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Following a 7-6 record in 2023, Alex Golesh is entering his second season at USF with some level of confidence. He inherited a team that finished 1-11 in 2022 and was able to secure a winning season in his first year, securing a 45-0 victory over Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Ahead of the 2024 college football season, Golesh had some bold statements regarding the program's schedule during the American Athletic Conference media days on Tuesday. The Bulls will play both Alabama and Miami in their nonconference schedule, and Golesh was unfazed when asked about the games.
"Bama and Miami gotta play South Florida," Golesh said.
The statement by the USF coach has led to a host of reactions among college football fans. While some appreciated his confidence ahead of the two tough games, others believe it will eventually end at nothing.
Here's a look at some of the reactions online.
Some fans pretty much appreciated Golesh's mentality:
"Gotta respect the mindset," a fan wrote.
"W mentality," another fan wrote.
Others believe it won't stop them from taking a loss:
"(Alabama quarterback Jalen) Milroe won’t be benched this year Bama by 30," a fan wrote.
"USF has no idea what this 2024 Miami team is capable of doing but let them talk," another fan wrote.
Alex Golesh believes it's awesome facing Alabama and Miami
While it's obviously a tough schedule for USF, Alex Golesh believes playing both Alabama and Miami this season will be an awesome experience.
The Bulls play on the road against the Crimson Tide on Sept. 7 and host the Hurricanes on Sept. 21.
"That's what college football is, man," Golesh said. "To me, if you don't want to go play in Tuscaloosa, you don't want to host Miami at home — I think it's awesome. I think that's what college football is. Our guys, we'll be more than ready to go play those games."
Alex Golesh is happy with USF’s administration's commitment
One of the reasons Alex Golesh left his offensive coordinator role at Tennessee to become USF's head coach was the commitment of the school to the program. This was evident in his first season, and he anticipates something better in the next.
“I think the resources that our administration has been willing to pour in — which was a huge reason why I took the job — you look at it,” Golesh said, via the Tampa Bay Times.
“It’s probably not publicized enough, but being fully funded in the sense of Alston (educational) award money, cost of attendance, certainly nutrition. We’ve spent more money on feeding our guys in the last year than we did in the five years prior combined.”
After securing a winning season in his first year at USF, Golesh will definitely aim for something bigger in 2024. The Bulls could challenge for the AAC title.
