Chris Mack brings the juice as he is introduced as USF's new basketball coach

When the word got out that USF was searching for new men's basketball coach, Rob Higgins' phone started blowing up with people wanting this job.

"We had a pool of well over 50 candidates. The incoming interest that we received was mind blowing. It was impressive, and it was unprecedented. 
If you saw or heard a name out there, it's highly likely that we talked to them," the Bulls' CEO of Athletics said.

"With all that being said, one person's resume and approach stood out from all the rest, which meant we needed to go proactively get him. The more we talk to him, the more we understood, he was the perfectly leader for our next chapter."

That leader, Chris Mack, was formally introduced Tuesday morning as the Bulls' next head basketball coach.

"I'm damn excited to be the head coach here. University of South Florida. 
Unbelievably excited. Our teams are going to compete for championships each and every year. We're going to do it with great representatives of this university," Mack said.

Mack is a proven winner and, just as important, looks like a long-term hire for the Bulls. Mack becomes the fifth head coach in five seasons to lead the basketball team -- a circumstance triggered by the tragic death of Amir Abdur-Rahim in 2024 shortly before the season opened.

In 15 years as a head coach, Mack's teams won at least 20 games 12 times. He has nine NCAA tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight appearance. at Xavier in 2017. While at the College of Charleston the last two years, Mack's team 45 games.

"Chris Mack has not only been where we are going, he's also won where we're going, and he's ready to lead our goals there" Higgins said.

"Yes, Coach Mack has an incredible resume, but you can't teach his relationships, his resilience, his desire, his work ethic, and his collaborative spirit. 
His preparation, reliance, and execution around the transfer portal stands out. His deep relationships with his players stands out. His ability to bring an elite staff and build a roster really quickly stands out."

Mack described his ideal player.

"I thrive with everyday guys. That means they bring the same effort, the same attitude, the same energy, every single day. 
They may not bring the same result every day, but they're gonna bring the same effort, the same attitude, and the same energy. You win with those type of guys. All day, every day," he said.

"We're going to teach our players how to be four things. We're gonna teach them how to be tough physically and mentally. 
We will teach him how to be resilient and the ability to bounce back when it doesn't go your way. And, Lord knows, we all know it doesn't always go our way. 
And there's a mentality that's rampant through college basketball, and college football, and college athletics, where when it doesn't go your way, you pick up and you move somewhere else. We won't be immune to that. But I can tell you that our team, when something happens poorly in a practice, in a game, they're going to dust themselves off, they're going to get back up, and they're going to compete. 
They're going to be unified. Basketball is a team game. You want an individual sport, be a swimmer.."

Mack also gave glimpse of his approach to the job in a phone call he received from USF Trustee Board Chairman Will Weatherford on Tuesday morning.

"I appreciate your call," he said. "I didn't answer it, but I appreciate it. We were watching film of transfers -- a little more important."