Former Tennessee OC Alex Golesh Had Impressive First Year at USF

Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh’s first season as head of the South Florida Bulls has now concluded.

Let’s take a look at how Golesh fared in year one.

Record: 7-6

Conference Record: 4-4

Conference Finish: 5th (AAC)

Bowl Game Result: W (45-0)

Non-Conference Record: 2-2 (3-2 w/ bowl game)

While USF wasn’t in contention to win the AAC down the stretch, the fact the Bulls’ record improved by a whopping five games (1-11 in 2022) is a telling sign of how well Golesh did in year one.

USF’s big wins this past season include a 42-29 win over 6-6 Rice, a 38-24 win over 12-1 and HBCU champions Florida A&M and the 45-0 drubbing of 6-6 Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Additionally, USF took Alabama down to the wire in Week 3, as it was a one-score game in the fourth quarter before the Tide ultimately escaped with a 17-3 win in Tampa Bay.

After the bowl game win on Thursday night, Golesh was fired up and dropped a passionate and very accurate line during the post-game interview.

“We just went and whooped that ass, didn’t we?”

Coach is 1 of 1 👏 pic.twitter.com/F6zoyt6eLr

— It’s Brewin’ at McEwen (USF⚾️) (@USFBaseballFans) December 22, 2023

More From RTI: Where Joe Milton III Ranks on the NFL Draft Quarterback Hot Board

Golesh’s passion is admirable, and he has every right to be that way. Golesh led USF to the Bulls’ best record since 2018.

In fact, South Florida’s seven wins this season are more than the Bulls’ wins in 2022, 2021 and 2020 combined. Additionally, Golesh led the Bulls to their first bowl win since 2017 when they won the Birmingham Bowl after a 10-win season.

Forty-five-to-nothing bowl wins aren’t common. USF’s win over Syracuse will likely be the most lopsided bowl game of the season. It shows that USF was wanting to make a statement, and a statement they made. USF is certainly no longer a laughing stock and will likely be a sneaky preseason pick to win the AAC next year, especially considering Golesh’s incredible recruiting success so far.