The Rise of the Bulls: A History of USF Football
From startup program to national relevance, the University of South Florida Bulls have carved a unique path through the college football landscape.
🐂 Founding a Program (1997–2000)
The University of South Florida (USF), located in Tampa, launched its football program in 1997, decades after the school itself was founded. Under head coach Jim Leavitt, USF began competing as an NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) independent. In their inaugural game on September 6, 1997, the Bulls defeated Kentucky Wesleyan, 80–3 — a sign of the explosive potential to come.
By 2000, the Bulls had transitioned to Division I-A (now FBS), making USF one of the fastest programs to move up to the top tier of college football.
🚀 Climbing the Ranks: The Big East Era (2003–2012)
USF joined Conference USA in 2003 but quickly upgraded to the Big East Conference in 2005 — giving the young program access to BCS-level competition. The Bulls quickly made headlines with upset wins and high-profile matchups.
- In 2007, USF achieved its most iconic moment: after upsetting Auburn and West Virginia, the Bulls climbed as high as No. 2 in the AP Poll, the fastest rise in poll history at that time.
- Led by dual-threat QB Matt Grothe and a tenacious defense, USF became a household name.
Though they didn’t sustain that Top 5 ranking, USF earned bowl berths consistently and solidified itself as a legitimate program on the rise.
🧱 Transitions & Turbulence (2010s)
After Leavitt’s firing in 2010, USF experienced a period of instability:
- Skip Holtz (2010–2012) and later Willie Taggart (2013–2016) took over during a rebuilding phase.
- Under Taggart, the Bulls returned to form. The 2016 season (11–2) marked a program-best record, powered by star QB Quinton Flowers and RB Marlon Mack.
USF moved into the newly formed American Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2013, where the Bulls remained competitive but struggled to regain national prominence after Taggart’s departure.
🔄 Recent Years & Rebuild (2018–Present)
After a promising start under Charlie Strong, including a 10–2 season in 2017, the program declined rapidly.
- By 2019, USF had lost momentum and went through another coaching change, hiring Jeff Scott, who struggled to produce wins and was dismissed in 2022.
- In 2023, USF hired Alex Golesh, former Tennessee OC, to revitalize the team with a high-powered offense and modern energy.
🏟️ Facilities & Future
USF has long played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, plans are underway to build an on-campus stadium, targeted for completion in the mid-2020s — a move that could dramatically enhance the program's identity and recruiting.
📈 Legacy & Outlook
Despite being one of the youngest FBS programs in the country, USF has already:
- Reached 10 bowl games
- Produced NFL talent like Jason Pierre-Paul, Marlon Mack, Quinton Flowers, and Mike Jenkins
- Reached the AP Top 25 multiple times
The Bulls continue to represent the vibrant, growing city of Tampa and are looking to reclaim their spot among college football’s most dynamic Group of Five programs.
🟢 From zero to No. 2, USF Football’s journey has been anything but ordinary—and the best may still be ahead.
#USFBulls #USFFootball #GoBulls 🐂