USF fires Jeff Scott after 4-26 record

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The South Florida (USF) Bulls have fired head football coach Jeff Scott. He was in his third season at the school.

The Bulls struggled under Scott, the former Clemson Tigers co-offensive coordinator. He was 4-26 during his tenure at the Tampa-based school.

“When Jeff came to Tampa in December of 2019, we had high expectations for where he could take our football program,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Kelly said. “While he did so many things right, including rebuilding our culture, pushing forward our Indoor Performance Facility, and engaging our community, the on-the-field results fell well below our standards. He is a tremendous person and class individual and we wish him, Sara, Savannah and Hunter all the best in the future. “In the days ahead, I will share information about our search for a new head coach. Our focus right now is on the talented young men in our football program.”

The team was just 1-19 in conference play. Scott’s last game with the team was on Saturday when the team lost 54-28 to the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Bulls were actually favored to win this game with the Owls by 3 1/2 by the sportsbooks before kickoff. Instead, South Florida dropped its seventh straight game.

Scott did not have more than two wins in a season with the Bulls. He guided the team to a 2-10 record in 2021.

Daniel Da Prato will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season. Da Prato was previously the team’s special teams coordinator.

Scott was not the only coach fired from the staff. Defensive coordinator and safeties coach Bob Shoop was also fired.

Shoop’s responsibilities will be given to Ernie Sims. He had been serving as the co-defeneive coordinator with Shoop. Sims is also the team’s linebackers coach.

“I would like to thank our players, coaches and staff members for all their hard work during my time as the head coach at USF,” Scott said. “I especially want to thank USF President Rhea Law and Vice President/Director of Athletics Michael Kelly for giving me the incredible opportunity to lead the football program the last three years. I will miss this team and will do anything in my power to help them in the future. I am disappointed that our hard work didn’t translate to more success on the field, but I am confident that we have set a new foundation.

“I know the future of USF football is bright and my family and I will always remember our time at USF as a very special chapter in our lives.”