USF basketball coach Bryan Hodgson is making the jump to Providence College
By Rick Mayer
March 22, 2026 at 10:35 AM EDT
Hodgson is joining a school in the Big East Conference, a basketball-first power league rich in tradition, resources and national exposure.
For the second time in four months, the head coach from a revenue-producing sport has used South Florida as a steppingstone to a higher-profile college program.
This time, it’s men’s basketball coach Bryan Hodgson, who has agreed Sunday to take over at Providence College, a school in the Big East Conference, a basketball-first power league rich in tradition, resources, finances and national exposure.
Hodgson’s decision comes days after leading the Bulls to an 25-9 record, an American Conference championship and NCAA tournament bid in his only season in Tampa. It was their first NCAA appearance since 2012 and first conference tournament title since 1990.
Hodgson thanked fans and university administrators Sunday morning in a farewell post on social media. Meantime, USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins said he had been preparing for the possibility of beginning a coaching search.
"Deciding to leave is not easy," Hodgson wrote on X. "This place, these people, and this program mean a great deal to me. My hope is that we left it better than we found it, that we delivered on the vision we shared and laid a foundation that will continue to grow.
"Most importantly, thank you for the way you welcomed my family. That meant everything. South Florida will always hold a special place in our hearts."
His departure follows that of third-year football coach Alex Golesh, who accepted the same position at Auburn on Nov. 30, hours after USF's regular-season finale. Golesh was credited with rebuilding a program that won only four of 30 games before his arrival.
https://twitter.com/CoachBHodgson/status/2035713685356720348
In a separate post on X, Higgins wrote that he attempted to keep Hodgson. According to multiple reports, USF made a "substantial offer."
"Rest assured, we did everything within reason to try and retain Coach for the long term," Higgins wrote. " We will always be proactive and aggressive in working to retain high performing coaches, but equally as important, we will also always be the ultimate stewards of our department’s financial resources."
"This includes working diligently to put our program in prime position to land the perfect leader to not only build on this special season, but to also help take us to even greater heights in seasons to come."
Higgins added that there has already been "unprecedented" interest in the USF opening.
"I am naturally biased, but we believe the short- and long-term opportunity of leading our men’s basketball program is second to none," he wrote. "The interest associated with this position has already been unprecedented in advance of it officially opening, which speaks to how far our program has come in recent seasons, how well it’s competitively resourced, and where we're going."
https://twitter.com/RHiggins_USF/status/2035707647224107491
Higgins just completed his first major coaching search, hiring Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline to replace Golesh. He also just started a national search for a women's basketball coach after Jose Fernandez went to the WNBA before this past season. Over 25 years at USF, Fernandez won 485 games and made 10 trips to the NCAA tournament.
A hot coaching commodity
Hodgson was brought on by USF in March 2025 after two seasons at Arkansas State, where he went 45-28, including a program-record 25 wins during his final year. He signed a six-year, $8.5 million contract.
Those three years of success made him a hot coaching commodity in recent weeks, and his name has been bandied about by media outlets and social media posters – most recently in connection with openings at Syracuse and Providence.
Although Hodgson refused to comment about the rumors, he talked glowingly about his time in Tampa during a news conference after the Bulls’ 83-79 loss to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. To many observers, he sounded like someone considering a exit.
“USF a phenomenal place. Very appreciative to the administration there for believing in me,” he said.
ALSO READ: Hodgson's homecoming for USF's NCAAs filled with painful, uplifting memories
“When (USF) hired me, I had two years of head coaching experience under my belt. … I mean, they had guys that had been coaching for 25, 30 years that wanted that job. I had never been to an NCAA tournament before as a head coach, and so they took a chance on me, and I'll forever be grateful for that.”
“It's a phenomenal university community and athletic department. They treat their people with the utmost respect and resources in order to be successful.
"The University of South Florida is just scratching the surface, right? There's so much momentum going on that campus and in that community, and it's really just getting started. Great leadership, that's what drives all that. But South Florida's got great days ahead.”
According to Syracuse.com, Hodgson reportedly turned down an offer last week from Syracuse, which is located near his hometown of Jamestown, New York.
Asked about that job on Wednesday, he told the outlet: “I’m gonna be honest with you, I am not gonna talk about any of that stuff right now.”
Two days earlier, after winning the American Conference tournament, Hodgson was asked about Syracuse and emphatically denied that reports of him leaving USF were a distraction to the team.
“It’s great to be wanted,” he said. Those opportunities come with success.”
Difficult to match what Big East offers
A few months after Hodgson was hired, USF Athletic Director Mike Kelly left for the same job at Navy, and Higgins was named CEO of Athletics.
Since then, the university’s board of trustees followed through on a planned commitment to fully fund athletics under the NCAA’s new revenue-sharing model, approving up to $20.5 million annually — the maximum allowed under a 2025 antitrust settlement — as it works to keep pace with the American Conference and broader college sports landscape.
ALSO READ: USF Bulls earn first NCAA tournament bid since 2012, first conference title in 36 years
However, even if the salary offer from USF was "substantial," Providence reportedly has more than $11 million for name, likeness and image (NIL) deals for men's basketball. USF, while increasing that budget, wasn't going to match that.
Football tends to drive the investment at Football Bowl Subdivision programs, while at basketball-centric leagues like the Big East the bulk of the money shifts to the hardwood. Big East schools, most in major media markets, also benefit financially by generating significantly more television revenue than those in mid-major leagues like the American Conference.
According to board of trustees documents, Hartline will earn base salary in the neighborhood of $3.5 million annually, while Hodgson’s contract was roughly in the range of $1.25 million to $1.5 million, including bonus incentives.
Under his contract, Hodgson will be on the hook for a $2 million buyout, due to USF because he left voluntarily before April 15, 2027.
Friars seek 'new life' for program
Hodgson will be formally introduced in Providence during a press conference on Tuesday, although he issued a statement on Sunday through his new school.
“This is a program with a proud tradition, passionate fan base, and a city that truly embraces its team,” Hodgson said. "We’re going to build something that reflects that pride. We will be tough, disciplined, and relentless in our pursuit of excellence.”
Hodgson is replacing Kim English, who was fired by Providence on March 3 after going 48-52 over three seasons. That included a 23-37 mark in the Big East. The Friars lost 85-72 to St. John's in this year’s Big East tournament quarterfinals and finished 15-18 overall.
The Friars did not reach the NCAA tournament or have a winning Big East record under English. After beating three ranked teams in English’s debut season, Providence went 0-10 against them since.
ALSO READ: What the NCAA legal settlement means for the USF athletic program
"Bryan has successfully used analytics, his recruiting skills and coaching to win 70 games," Napolillo said. "Bryan is a winner and we need a winning culture at Providence College. We are looking forward to the start of a new era in Friartown as we enter the 100th year of Providence College men's basketball."
"In this new revenue share/NIL landscape, I knew we needed a coach with the energy, passion and the skills to get us back to competing for championships and playing in the NCAA Tournament," Providence College Athletics Director Steve Napolillo said. "Bryan has revived two Division I programs and it is our goal for him to bring new life into Friar men's basketball."
Hodgson is expected to bring his USF staff to Providence (except for Tobin Anderson, who accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee Tech).
Back to the drawing board
The Bulls will soon have their fifth head coach in five years, with each change for different circumstances.
Hodgson, 38, replaced USF interim coach Ben Fletcher, who was 13-19 after taking over days before the 2024-25 season because of the unexpected death of Amir Abdur-Rahim, an inspirational leader who turned around the program in one season.
Abdur-Rahim replaced Brian Gregory, who went 79–107 over six seasons before he was fired in 2023. Under Abdur-Rahim, the Bulls went 25-8 and won the American regular-season title.
ALSO READ: USF begins a national search for a women's basketball head coach
Hodgson often said he finds inspiration from Abdur-Rahim and has worn wristbands that honor the late coach and reflect the culture he built at USF.
With all that Rhode Island NIL cash, there is also a likelihood Hodgson will bring along at least a couple of players from the Bulls' roster. Two to keep an eye on are guards Wes Enis and C.J. Brown.
Enis was a first-team all-conference pick who set a team mark with 107 3-point baskets, shooting 35% beyond the arc. The junior, who averaged 16.4 points per game, transferred to USF last year from Lincoln Memorial, where he was a Division II All-American.
Brown, a sophomore, was the lone player on the team recruited by Abdur-Rahim and briefly entered the transfer portal last March after Fletcher was let go. He changed his mind after Hodgson was hired, and averaged 10.9 points and 4.7 assists this year.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
This time, it’s men’s basketball coach Bryan Hodgson, who has agreed Sunday to take over at Providence College, a school in the Big East Conference, a basketball-first power league rich in tradition, resources, finances and national exposure.
Hodgson’s decision comes days after leading the Bulls to an 25-9 record, an American Conference championship and NCAA tournament bid in his only season in Tampa. It was their first NCAA appearance since 2012 and first conference tournament title since 1990.
Hodgson thanked fans and university administrators Sunday morning in a farewell post on social media. Meantime, USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins said he had been preparing for the possibility of beginning a coaching search.
"Deciding to leave is not easy," Hodgson wrote on X. "This place, these people, and this program mean a great deal to me. My hope is that we left it better than we found it, that we delivered on the vision we shared and laid a foundation that will continue to grow.
"Most importantly, thank you for the way you welcomed my family. That meant everything. South Florida will always hold a special place in our hearts."
His departure follows that of third-year football coach Alex Golesh, who accepted the same position at Auburn on Nov. 30, hours after USF's regular-season finale. Golesh was credited with rebuilding a program that won only four of 30 games before his arrival.
https://twitter.com/CoachBHodgson/status/2035713685356720348
In a separate post on X, Higgins wrote that he attempted to keep Hodgson. According to multiple reports, USF made a "substantial offer."
"Rest assured, we did everything within reason to try and retain Coach for the long term," Higgins wrote. " We will always be proactive and aggressive in working to retain high performing coaches, but equally as important, we will also always be the ultimate stewards of our department’s financial resources."
"This includes working diligently to put our program in prime position to land the perfect leader to not only build on this special season, but to also help take us to even greater heights in seasons to come."
Higgins added that there has already been "unprecedented" interest in the USF opening.
"I am naturally biased, but we believe the short- and long-term opportunity of leading our men’s basketball program is second to none," he wrote. "The interest associated with this position has already been unprecedented in advance of it officially opening, which speaks to how far our program has come in recent seasons, how well it’s competitively resourced, and where we're going."
https://twitter.com/RHiggins_USF/status/2035707647224107491
Higgins just completed his first major coaching search, hiring Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline to replace Golesh. He also just started a national search for a women's basketball coach after Jose Fernandez went to the WNBA before this past season. Over 25 years at USF, Fernandez won 485 games and made 10 trips to the NCAA tournament.
A hot coaching commodity
Hodgson was brought on by USF in March 2025 after two seasons at Arkansas State, where he went 45-28, including a program-record 25 wins during his final year. He signed a six-year, $8.5 million contract.
Those three years of success made him a hot coaching commodity in recent weeks, and his name has been bandied about by media outlets and social media posters – most recently in connection with openings at Syracuse and Providence.
Although Hodgson refused to comment about the rumors, he talked glowingly about his time in Tampa during a news conference after the Bulls’ 83-79 loss to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament. To many observers, he sounded like someone considering a exit.
“USF a phenomenal place. Very appreciative to the administration there for believing in me,” he said.
ALSO READ: Hodgson's homecoming for USF's NCAAs filled with painful, uplifting memories
“When (USF) hired me, I had two years of head coaching experience under my belt. … I mean, they had guys that had been coaching for 25, 30 years that wanted that job. I had never been to an NCAA tournament before as a head coach, and so they took a chance on me, and I'll forever be grateful for that.”
“It's a phenomenal university community and athletic department. They treat their people with the utmost respect and resources in order to be successful.
"The University of South Florida is just scratching the surface, right? There's so much momentum going on that campus and in that community, and it's really just getting started. Great leadership, that's what drives all that. But South Florida's got great days ahead.”
According to Syracuse.com, Hodgson reportedly turned down an offer last week from Syracuse, which is located near his hometown of Jamestown, New York.
Asked about that job on Wednesday, he told the outlet: “I’m gonna be honest with you, I am not gonna talk about any of that stuff right now.”
Two days earlier, after winning the American Conference tournament, Hodgson was asked about Syracuse and emphatically denied that reports of him leaving USF were a distraction to the team.
“It’s great to be wanted,” he said. Those opportunities come with success.”
Difficult to match what Big East offers
A few months after Hodgson was hired, USF Athletic Director Mike Kelly left for the same job at Navy, and Higgins was named CEO of Athletics.
Since then, the university’s board of trustees followed through on a planned commitment to fully fund athletics under the NCAA’s new revenue-sharing model, approving up to $20.5 million annually — the maximum allowed under a 2025 antitrust settlement — as it works to keep pace with the American Conference and broader college sports landscape.
ALSO READ: USF Bulls earn first NCAA tournament bid since 2012, first conference title in 36 years
However, even if the salary offer from USF was "substantial," Providence reportedly has more than $11 million for name, likeness and image (NIL) deals for men's basketball. USF, while increasing that budget, wasn't going to match that.
Football tends to drive the investment at Football Bowl Subdivision programs, while at basketball-centric leagues like the Big East the bulk of the money shifts to the hardwood. Big East schools, most in major media markets, also benefit financially by generating significantly more television revenue than those in mid-major leagues like the American Conference.
According to board of trustees documents, Hartline will earn base salary in the neighborhood of $3.5 million annually, while Hodgson’s contract was roughly in the range of $1.25 million to $1.5 million, including bonus incentives.
Under his contract, Hodgson will be on the hook for a $2 million buyout, due to USF because he left voluntarily before April 15, 2027.
Friars seek 'new life' for program
Hodgson will be formally introduced in Providence during a press conference on Tuesday, although he issued a statement on Sunday through his new school.
“This is a program with a proud tradition, passionate fan base, and a city that truly embraces its team,” Hodgson said. "We’re going to build something that reflects that pride. We will be tough, disciplined, and relentless in our pursuit of excellence.”
Hodgson is replacing Kim English, who was fired by Providence on March 3 after going 48-52 over three seasons. That included a 23-37 mark in the Big East. The Friars lost 85-72 to St. John's in this year’s Big East tournament quarterfinals and finished 15-18 overall.
The Friars did not reach the NCAA tournament or have a winning Big East record under English. After beating three ranked teams in English’s debut season, Providence went 0-10 against them since.
ALSO READ: What the NCAA legal settlement means for the USF athletic program
"Bryan has successfully used analytics, his recruiting skills and coaching to win 70 games," Napolillo said. "Bryan is a winner and we need a winning culture at Providence College. We are looking forward to the start of a new era in Friartown as we enter the 100th year of Providence College men's basketball."
"In this new revenue share/NIL landscape, I knew we needed a coach with the energy, passion and the skills to get us back to competing for championships and playing in the NCAA Tournament," Providence College Athletics Director Steve Napolillo said. "Bryan has revived two Division I programs and it is our goal for him to bring new life into Friar men's basketball."
Hodgson is expected to bring his USF staff to Providence (except for Tobin Anderson, who accepted the head coaching position at Tennessee Tech).
Back to the drawing board
The Bulls will soon have their fifth head coach in five years, with each change for different circumstances.
Hodgson, 38, replaced USF interim coach Ben Fletcher, who was 13-19 after taking over days before the 2024-25 season because of the unexpected death of Amir Abdur-Rahim, an inspirational leader who turned around the program in one season.
Abdur-Rahim replaced Brian Gregory, who went 79–107 over six seasons before he was fired in 2023. Under Abdur-Rahim, the Bulls went 25-8 and won the American regular-season title.
ALSO READ: USF begins a national search for a women's basketball head coach
Hodgson often said he finds inspiration from Abdur-Rahim and has worn wristbands that honor the late coach and reflect the culture he built at USF.
With all that Rhode Island NIL cash, there is also a likelihood Hodgson will bring along at least a couple of players from the Bulls' roster. Two to keep an eye on are guards Wes Enis and C.J. Brown.
Enis was a first-team all-conference pick who set a team mark with 107 3-point baskets, shooting 35% beyond the arc. The junior, who averaged 16.4 points per game, transferred to USF last year from Lincoln Memorial, where he was a Division II All-American.
Brown, a sophomore, was the lone player on the team recruited by Abdur-Rahim and briefly entered the transfer portal last March after Fletcher was let go. He changed his mind after Hodgson was hired, and averaged 10.9 points and 4.7 assists this year.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.