USF Football: Bulls Officially Introduce Brian Hartline as Head Coach

A new era of USF football is officially underway, as Brian Hartline was introduced as the next head coach of the school’s football program on Monday. The event was filled with remarks from not only the team’s new leading man, but also key institutional members of USF.

USF Football: Brian Hartline Officially Introduced as Head Coach

South Florida’s Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford was the first speaker of the event. He spoke about USF’s placement in the ever-changing world of college football.

“We can’t control everything in college athletics. But what we can do is make sure we have the right leadership, the alignment, and the resources to be ready for whatever comes. To be successful in college athletics, there is one thing you have to have, and it is that word alignment. Coach (Hartline), I want you to know that we have alignment here in spades. Everyone here has your back and the success of the program on their minds.”

Weatherford said that the hire signals USF is not just “participating,” but, “competing to win on the biggest stage of college athletics.”

Following Weatherford, USF President Rhea Law said that the school has “taken another step up and another step toward the bold goals that we have set for ourselves.”

Rob Higgins also spoke at the event, talking about what it meant to hire Hartline as the next head coach for USF.

“A little over two months ago, I stood in front of you accepting my dream job. Little did I know that two months later, we would be accepting our dream football coach … As this process started to unfold, we had a chance to swing for the fences. We thankfully found the right leader, and the right leader chose us. We have promised you that, moving forward, we are going to do everything that we can to bring 1-of-1 talent to finally achieve the championship success that our campus and community deserve. And this hire, without a doubt, is 1-of-1.”

Higgins also spoke about what Hartline brings to the table as a coach for USF.

“From the moment we met, I knew we had an identical vision of what USF football could become right in this very moment. Not in the future, but right now. He (Hartline) is gritty, smart, and does things the right way. He is truly all gas and no brakes. And he knows what it takes to be a champion.”

After being introduced by Higgins, USF played a video highlighting their new head coach, which was also dropped on their social media platforms.

Once stepping onto the stage, Hartline first spoke about what he brings to the table.

“I’m about as genuine as it comes. I am going to give you all I got, and I am going to make sure that these players understand that they are the true blood of our program. That it always revolves around the players. Always.”

Hartline said that the job is a “world-class” opportunity, will not take it for granted, and that the school was “always a place that caught my eye from afar.” He also added that “Florida was always my second home” and that he is very excited to get involved in the community.

After a large swath of thanks to his family and the USF brass, Hartline spoke about the type of impact he wants to make as a coach.

“The former coaches I had in high school and college, and the impact they made on me at that point of my life, that is really what we are trying to get accomplished here as well … People can change people’s lives. They have done that to me, and I am looking forward to doing that at USF.”

Expanding on his love for the Florida area, Hartline said that it is “second to none” and spoke about the importance of the area to his new job.

“Tampa has been a huge part of our recruiting plan. South Florida has been huge. Now I get to live in the hotbed and bring the best receivers, cornerbacks, and linemen in the country here? I cannot wait!”

Hartline Plans to Enhance Football Program

Continuing to speak to the media, Brian Hartline talked about how he plans to “enhance” the USF football program.

“Our culture will be built upon relentless effort. Effort is a choice, and we know that. Our program will be disciplined and accountable. Every detail will matter. The way you do one thing is the way you do all things. We want to build on this impressive foundation. We are here to enhance things, not change them. The time is now for USF Football, and we cannot wait to get started.

We are building to chase great goals. We will focus on our alignment, both as a staff and as personnel. Rob (Higgins) and I will be step-and-step through the process. He will have my back, and I will have his. We will make sure we have the right people in place.”

Additionally, Hartline spoke about what his culture will be built around.

“I believe in three main things when you build things. People are number one. Your process is number two. If you do not like the outcome, change the process. The people are probably great, you have identified that. Fix the process. Then it’s purpose. Your purpose can take you to levels that you did not think you were capable of.  We’re going to be motivated through love, not fear. We are going to do it through the love of our brother, not the hate of our opponent. That’s how this thing is all going to be built.”

To wrap up his introduction, Hartline spoke about the players, which he said is what “motivated him” to get into coaching.

“These guys are living their dreams, like literally every day, and I don’t take that lightly. They deserve our best every single day. I expect, we will expect, their best every single day, so they should expect that from us. They are the heart of our program and earn everything they receive, by far. We’re here to support them. We will create and sustain a real family atmosphere. We will have an authentic love for football and promote a positive environment.”

Hartline added that he cannot wait to meet the former players and emphasized the importance of them “passing on” their experiences to the current players. He then said that the Bulls will have a “physical brand of football” that fans will “love” to watch.

“We will win at the highest level. And we will chase championships.”

At the additional media availability, USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins spoke about Hartline’s current commitment to both USF and Ohio State.

“(Hartline) understands the importance of each role. He’s focused on winning a national championship to Ohio State and that’s part of why he’s our guy. We’re gonna support him in both of his journeys.”

Higgins then, when asked, provided an answer on why he thinks the school can retain Hartline for an extended period.

“I think Coach Hartline’s loyalty speaks for itself. The fact that he has been at the same place for as long as he has, and has gone through a variety of coaching changes. That is one of the things we loved about his candidacy. Yes, he has been at the same place, but he has been loyal to it and has been with different head coaches. That is a unicorn scenario for us, to have that person that has not jumped around place to place and has learned from some of the all-time greats of college football.

We are going to do anything and everything we can to build a situation here where there is absolutely no reason to leave. You look at all of the great intangibles that are coming, from our on-campus stadium to the performance center. You look at our media market, 400,000 living alumni, 50,000 students. We have the recipe to make this a destination, not a pit-stop.”

Hartline, when asked about play-calling, said that “it is all up for discussion” and that he is focused on “making sure that the staff is right first.” He also, when asked about quarterback Byrum Brown, said that he “likes his mentality.”

USF is set to play in the Cure Bowl on December 17 against Old Dominion, which will conclude their 2025 season. After that, the process of Hartline building his staff and roster will kick into overdrive, as the transfer portal officially opens for business on January 2.