone grabs too, and grabs too when everyone wants to work,” said Jayden Curry, who also is a safety on the team.
Last season, the Bulls only achieved one win, losing 11 out of the 12 games played, and losing all eight games within the AAC Conference. Their one win was against Howard University, with the final score being 42-20.
This year’s spring football game will take place at 7 p.m., Friday April 14 at Corbett Stadium in Tampa. Prior to the game, there will be a fan fest beginning at 5 p.m., featuring meet and greets with Rocky the Bull and the USF Sun Dolls and cheerleaders, cornhole, a kid’s zone, photo ops and more.
Students and fans can register for a free game ticket prior to the event by visiting this link. This game will also be streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard on 102.5-HD2 and Bulls Unlimited.
