Chris Mack Takes Charge As USF’s New Head Coach

Chris Mack has been named the 13th head coach in the history of the South Florida Bulls, marking a significant move for a program coming off one of its strongest seasons in program history. It was officially announced by the university on Wednesday and marked the new course of action based on experience and long-term success.

Proven Success Across Multiple Programs

Chris Mack comes to Tampa after spending two seasons with the College of Charleston Cougars, where he had a record of 45-20. His last season has concluded with a 21-11 record, which cements his status as a steady winner.

Throughout his 15-year tenure as a head coach, Chris Mack has been able to accrue a commendable 323-153 record. He had a successful tenure with the Xavier Musketeers, the Louisville Cardinals, and Charleston. He has led his teams to 9 NCAA Tournaments, 4 Sweet 16’s, and 1 Elite Eight with Xavier in 2017. In 2016, he was also awarded the national coach of the year.

Rapid Succession Since the Exit Of Hodgson

The move to hire follows the exit of Bryan Hodgson, who left the Bulls to join the Providence Friars a few days ago. His one-season stay at South Florida was a success, with Hodgson leading the team to a record 25-9 and winning both the American Athletic Conference regular-season title and tournament title.

The Bulls also earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but were defeated by a margin of 83-79 by Louisville in the Round of 64. Although the role of coach changing came very suddenly, the program’s recent momentum was a major factor in bringing the caliber of candidates that Chris Mack got.

Confidence In the Hire

Rob Higgins, the CEO of USF Athletics, said that the university had been working on the likelihood of a change in the coach. He described how the administration was looking to set the program up for further success and to get a leader who would take the program to another level.

Higgins was confident that Mack would succeed in building on the team’s recent achievements. He emphasized the experience Mack has in building the roster, especially via the transfer portal, and how he has turned programs into competitors in a short period of time.

Mack, for his part, did not deny the program’s trajectory. He attributed the success to the vision of the University’s leadership. He said that the consistency and dedication that the administration demonstrated were key factors in accepting the job.

Contract Terms and Financial Consequences

There is also a financial reason behind Mack’s move to South Florida. Since he had already accepted the position before April 30, 2026, he has to pay Charleston $1.5 million.  It remains unclear whether the university will assist with that payment, as no official comment has been provided.

This made Chris Mack earn a salary of $1.1 million in his final season at Charleston and a bonus of 50,000 to exceed the 20-win threshold.

What’s Next 

Having an established coach now, South Florida hopes to maintain its recent success and propel to national prominence. Chris Mack’s experience and momentum could lead to a transformative era in Bulls basketball.