Alex Golesh's unnecessary slight about USF football leaves fans infuriated

USF gave Alex Golesh his first college head football coaching job. He was hired to rebuild a program that had disintegrated under Charlie Strong and Jeff Scott. When Golesh arrived, the Bulls had won just four games in three years.

While here, Golesh frequently said that he had every resource needed to compete on a national level. And then, just hours after concluding his 2025 season, Golesh accepted the head coaching job at Auburn. The only reason he got that job was because of the way he had elevated USF in just a short time.

I didn't -- and don't -- blame him for taking the Auburn job. It is chance to coach a storied program and test himself against the SEC. But couldn't he just leave it at that?

I guess not.

In an interview with USA Today, Golesh said, “I felt like you could win a national title here (Auburn), where, at South Florida, I think you and everybody else know you never were going to get there.”

Oh, Alex. Why?

That's not just me talking, by the way. Bulls Nation responded with righteous fury -- most of which is not printable.

Ironically, Golesh might have had a chance to prove himself wrong by winning the American Conference title last year, which would have gotten USF into the playoffs. But when it mattered most, the Bulls folded at Memphis (where they blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter) and Navy.

Would the Bulls have won a natty last year if they had made the playoffs?

Of course not.

But it would have been another step up the ladder toward that goal and, listen carefully Alex, you -- of all people -- should understand what's happening at the place that put your ambitions and skill on a national stage.

Former VP of Athletics Michael Kelly said it best. The next time the power conferences consider expansion, they should look at where USF is going to be and not just write it off as another Group of Whatever program.

Rob Higgins, USF's CEO of Athletics, had a thinly veiled response to Golesh's take about national aspirations when he posted this on Twitter.

You see, Alex, the people who have rebuilt USF's entire athletic program have set the same standards that you will be expected to meet at Auburn. They are pouring vast amounts of resources into the entire athletic program -- football included.

Men's basketball has won two of the last three American Conference regular-season titles, and they went toe-to-toe with Louisville in this year's NCAA tournament.

New head football coach Brian Hartline took this job because he bought into the vision of Higgins and trustee chair Will Weatherford -- All Gas. No Brakes.

Will that mean a national championship for football this season?

No.

But is it an impossible dream?

Absolutely not. I firmly believe USF will be in a power conference within a few years, and the Bulls will hold their own.

You see, Alex, it is -- to use your favorite word -- a process.

That process is ongoing.

It's working.

As Higgins said, you've gotta believe.

But, I guess you didn't.

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