Holtz and Heath Sign Extensions with USF

From Greg Auman and USF Athletics - Relax folks, Coach Holtz and Coach Heat aren't going anywhere for a while.  It was announced today from USF athletics that both respective coaches have signed extensions.  Holtz is signed through the 2017 season and Heath has signed through the 2017-2018 seasons, respectively.

USF Adds Transfer Kicker

Coach Holtz and staff will have a new player on the roster when classes start in August. 

From Greg Auman - Football never sleeps and the Bulls added a new player to the roster, kicker Michael Hill, from Oklahoma.  Hill is transferring after one season with the Sooners where he was a preferred walk-on.  

News and Notes; Scott looking at NFL?

Darrell Scott could be thinking NFL, we hope he comes back (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

From Greg Auman - As the recruiting season heats up for the USF coaching staff, a few notes came from Coach Holtz as he continues to put together this recruiting class.

He stated that practices could begin on March 3rd, ending with an exhibition game on April 14. Holtz stated they may do two games, one on campus and the other at Raymond James stadium, much like they did this season. Holtz expects everyone to be ready for the spring camp except for Ricardo Dixon who continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered during the season.

A surprising note was the possibility of running back Darrell Scott looking into the NFL. Holtz stated he had several conversations with Scott, but nothing final. Scott carried the ball for 814 yards this season and 6 touchdown (all coming against non-BCS opponents though). At this point, Scott is probably looking to see where he could go in the draft, getting a better understanding of his status, and will make his decision based off of that.

USF needs Scott to come back. If Scott left, the Bulls would be thin at running back, leaving Demetris Murray and Marcus Shaw as the only experienced running backs on the team. Freshman Willie Davis could get a shot in spring, but for now, we need Scott to stay in school and come back for one more year.

Notes from Skip Holtz Press Conference 11/7/2011

From Gousfbulls.com - Coach Holtz held his normal Monday afternoon press conference as the team prepares for Syracuse, trying to snap the 4-game losing streak, the longest in program history. Holtz stated that the team is still confident and working hard (they will practice today, usually an off day for the team). Holtz stated the team was a few plays away from being 7-1 and was frustrated because they had come so close in the last few games. He acknowledged the mistakes and understands the team has to correct a bunch of areas in order to get the team back on the right track. He also realizes that with only 4-games remaining, the hunt for a bowl game is getting tougher for them.

The Difference Between USF's Losses to Cincinnati and to Connecticut

I know many USF football fans are disheartened after such a promising start to the 2011 season and being let down in October as usual. But I'm here to shed a little light on both of USF's most recent losses to Connecticut and to Cincinnati, and hopefully give you, the loyal fans, a little shred of optimism for the rest of the season coming off this rough past month of October.

A Few Notes from Skip Holtz Press Conference

Coach Holtz held his weekly press conference as the team prepares for the game on Saturday at UCONN.

Holtz was up-beat as usual, stating the team was focused and prepared for the game at hand. The team had been "getting back to basics" the last two weeks, trying to iron out the mistakes and problems they saw in the loss to Pitt.

Holtz stated that the team is not taking UCONN lightly and says they are a talented team that will play smash mouth football (reminding people of Big Ten style of play). After the Bulls gave up over 300 yards rushing to Pitt, the team will have to be better in run defense if they want to get a road win here. Holtz also stated that the Bulls linebackers will have to be more aggressive at the point attack. In the Pitt game we could see the linebackers playing back and rushing up to make a stop, not finishing tackles and letting Ray Graham run all over them. The Bulls will have to dig deep in this game against another run heavy team.

Holtz was asked about conference realignment and he stated he is happy about being in the Big East. He said he is proud and confident in the conference.

Holtz stated that defensive tackle Demi Thompson will be out this week. Thompson has been dealing with back issues all season and it would appear they continue to linger. Terrence Mitchell was due to test himself today to see if he could return to the field (no official word yet on his condition or status).

Skip Holtz Preparing Team for Notre Dame

If there is a coach that can prepare his team to face a historic program like Notre Dame, it is Coach Skip Holtz.

As Greg Auman and others have reported today, in a national conference call with Skip Holtz addressed the big storyline of him returning to Notre Dame, the place where his father, Dr. Lou, is a walking legend (or golf cart riding, you decide).

Coach Holtz understands the impact of the game and what it will mean for the family. When you father has a statue of himself outside the stadium, it means something. The name Holtz is synonymous with winning at Notre Dame and Skip is hoping he can continuing the winning tradition, but this time, for the Bulls and not the Irish.

Holtz continues to stress the need to keep everything in perspective for the players, not to be caught in the history and legacy of playing such a historic program. While he states it will be an incredible moment for the players, they have to focus on the task at hand.

Holtz stated that the game is bigger for the program (South Florida) than it is for him, once again showing the type of outstanding person and coach that Holtz is. He understands that the players will be energized and moved by playing against the Irish, but they must play smart and focus.

Holtz stated that he will begin talking with the team about preparations for Notre Dame (allowing the players to get to class on the first day without overloading them). He will go over the field, Touchdown Jesus, and even stated he will take them to the College Football of Fame, helping them get a deeper sense of the history of the program without them looking like tourists come game day.

Now we have talked about Notre Dame quite a bit on here and next week will be even more about Notre Dame, getting everyone ready for the game, but it is refreshing to take a second and listen to a great coach and person in Skip Holtz. Holtz is an excellent X's and O's coach and the team (which we cover until we are blue in the face) will be ready for the game, but taking the time to help the players prepare for the atmosphere and legacy that surrounds the Irish program, takes a special type of person and having Holtz and his history, is the perfect person to lead the Bulls onto the field and on to the first victory of the season.

Notes from USF Practice - Day 1

Dontae Aycock is not as heavy as a lot of people thought at first. (Picture: www.usfnation.com)

The first day of practice is in the books for the USF Bulls and football is finally back in action for the Bulls and Coach Holtz. (click here for the video from Greg Auman).

Here are some highlights of the first day.

Coach Holtz helped clear up a mis-print in the media guide. Running back Dontae Aycock, who was listed at 253-pounds, is actually 233-pounds and in good shape. Holtz believes that all of the players are at good weights, but need to get into football shape and the heat of the camp should help get them ready quickly.

The first practice went well, no injuries to report and Holtz was happy with the play of the veterans and was eager to get the freshman onto the field for the first time and begin the teaching process for all of them as they prepare.

LB Antoine Pozniak has shifted to defensive line, taking snaps with the third team defense. While he is only 220-pounds, he will most likely spend the season learning the position, adding weight, and could be a new weapon in the future off the edge. 6-0 176-pound defensive back Kenneth Durden also caught his attention as he got onto the field and fielded punts well.

The team will hold another practice this afternoon and another on Saturday before they pack up and head down to Vero Beach! Looks like Tropical Storm Emily is no more so the chances of being rained out are not as high now, but then again, it is Florida.

Highlights from the Skip Holtz Press Conference

Football is Back!

Here are some highlights from the press conference (thank goodness football is back!). Holtz addressed the media today to catch everyone up before the team begins their fall camp starting tomorrow. Find out if there are any roster changes, how the practices will go in Vero Beach, and everything else you will need to know. [keep reading]

USF Offers 2012 Offensive Lineman

From Rivals - 2012 offensive tackle Kofi Amichia will look to make an official visit to USF this summer as he continues to pile up the offers (Holtz and staff pick the best names for recruits).

The 6'4" 255-pound tackle out of Powder Springs, Georgia (Mceachern High School) is a rising star and would a great pick-up in the recruiting trail.

Amichia is a very athletic big man that will add some weight when he gets to the collegiate level. He runs a 5.15 in the 40-yard dash and has a 28" vertical (not too bad for a big offensive lineman).

Amichia is starting to get a lot of attention. Cincinnati, FIU, Indiana, Southern Mississippi, UAB, and Western Kentucky have already offered (along with USF) and more offers are sure to come soon for him.

The Bulls have added two solid groups of offensive lineman prospects the last two seasons and have a nice level of depth on the line, but with injuries, graduation, and everything else that goes along in college football, a team can never have enough depth or star power, which means the Bulls must add offensive linemen in the 2012 recruiting class. Holtz is already working on this and could win over Amichia if and when he does visit the campus.

USF Heading Back to Vero Beach This August

Coach Skip Holtz is excited the team is heading back to Vero Beach this August (Picture:www.gousfbulls.com)

From Greg Auman - Skip Holtz announced last night that the football team will be heading back to Vero Beach this August as part of the Fall football camp.

When classes end on August 5th, the Bulls will pack up shop and head to Vero Beach for 11 days to practice and prepare for the highly anticipated 2011 season.

USF is estimating that the cost to feed everyone will be around $100,000, not too bad for 105 hungry football players and staff.

The move to Vero Beach is a great one. Entering the 2010 season amidst the coaching change, the Bulls team had many distractions around them. Holtz decided to move the practices to Vero Beach to get away from all of the distractions, from video games to campus life, and focus on the team and football. The team returned closer than ever. Defensive players roomed with offensive players, something Leavitt never did and the team grew closer, they became a "team."

This season, Holtz is doing it again and the team, administration, and fans alike are in full support of the move despite the new facilities USF has. This trip to Vero is more than facilities, it is to build the relationships in the team and bring all of the players and coaches closer together to help them prepare for the football season.

What are your thoughts on the move to Vero Beach? Share what you think about it with us.

Chase Griffiths Leaving USF

Coach Holtz announced yesterday that sophomore fullback Chase Griffiths will be leaving the program and transferring to another school.

The 6'3 225-pound fullback converted to offense last season from the linebacker position and only played in one game, Stony Brook. Griffiths didn't crack the Spring depth chart and probably wouldn't find the field on either offense or defense this season.

Griffiths leaving does open up a scholarship for next season, but does leave a gap in depth at the fullback position. Armando Sanchez is the fullback, but there is not much depth behind the converted linebacker. Perhaps Andreas Shields or Isaac Virgin could move over to help the position and provide more offensive firepower (don't forget Ty Turner coming in this fall as well).

We wish Mr. Griffiths luck in his playing and collegiate career, hopefully he can find a program where he can get the playing time he wants. This is only the second player to leave the program this program, joining wide receiver T.J. Knowles.

Spring Practice Schedule

It's hard to believe but Spring football practices are finally here! While the basketball season comes to an end (painfully so) it's time to talk football even more than ever. The Bulls, in year two of Coach Holtz, will begin Spring practices tomorrow (1st Big East team to begin practices) and will look to make even greater strides this season.

Here is the schedule of practices for the Bulls (from Greg Auman):

"The Bulls have five practices -- three in pads -- before USF goes on spring break for a week. So the Bulls won't practice from April 9 until April 21, with 10 more workouts that lead up to the spring game at Raymond James Stadium on April 2, as well as a new feature, the "Green and Gold Bowl," an open scrimmage on April 9 to close out spring drills."

You Can Read His Spring Primer Here!

The Bulls have a lot of new faces and a lot of questions on their hands, but they can begin to answer those tomorrow when they hit the new practice fields and begin the quest for the Big East title.

Bulls Offer 2012 Quarterback

Quarterback Gunnar Holcombe has received an offer from USF (Picture:www.rivals.com)

USF recruiting never takes a day off. The Bulls have offered Ft. Lauderdale quarterback Gunnar Holcombe. Holcombe, 6'4" 200-pounds, is a pro-style quarterback that has a big arm and great accuracy. He is the type of quarterback that fits Holtz's system well, big arm, able to move around the pocket, and throw rockets down field.

Holcombe has received offers from Rutgers and South Carolina, along with his USF offer, and has several other schools on his list as the recruiting process continues and heats up as football season draws closer each day. Holcombe will be attending the USF Junior Day on March 5th (according to Rivals). This will be a great chance for Holtz and staff to show Holcombe the new facilities and try to make a lasting impression on this young quarterback.

The Bulls dropped their offer to Stevie Weatherford last season and could use another quarterback on the depth chart to help add talent and help develop a future starter.

Hopkins Setting Records

Derrick Hopkins has incredible speed, but will he get on the field enough this season to show it off?

From Greg Auman - The Bulls have plenty of speed on offense. Both Terrence Mitchell and Lindsey Lamar have made a name for themselves with their blinding speed on the field. But there is another Bull that hardly touched the field last season, but is making a name for himself on the track, Derrick Hopkins. [keep reading]

Holtz Stands by Mut

Wide receiver will probably redshirt this season after tearing his ACL (picture from usfnation.com)

The Bulls got three wide receivers in the 2011 recruiting class, but one of them, Alex Mut, has torn an ACL during a game of basketball, just a few before signing day (as reported by Adam Adkins - TBO). [keep reading]

Watson the Big Surprise from NSD

The Bulls put together a solid recruiting class for the 2011 group. The biggest surprise was the commitment of 4-star defensive tackle Elkino Watson. Watson, the 6'2" 275-pounds, defensive monster, decided over FSU, Miami, UCF, and others to come to USF.

The 4-star recruit is the prized recruit in this class. Watson is coming off of a monster season that made him one of the top defensive line prospects in the state. He has incredible power off the line, able to push a lineman back and get to the quarterback. He is also solid against the run, registering 65 tackles in his senior season (high number for a defensive lineman).

With Terrell McClain headed to the NFL and the need for talent and depth on the front 4, Watson is a huge pick up for Holtz and staff. Watson will be the early mix for playing time due to his ability to rush the passer. Patrick Hampton and Kevin McCaskill, along with Todd Chandler (another 4-star recruit from Miami) will be on the defensive line rotation, giving the Bulls depth and talent. Marquis White is another defensive prospect that will line up beside him and help give the Bulls a solid and skilled defensive front.

First Year A Success Under Holtz

Skip Holtz had a successful first season as the head coach of USF.

Skip Holtz completed a very successful 1st year leading the USF Bulls. Coming into the recruiting season late, changing coaches, losing players to the NFL and transferring, and winning over the current players, Holtz had a lot on his plate plus actually coaching the games. [keep reading]

Thoughts on Leavitt Settlement

The lawsuit between former head coach Jim Leavitt and USF has been resolved. Leavitt will be paid $2.75 million as the final settlement for his termination. Leavitt was fired after striking walk-on running back Joel Miller in 2009 and interfering with investigations by the university, although he denies all charges.

USF fired Leavitt very quickly and this settlement has taken awhile to unfold, but it appears it is finally over. Leavitt is now cleared of any legal issues and will go back to coaching, probably to Kansas State (ton of history with that program). USF will be able to put this black eye behind them and focus on the future of the program with Skip Holtz.

Leavitt founded the USF football program and led it to countless victories, ranking, upsets over ranked opponents, and bowl wins. Leavitt did a lot for the school and the student-athletes, but it was quickly forgotten after his incident with Miller. I was a supporter of Leavitt, but always had some issues with his play calling and attitude he had on the sidelines and how he treated the media and student body at times (Holtz actually wants to meet with everyone).

When Leavitt was fired I was shocked but understood the move for many reasons (won't get into it). I am glad this is over for both parties. USF is moving forward with Holtz and now Leavitt can continue his coaching career where ever he pleases. Time to move on but always remember where we came from.

(Original story by Greg Auman, www.tampabay.com)