Imagine being a head coach in college football, leading your team to an impressive 5-1 record and a spot in the national rankings, only to have rumors swirl about you jumping to bigger gigs—yet you shrug it all off like it's no big deal. That's the intriguing reality for Alex Golesh at USF, and it's got everyone talking!
As the college football season heats up and coaching positions begin to open across the country, names are starting to pop up in the rumor mill. One of the earliest ones? Alex Golesh, the head coach of the South Florida Bulls. Right now, his team is sitting at a solid 5-1 record and ranked No. 19 nationally as they head into Week 8. This puts them in a prime spot to compete for a coveted Group of 6 College Football Playoff berth—think of it as a special tournament slot for mid-major programs like USF, where the top teams from conferences outside the Power Five get a chance to shine and potentially make it to the playoffs, adding excitement and prestige to the season.
But here's where it gets controversial: While job openings are sparking chatter everywhere, Golesh is making it clear he's tuning out the noise entirely. In an interview on SiriusXM College Sports Radio, he shared that he's not entertaining thoughts of rumors or available positions. He's zeroing in on his current role at USF, especially as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Florida Atlantic. To put it simply, for beginners in college football, this means coaches like Golesh are often tempted by higher-profile jobs with bigger budgets and more media attention, but he's choosing to stay focused on the here and now.
And this is the part most people miss: The depth of his commitment. Golesh emphasized that he hasn't reached out to anyone about other opportunities or even pondered vacant coaching spots. Instead, he's doubling down on his routine at USF, where he operates like clockwork. 'I've not said a word to anybody,' he told hosts Jacob Hester and Bobby Carpenter. 'I've not thought about it for one second. I think, maybe because I’m not smart enough to be able to think about something else, I’ve never been able to think about anywhere or anything else other than what I’m doing. I think part of that is just how I’ve been brought up and how I operate. … I’m so, so process-driven in terms of, like, I walk in here at the same time every day. I am down to a T.'
He goes on to explain that the only interruptions he allows in his day are for his players or staff—things like sitting down with a player for a chat or even heading to the locker room for a quick game of ping pong. Anything else? He drops it immediately. 'The only thing I ever let interrupt my day-to-day is if I’m going to sit down with a player or go down to the locker room and play ping pong for a little bit. Literally, if it’s a player or somebody on my staff needs me for anything, I’ll walk away, drop anything that I’ve got going on. But outside of that, I don’t think about it. I legitimately couldn’t care less at this point.' It's a refreshing take that prioritizes team culture and daily focus over the allure of career moves, which can sometimes lead to instability in college programs.
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But the story doesn't stop there—here's a controversial twist: Is Golesh's unwavering loyalty admirable, or is he missing out on bigger opportunities that could elevate his career? Alex Golesh himself is thrilled with the progress at USF, calling the program 'moving in such a cool direction.' Under his leadership, the Bulls have already notched seven wins in each of his first two seasons, and this year, they're kicking it off strong with high-profile victories, like a road win over Florida and a season opener against Boise State. These wins aren't just about points on the scoreboard; they're building a resume that could make them contenders in the American Athletic Conference.
Golesh credits the team's success to the players' buy-in and the culture they've built. 'We’ve got so much awesome things going on here,' he said. 'We’re moving in such a cool direction. I’ve never thought about it. It comes up a lot in recruiting, but everywhere I’ve been, it’s been the case. In recruiting, it’s like, “Well, so-and-so is saying you’re not going to be here.” I’m like, “Well, the alternative is that we could suck. Then, I definitely won’t be here.” … I kind of smile at it and laugh.'
He points out that the rumors stem from the team's performance and commitment: 'The reason why people are saying that is because these dudes bought into a process-driven program and bought into a culture. Truthfully, it’s a credit to the players. I’m organizing it, I’m obviously leading the ship, but these dudes are the ones playing on the field and executing and loving on each other and holding each other accountable. So I take it as a compliment and I guess it’s great, but I’d be lying to you if I said I’ve thought one time about it.'
For those new to college football, this highlights a key debate: Coaches like Golesh who stick around build long-term programs, but some argue that chasing 'greener pastures' could bring more resources and exposure. Is his approach outdated in a sport where coaches often hop jobs for fame and fortune, or is it a model for stability? What do you think—does loyalty win out, or should ambition take priority? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we'd love to hear if you agree with Golesh's stance or see it differently!
