USF football fans got used to the go-go offense favored by Alex Golesh for the last three years, and it was effective. The Bulls had one of the best offenses in the country last season and Byrum Brown established himself as one of the most electric dual-threat quarerbacks in college football.
Going forward, it sounds like the attack new coach Brian Hartline will be a little more measured.
"We want to play complimentary football, so we will use tempo as an asset for us, but we want to make sure we're not putting our defense in harm's way, frankly. Frankly, it's a pro style mentality with some spreading."
One of Golesh's pet peeves was being questioned about USF's time of possession. The Bulls trailed in that category in nearly every game. Golesh preferred to concentrate on points per possession. Since they averaged 40.5 points per game, he had a pretty good argument.
USF had the No. 3-ranked offense in the country
But critics pointed out that were times when it might have been better to pump the brakes a bit. One game that jumps out is was the game at Memphis, when a 14-point USF lead entering the fourth quarter turned into a three-point loss.
USF had three possessions in that final quarter that totaled 5:25 and scored no points.
Hartline, of course, was the offensive coordinator at Ohio State last season, and the Buckeyes put up points, too. They averaged 33.4 points per game, and if the Transfer Portal class he has assembled at USF is as good as the hype -- the Bulls had the top-ranked portal class in the Group of 5 according to 247Sports -- they should make the scoreboard sizzle again in 2026.
But what about the other side of trhe ball?
Hartline's first hire after taking the USF job was defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, who, in one season at East Carolina, transformed the Pirates into the American Conference's top-ranked defense.
The Pirates led the conference in seven defensive categories in 2025. Aldridge's 2022 Liberty defense ranked first nationally in tackles for loss, third in sacks, and in the top 15 in turnovers forced and passes intercepted.
"I think Josh Aldridge is one of the best coordinators in the country, in my mind," Hartline said. "He was definitely the top coordinator last year in our conference.
" I think his expertise and exposure to great players really got to me, how he commanded the room, and his expectations of his staff, stood out to me."
It's not all new.
James Rowe was retained from Golesh's staff and will serve as defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach.
Good move.
He helped lead defenses that have collected 75 turnovers in the last three seasons – the third most in FBS –and ranked among the top 15 in turnovers gained in each of the previous three years.
"I liked him in the interview. I didn't realize how much everyone else liked him. He's a great coach," Hartline said. "Great people are blowing me up (after hiring him). I was like, wow, all right!"