Team Information
Ground | Raymond James Stadium |
City | Tampa, Florida |
Conference | American Athletic Conference, |
Nickname | Bulls |
About USF Bulls Football
The 2024 South Florida Bulls football team is set to take on the American Athletic Conference under the guidance of head coach Alex Golesh. They'll hit the field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, ready to tackle their opponents. Watch for the Bulls as they strive for victory in the upcoming NCAA Division I FBS football season!
Name of Team | South Florida Bulls football team |
First season | 1997 |
Athletic director | Michael Kelly |
Head coach | Alex Golesh1st season, 7–6 (.538) |
Stadium | Raymond James Stadium(capacity: 65,890) |
Location | Tampa, FL |
Conference | The American |
Division | I-AA Independent |
Field surface | Grass, Tifway Bermuda 419 |
Conference titles | 0 |
Division titles | 1 (2016) |
Fight song | Golden Brahman March |
Mascot | Rocky D. Bull |
Rivals | UCF Knights (rivalry) |
Consensus All-Americans | 2 |
South Florida Bulls Football Team Introduction
Welcome to the electrifying world of South Florida Bulls football! Since their kickoff in 1997, these gridiron warriors, representing the University of South Florida, have been capturing hearts and making waves in the American Athletic Conference (The American) of the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). With Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, as their battleground, they've been delivering spine-tingling games year after year. Born from a student-driven initiative, the Bulls soared from Division I-AA to Division I-A, marking their journey with a stunning debut victory over Kentucky Wesleyan. Their rise to the prestigious Big East Conference in 2005 solidified their status as gridiron giants, supported by a loyal fanbase and a legacy of remarkable triumphs.
South Florida Bulls Football Team History
The South Florida Bulls football team burst onto the scene in 1997, embodying the University of South Florida's ambitions with a fresh start. Led by head coach Jim Leavitt, they began in Division I-AA, quickly gaining attention with wins against ranked opponents. Transitioning to Division I-A in 2001, they joined Conference USA before settling in the Big East Conference (now AAC) in 2005. Under Leavitt, they enjoyed bowl victories and upset wins over top-ranked teams. However, Leavitt's tenure ended in controversy in 2010. Despite setbacks, the Bulls continued their pursuit of excellence, leaving an indelible mark on college football with their spirit, determination, and memorable victories.
South Florida Bulls Football Team Coaches
Head Coach Profile
Alex Golesh, born June 24, 1984, is an American football coach leading the University of South Florida's football team. Originally from Moscow, he moved to the U.S. as a child, growing up in Brooklyn, New York, and Dublin, Ohio. He played football at Dublin Scioto High School before delving into coaching. Golesh started his coaching journey as an assistant at Westerville Central High School in Ohio and later became a student assistant at Ohio State. He's also coached at Northern Illinois and Oklahoma State.
There have been seven head coaches in program history. The following table represents the head coaches from the start till today
Coach | Tenure | Seasons | Games | Record | Win percentage | Bowl record |
Jim Leavitt | 1997–2009 | 13 | 152 | 95–57 | .625 | 3–2 |
Skip Holtz | 2010–2012 | 3 | 37 | 16–21 | .432 | 1–0 |
Willie Taggart | 2013–2016 | 4 | 49 | 24–25 | .490 | 0–1 |
T. J. Weist | 2016 | 1 | 1 | 1–0 | 1.000 | 1–0 |
Charlie Strong | 2017–2019 | 3 | 37 | 21–16 | .568 | 1–1 |
Jeff Scott | 2020–2022 | 3 | 30 | 4–26 | .133 | 0–0 |
Daniel Da Prato | 2022 | 1 | 3 | 0–3 | .000 | 0–0 |
Alex Golesh | 2023–Present | 1 | 13 | 7–6 | .538 | 1–0 |
South Florida Bulls Football Team Stadium
Raymond James Stadium is the dynamic home for the South Florida Bulls football team. Located in Tampa, Florida, this iconic venue boasts a vibrant atmosphere that electrifies fans during every game. With a seating capacity of over 65,000, the stadium provides ample space for supporters to rally behind their team. Its modern amenities and state-of-the-art facilities offer a top-notch experience for both players and spectators alike. As the Bulls charge onto the field, Raymond James Stadium stands as a symbol of unity and excitement, making it the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments in college football.
South Florida Bulls Football Team Rivals
UCF Rivalry
The South Florida Bulls football team fiercely rivaled the UCF Knights. Known as the War on I–4, this rivalry began in 2005 and intensified when both teams joined the American Athletic Conference. USF initially dominated the series, but UCF gained momentum over the years. The annual clash drew significant attention and fan enthusiasm until UCF's departure to the Big 12 in 2023. Through the 2022 season, UCF led the series 8–6, marking a memorable chapter in Bulls football history.
South Florida Bulls Football Team Record and Stats
The South Florida Bulls football team has had a notable history in terms of conference affiliations and championships. Here's a breakdown:
Conference Affiliations:
Independent (1997–2002): The Bulls began their football journey as an independent program, competing without conference affiliation.
Conference USA (2003–2004): South Florida joined Conference USA for the 2003 and 2004 seasons and competed against other teams.
Big East Conference (2005–2012): From 2005 to 2012, the Bulls were members of the Big East Conference, where they faced stiff competition from other schools.
American Athletic Conference (2013–present): The Bulls have been members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) since 2013 and continue to compete at a high level against other AAC teams.
Division championships
Year | Division | Coach | Opponent | CG result |
2016 | The American – East | Willie Taggart | N/A lost tiebreaker to Temple |
Bowl Victories
South Florida has participated in eleven bowl games, with the Bulls garnering a record of 7–4.
Season | Head coach | Bowl | Opponent | Result |
2005 | Jim Leavitt | Meineke Car Care Bowl | NC State | L 0–14 |
2006 | PapaJohns.com Bowl | East Carolina | W 24–7 | |
2007 | Brut Sun Bowl | Oregon | L 21–56 | |
2008 | magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl | Memphis | W 41–14 | |
2009 | International Bowl | Northern Illinois | W 27–3 | |
2010 | Skip Holtz | Meineke Car Care Bowl | Clemson | W 31–26 |
2015 | Willie Taggart | Miami Beach Bowl | Western Kentucky | L 35–45 |
2016 | T. J. Weist | Birmingham Bowl | South Carolina | W 46–39 |
2017 | Charlie Strong | Birmingham Bowl | Texas Tech | W 38–34 |
2018 | Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl | Marshall | L 20–38 | |
2023 | Alex Golesh | Boca Raton Bowl | Syracuse | W 45–0 |
South Florida Bulls Football Team Roster
Quarterbacks:
Bryce Archie
Gerry Bohanon
Ryan Bolduc
Byrum Brown
Israel Carter
Running Backs:
Jaylen Johnson
Kelley Joiner
K'wan Powell
Kenny Walker
Nay'Quan Wright
Yasias Young
Wide Receivers:
Jaden Alexis
Sean Atkins
Michael Brown-Stephens
Brock Burnette
Jayden Davis
Christian Helms
Seth Jones
Tyree Kelly
Cade Roberts
Naiem Simmons
Keshaun Singleton
JeyQuan Smith
Ranod Smith
Yusuf Terry
Tight Ends:
Colin Affleck
Gerard Edimo
Gunnar Greenwald
Jayson Littlejohn
Teigan Martin
Weston Wolff
Offensive Linemen:
Cole Best
Kody Black
Deonte Bowie
Derek Bowman
Drew Cornelius
Gabriel Hahn
Zane Herring
James Jenkins
Caysun Kinghorn
Gannon Lanning
Mike Lofton
Nikola Milovac
Drew Perez
RJ Perry
Cole Skinner
Ryan Warren
Defensive Ends:
Chad Elder
D.J. Harris
Tramel Logan
Jonathan Ross
Keeon Terrell
Jason Vaughn
Michael Williams II
Defensive Tackles:
De'Juan Sease
Stantavious Smith
Doug Blue-Eli
Rashad Cheney
Bernard Gooden
Jacquez Williams
Linebackers:
Amer Amer
Evan Dangler
DJ Gordon IV
Mac Harris
Reggie Johnson II
Andrew Mata'afa
Brian Norris
Greg Otten
Jamie Pettway
Dylan Ridolph
Jhalyn Shuler
Cornerbacks:
Braxton Clark
Kendall Dennis
Ben Knox
Jarvis Lee
JaBari Roberson
Preston Shemansky
Safeties:
Aamaris Brown
Jayden Curry
Daquan Evans
Jaelen Stokes
Christopher Townsel
Tavin Ward
Logan Berryhill
Tawfiq Byard
Cole Dillon
Edmund Ghent
Matthew Hill
Lewai Mitchell
Timarcus Simpson
Chris Thomas
Special Teams:
John Cannon (K)
Brendan Farrell (K)
Ty Ippolito (K)
Pierse Stainton (P)
Andrew Stokes (P)
Bryce Bernard (LS)
Trey Dubuc (LS)
Please note that some players may play multiple positions or may have been categorized based on their primary position.
South Florida Bulls Football Team Schedule
Here are the details for the South Florida Bulls Football Team's current season schedule:
Aug 31, 2024:
Opponent: Bethune-Cookman
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $14.30
Sep 7, 2024:
Opponent: Alabama
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Tickets Starting at $25.49
Sep 14, 2024:
Opponent: Southern Miss
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium
Tickets Starting at $54.00
Sep 21, 2024:
Opponent: Miami (Florida)
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $75.00
Sep 28, 2024:
Opponent: Tulane
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Benson Field at Yulman Stadium
Tickets Starting at $14.99
Oct 11, 2024:
Opponent: Memphis
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $22.92
Oct 19, 2024:
Opponent: UAB
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $13.20
Nov 1, 2024:
Opponent: Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: FAU Stadium
Tickets Starting at $40.00
Nov 9, 2024:
Opponent: Navy
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $24.12
Nov 16, 2024:
Opponent: Charlotte
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Jerry Richardson Stadium
Tickets Starting at $41.00
Nov 23, 2024:
Opponent: Tulsa
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Tickets Starting at $13.20
Nov 30, 2024:
Opponent: Rice
Time: TBA
TV: Not available
Venue: Rice Stadium
Tickets Starting at $39.00
FAQ's On USF Bulls Football
A. The team kicked off in 1997.
A. They compete in the American Athletic Conference (The American) of the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
A. Their home games are played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
A. Jim Leavitt was the team's inaugural head coach.
A. In 2005, the Bulls joined the Big East Conference, now known as the American Athletic Conference (AAC).