Photo Credit: College Football News
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The South Florida Bulls football program underwent significant transformations between 2023 and 2025 under coach Alex Golesh. When Golesh arrived in 2023, the team owned the longest losing streak to FBS opponents. However, he quickly flipped the program around. He guided the team to consecutive 7-6 records and bowl wins in 2023 and 2024. Consequently, the Bulls reached nine victories in 2025. A November loss against Navy alone kept them from their first American Conference Championship appearance.
Nevertheless, Golesh departed for Auburn after the 2025 season. Star quarterback Byrum Brown and multiple players followed him to the Tigers. Therefore, USF hired Brian Hartline as the new head coach to sustain this success. Hartline served as an assistant coach at Ohio State from 2017 through 2025. He developed multiple first-round draft picks there and won a national championship in 2024. Now, he faces massive roster turnover during his first head coaching opportunity.
Coaching Staff Changes
Hartline quickly assembled a brand-new coaching staff in Tampa. First, he hired Tim Beck as the offensive coordinator. Beck previously served as the head coach for Coastal Carolina from 2023 through 2025. Next, Hartline selected Josh Aldridge from East Carolina as the defensive coordinator. Aldridge led the top scoring defense in the American Conference during the 2025 season. Meanwhile, USF retained special teams coordinator Chad Creamer and cornerbacks coach James Rowe. Furthermore, Mike Hartline joined his brother as the new quarterbacks coach. The staff also added running backs coach Elijah Brooks and wide receivers coach Myles White. Former Ohio State assistants Sean Binckes and Mike Sollenne joined the offense as well. Finally, Keith Jones Jr. takes over the defensive line, while Danny Verpaele guides the safeties. Antwaine Richardson joins the staff too after working as an Auburn defensive analyst.
Retooling the Offense
The 2025 USF offense scored 40.5 points per game, which ranked fifth nationally. However, the team lost quarterback Byrum Brown to the transfer portal. Brown threw for over 3,000 yards twice and rushed for 1,000 yards last season. To replace him, USF added transfer quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. Van Buren started games for Mississippi State in 2024 and LSU in 2025. He notably led LSU to a victory in the Texas Bowl last season. Additionally, former Florida State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek joined the roster. The new quarterback will throw to UTEP transfer Kenny Odom. Odom caught 14 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Ohio State transfer Bryson Rodgers also joins the wide receiver rotation. Furthermore, running back Alvon Isaac returns after rushing for 350 yards. Transfers D.J. Crowther and Jason Collins Jr. will bolster the ground game too. Guard Thomas Shrader anchors the line as the lone returning starter.
Defensive Rebuild
The 2025 defense excelled by forcing 25 turnovers and making crucial red-zone stops. Unfortunately, free safety Tavin Ward is the only returning defensive starter for 2026. Ward finished third on the team with 60 tackles in 2025. Linebacker Zavier Hamilton and defensive end Michael Williams II also return to support the unit. Regardless of these returners, Hartline relied heavily on the transfer portal to fill defensive gaps. For example, former five-star prospect C.J. Hicks transferred from Ohio State. Hicks recorded 22 tackles during the 2024 championship season. Florida transfer Grayson Howard will also step in to lead the linebackers. Moreover, safety Ayden Jackson transferred from Georgia Southern after intercepting three passes. Cornerbacks Amarion Fortenberry and Za’Quan Bryan bring starting experience from their previous schools. Defensive tackles Terry Simmons Jr. and Asani Redwood add depth upfront.
Special Teams and 2026 Outlook
Kicker Nico Gramatica returns after earning all-conference honors in 2025. Gramatica famously made a walk-off field goal to beat Florida on Sept. 6, 2025. He converted 18 of 24 field goals last season. His freshman brother, Gaston Gramatica, also joined the team. Meanwhile, Australian punter Luke Goater takes over the full-time punting duties. Alvon Isaac and JeyQuan Smith will continue to handle kickoff and punt returns.
2026 Schedule
1vs. FIU Sat, Sept. 5
2@ Army Sat, Sept. 12
3vs. Delaware State Sat, Sept. 19
4@ Bowling Green Sat, Sept. 26
5vs. Temple Sat, Oct. 3
6@ UTSA Thu, Oct. 8
7vs. Kent State Sat, Oct. 17
9vs. UABSat, Oct. 31
10@ East Carolina Fri, Nov. 6
11vs. Memphis Thu, Nov. 12
12@ Florida Atlantic Sat, Nov. 21
13vs. Tulane Fri, Nov. 27
The 2026 season marks the final year USF plays at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls will host Tulane on Friday, Nov. 27, 2025, for their final regular-season home game there. Then, the program moves into a new on-campus stadium for the 2027 season. Ultimately, Hartline secured the top transfer class in the conference. The Bulls expect to challenge for their first American Championship appearance this December
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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