It can be argued that USF’s worst enemy this season was itself. Heading into it’s bowl game, head coach Charlie Strong suspended 11 players, which included five key players on offense.
Well, it’s become evident that Strong is ready to clean house. According to Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times, the 11 players that were suspended and four assistant coaches are expected to be dismissed from the program.
Projected 2019 record and S&P+ ranking : 7-5 (71st)
Five key points :
1. 19 games into his USF tenure, Strong was 17-2. But the Bulls suffered a couple of injuries and lost six straight to finish 2018. 2. New offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell won the Division II national title at Valdosta State with a balanced and explosive attack. 3. Bell inherits some exciting weapons: QB Blake Barnett, RB Jordan Cronkrite, and explosive WR Randall St. Felix, among others. 4. The defense has lots to replace and wasn’t very good at getting off the field when it had the chance. The secondary has massive potential, though. 5. The Bulls are projected in the middle of the AAC pack and could replicate last year’s seven wins. That’s … fine, I guess?
During the 2017-18 academic year, USF Athletics consisted of 3,185 donors who graciously gave financial support to the athletic department. USF saw an increase in donor membership to 3,400 thus far this academic year and have set a goal of 4,000 members, which would be an all-time high and move USF into the top half of all universities in the American Athletic Conference. The goal of the Drive for 4,000 campaign is simple – increase the number of fans who support USF Athletics to the highest number of donors in a single year.
It seems that the strategy has now changed after landing the TV contract. Between Aresco’s comments a few weeks ago and schools accepting more 2 for 1’s, the push for Power6 almost seems dead.