On March 25, 2026, Chris Mack was officially hired as the 13th head coach of the University of South Florida (USF) men’s basketball team. This appointment comes after a successful season for the Bulls, who have won 20 or more games in two of the past three seasons.
Mack, 56, brings with him a robust coaching resume, boasting a career record of 323-153. Over his 15-year coaching career, he has led teams to 12 seasons with 20 or more wins and has made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight appearance.
Prior to joining USF, Mack served as the head coach at College of Charleston, Louisville, and Xavier. His tenure at Louisville was particularly notable, where his team was ranked No. 1 for multiple weeks during the 2019-20 season. Mack has also been recognized for his coaching prowess, earning Coach of the Year honors in the Big East in 2018 and the Atlantic 10 in 2011.
In his statement following the hiring, Mack expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “I am truly excited for the opportunity to lead a South Florida basketball program that’s on an exceptional trajectory and to join a university and athletic department defined by strong leadership, shared aspirations, and tremendous alignment.”
Rob Higgins, the athletic director at USF, praised Mack’s hiring, saying, “Bulls basketball has incredible momentum, and we’ve found an outstanding coach and leader to elevate our program to the next level.”
Mack replaces Bryan Hodgson, who coached the Bulls for just one season. His hiring is seen as a strategic move to build on the recent successes of the program and to further enhance its competitiveness in the NCAA landscape.
With Chris Mack and Kristy Curry leading the men’s and women’s basketball programs, respectively, USF aims to create a vibrant basketball culture in Tampa Bay. Higgins noted, “With Chris and Kristy leading our men’s and women’s programs, Tampa Bay’s Home for Hoops will be rocking and poised for an incredibly bright future.”
As Mack steps into this new role, he carries the expectations of fans and the university community, who are hopeful that his leadership will propel the USF Bulls to new heights in collegiate basketball.
