Holtz explains USF staff changes

Posted Feb 22, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 22, 2012 at 11:07 AM

University of South Florida football coach Skip Holtz said he believes the shifting of responsibilities on his staff will make for a more efficient offensive approach in 2012.

Holtz said offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, also the running backs coach for two seasons, will now work with USF’s quarterbacks. Peter Vaas, the former quarterbacks coach was reassigned to tight ends. Meanwhile, Larry Scott will shift from tight ends to running backs.

Last season, the Bulls were the nation’s 30th-best offense (432.75 yards per game) in the Football Bowl Subdivision, a vast improvement from 105th in Holtz’s first season that was rendered somewhat irrelevant by USF’s 5-7 finish.

“None of these (moves) are demotions,’’ Holtz said. “It wasn’t a deal where you’re saying, ‘Ugh, we’ve got to move this coach, we’ve got to lose this guy.’ To make the step that we did statistically in one season, I wasn’t at all dissatisfied with our progress.

“I feel like in those guys we’ve got three really good football coaches. For us to take another step and help the internal workings of our staff, I think these are very positive moves. I think it will make this more efficient. But it wasn’t like I was trying to correct an inefficiency.’’

Holtz said it makes sense for USF’s offensive coordinator to work directly with the quarterbacks. As an assistant at Notre Dame and South Carolina, Holtz said he had stints working specifically with quarterbacks, tight ends and wide receivers while serving as offensive coordinator.

“It is easier coordinating from the quarterbacks because the quarterback is tied into every aspect of the offensive game plan,’’ Holtz said. “There are less layers, one less link of communication. From that standpoint, it’s a positive, and I think it’s something that coach Fitch ultimately is going to feel more comfortable with.’’

Fitch is USF’s primary recruiter in the Orlando area. Tuesday night, the Bulls might have gotten closer to attracting their quarterback of the future when Winter Park High School rising senior Asiantii Woulard gave a verbal commitment to USF for the 2013 signing class.

Holtz praised the work of Vaas, saying his knowledge, experience and versatility “allowed us the flexibility to be able to make these moves in the first place.’’ Scott, a holdover from Jim Leavitt’s staff, “is becoming a better football coach and we wanted to give him more all-around experience.’’

Steve Shankweiler will continue as USF’s offensive line coach. Tuesday, Holtz hired Jerome Pathon, a former NFL player who has been on the University of San Diego staff for three seasons, as USF’s receivers coach. Pathon replaces Phil McGeoghan, who left for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins shortly after signing day.
 

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Cinderella story of USF’s Jerome Pathon

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 10:11 PM

If you’re attracted to a good Cinderella sports story, then you’re probably going to love Jerome Pathon, who was hired Tuesday as the University of South Florida’s receivers coach.

Pathon, 36, was receivers coach at the University of San Diego for the past three seasons. Born in South Africa and raised in Canada, he didn’t have a big-time scholarship offer for college football. So he became a walk-on at the University of Washington.

After that?

* He finished as the school’s third all-time leader in receiving yards.

* He became a first-team All-American.

* He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round (with the 32nd overall pick).

* He played eight seasons in the NFL.

“You don’t do any of that without some incredible determination, drive and work habits,’’ USF coach Skip Holtz said. “His path to get there (NFL) was as interesting to me as him actually being there. I think he’s very special.’’

Holtz said Pathon’s background will mean “instant credibility’’ for USF’s receiving corps, one of the team’s deepest and strongest units.

  “But this is more than just sizzle,’’ Holtz said. “When he got on the board (during the interview process), he showed that he knows the trade. The techniques and fundamentals … he just knows the trade. There’s sizzle to his background, but he has quite a bit of substance behind it as well.’’

Ironically, Phil McGeoghan, the former USF receivers coach who left for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins just after signing day, was a major reason why Pathon got a look from USF. McGeoghan, who once was Pathon’s teammate with the New Orleans Saints, recommended him to Holtz. Minnesota Vikings assistant George Stewart, who once played for Holtz’s father Lou, also knows Pathon and provided a strong endorsement.

“Jerome is a young coach, but I think his star is rising,’’ Holtz said. “I was impressed by his knowledge, his experience and his hunger. Jerome really made an impression on Phil (McGeoghan). He was a teammate, but he coached Phil back then on how to be a professional and how to work.

“I think Jerome is going to do the same kind of thing for our guys.’’
 

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USF hires Pathon as receivers coach

Posted Feb 21, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 21, 2012 at 04:44 PM

University of San Diego assistant Jerome Pathon, a former NFL player and first-team All-American in college, was hired Tuesday as wide receivers coach at the University of South Florida to complete Skip Holtz’s staff for the 2012 season.

“Jerome brings a ton of credibility,’’ Holtz said. “He’s full of energy and excitement and I think his star is really rising in the coaching profession.’’

Pathon, 36, has been the receivers coach for three seasons at San Diego, a Football Championship Subdivision team. He played eight NFL seasons, mostly with the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2001) and New Orleans Saints (2002-04), finishing with 260 career receptions for 3,350 yards and 15 touchdowns.

He replaces Phil McGeoghan, who left to become assistant receivers coach with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. McGeoghan and Pathon once were teammates with the Saints.

Pathon was a first-team All-American at the University of Washington in 1997, when he set school records for receptions (69) and receiving yards (1,245). He finished with 2,275 career receiving yards to rank third all-time at Washington.

In 1998, he was a second-round draft pick (32nd selection overall) of the Colts. The team’s first-round pick? Quarterback Peyton Manning.

Pathon, who was born in South Africa and raised in Canada, worked as a Washington receivers assistant while completing his degree in marketing and advertising. He also had scouting internships with the Colts and CFL’s B.C. Lions in 2008.

Pathon inherits a position of strength with the Bulls. USF counts Sterling Griffin, Terrence Mitchell, Andre Davis, Deonte Welch, Victor Marc and Ruben Gonzalez among its returning receivers. Additionally, former University of Florida receiver Chris Dunkley is eligible and incoming freshman D’Vario Montgomery could be an early contributors.

Elsewhere, Holtz has shifted position responsibilities among the offensive staff. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will shift from running backs to quarterbacks. Peter Vaas goes from quarterbacks to tight ends. Larry Scott moves from tight ends to running backs. Steve Shankweiler continues as the offensive line coach.
   

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ESPN: Bulls closer to NCAA field

Posted Feb 19, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 19, 2012 at 10:59 PM

Apparently, Sunday night’s 56-47 victory at Pittsburgh did wonders for the University of South Florida’s NCAA Tournament bubble hopes.

Previously, USF wasn’t on the radar of ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. But after beating Pitt, the Bulls were listed as one of Lunardi’s “First Four Teams Out’’ in his projections of the 68 NCAA Tournament teams, which will appear Monday on ESPN.com.

Lunardi’s last four teams in the NCAA field: Texas, Northwestern, Seton Hall, Miami.

Lunardi’s first four teams out: N.C. State, UCF, South Florida, Oregon.

From this point until Selection Sunday on March 11, Lunardi’s projections will be updated almost daily. Lunardi, a Saint Joseph’s University administrator who has helped to make bracketology into a cottage industry, is sometimes deadly accurate in his projections. So for USF, which hasn’t made the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament since 1992, the fun might be just beginning.

The Bulls (17-10, 10-4 Big East Conference) need to do more, although they just set a program record by winning their 10th conference game. But they are trending in the right direction.
 
USF’s remaining schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 22—at Syracuse

Sunday, Feb. 26—Cincinnati

Wednesday, Feb. 29—at Louisville

Saturday, March 3—West Virginia

March 6-10—Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden

 

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Hillsborough product Lamar wins Big East crown for USF, Lovely third for St. John’s

Posted Feb 19, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 19, 2012 at 08:59 PM

After suffering through a hamstring strain that plagued him during his freshman season and a shoulder injury that halted his sophomore campaign, former Hillsborough High standout and current University of South Florida junior Lindsey Lamar finally claimed what he hopes will be the first of many Big East crowns when he won the 60-meter dash finals of Sunday’s indoor conference championships in New York City.

“It feels great,” Lamar said of his victory at the New Balance Track and Field Center. “This year, I’m finally healthy and running the way I should.”

Saturday, Lamar turned in the meet’s fastest qualifying time in the 60, running 6.74 seconds. That’s the Big East’s fastest time of the indoor season. He didn’t get out of the blocks as well Sunday, but his 6.78 was still good enough to beat teammate Kayvon Webster by .05.

“My reaction time wasn’t as good in the finals as it was in the prelims,” said Lamar, who also plays football for the Bulls at running back. “I had to run some people down but at the end, I knew I had won.”

Lamar said his focus is still on Bulls football. But he said he is looking forward to his outdoor track season and the possibility of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic track trials in the 100. The trials’ “A” standard in the men’s 100 is 10.18 and the “B” standard is 10.28.  In high school, Lamar ran a wind-aided 100 time of 10.35.

“I’m not sure about trying to get to the trials,” Lamar said. “I’ll take it as it comes but I’m still concentrating on my football right now.”

Also scoring for the Bulls in this meet was former Alonso star Franklin Mosely, who finished eighth in the 400-meter finals in 48.94.

In the women’s competition, former All-Hillsborough County athlete Rikka Lovely, now competing as a junior for St. John’s, finished a career-best third in the 200 (24.06) and fifth in the 60 (7.58).

Lovely’s third-place effort was the best showing for her squad in the meet. She is majoring in mass communications at St. John’s.

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Bulls still unbeaten after bizarre finish

Posted Feb 19, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 19, 2012 at 07:58 PM

ST. PETERSBURG—The University of South Florida Bulls remained unbeaten and clinched a co-championship of the Big Ten-Big East Baseball Challenge on Sunday. But for USF, the finish of Sunday’s game at Al Lang Field was downright bizarre.

Officially, it will go down in the books as USF 4, Minnesota 3 in seven innings.

In reality, the Golden Gophers opened the top of the eighth inning with a double, then a single off USF reliever Adrian Puig, placing runners at the corners with nobody out. Big trouble for USF. Then, in a flash, it was over. The home-plate umpire threw up his hands. Both teams moved toward the diamond to shake hands.

Due to travel constraints, Minnesota had to quit playing at 4:30 p.m. And that’s where the clock was when Minnesota began its rally. So officially, the eighth inning hits never happened and the game reverted back to the seventh inning for its end point.

Golden Gophers coach John Anderson said he knew before the game the time limit would hit at 4:30. Minnesota hurriedly left the stadium so it could make a 6:40 night flight back home to Minneapolis.

“It wouldn’t have been fair if we had scored a couple of runs there because we have to leave right now,’’ Anderson said as he packed his duffel bag. “What are going to do? We’ve got a flight. We can’t miss our flight. It was a great ballgame. It would’ve been fun to see the finish.’‘

USF coach Lelo Prado wasn’t complaining after seeing his team move to 3-0.

“We’ve had plenty of bad breaks, so I guess this is a good break,’’ Prado said. “That’s a class move by their coach. They had to catch their flight, so they were stuck.

“It stinks for them because they had a rally going. But we got behind in time and that first game (Purdue 15, Notre Dame 8) ran a little long.’‘

USF and Purdue were the only teams to finish 3-0 in the three-day event.

The Bulls never trailed, getting a two-run double from Todd Brazeal, plus RBI singles from Daniel Rockwald and Blake Sydeski.

But the biggest story was pitching. Senior left-hander Andrew Barbosa saw his first action after missing most of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Barbosa pitched into the third inning, striking out three and walking two before being lifted (after 41 pitches) by USF pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.

Meanwhile, senior right-hander Derrick Stultz, who missed all of last season with injury, followed Barbosa. Stultz worked 2 2/3 innings and struck out four batters.

“It has been a long time away,’’ Stultz said. “I felt like I was a freshman. I had freshman nerves out there. But I calmed down. I think we’re going to do really well this season. We have a fantastic team. I think we’re going to go far.’‘

The Bulls already have far surpassed last season’s slumbering start (1-5), a point that greatly encouraged Prado.

“It’s a great start,’’ Prado said. “Now we’ve got to get better. We’ve got to clean up some stuff we’re doing wrong. As long as that pitching staff keeps pitching, we’ve got a shot.’‘

 

   

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Bulls win on walk-off HR

Posted Feb 18, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 18, 2012 at 10:53 PM

CLEARWATER—Andrew Longley’s one-out, walk-off home run in the ninth inning lifted the University of South Florida Bulls past Michigan State 2-1 on Saturday in the Big East-Big Ten Baseball Challenge at Jack Russell Stadium. The Bulls (2-0) will face Minnesota (1-1) in a 1 p.m. game on Sunday afternoon at Al Lang Field. USF is scheduled to start ace left-hander Andrew Barbosa, who will make his first apperance after missing most of last season due to Tommy John surgery.

The Big Ten’s Golden Gophers upended Louisville 7-1 in a rain-shortened game, then lost against St. John’s 6-1.

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Bulls capture baseball opener

Posted Feb 17, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated Feb 17, 2012 at 08:01 PM

ST. PETERSBURG—The University of South Florida Bulls defeated Ohio State 5-3 in Friday’s baseball season opener, capturing the first game of the Big Ten-Big East Challenge at the Walter Fuller Baseball Complex.

It was a fine outing for two players returning from injuries. Todd Brazeal, coming off ACL surgery, went 4-for-4. Meanwhile, closer Ray Delphey, pitching for the first time since 2010, worked a scoreless ninth inning. He dropped in a wicked curve ball for a game-ending strikeout when the Buckeyes had the tying runs in scoring position. USF reliever Nick Gonzalez also boosted the effort with 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

Interesting twist: USF’s Daniel Rockhold wore uniform No. 63 in honor of the late Lee Roy Selmon, the former USF athletic director who died on Sept. 4. Each game, a USF baseball player will wear No. 63 to honor Selmon.

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Hillsborough’s Harris receives USF offer

Posted Feb 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 14, 2012 at 07:17 PM

Hillsborough junior linebacker Nigel Harris received his first scholarship offer from one of the state’s top Division I football programs Tuesday when the University of South Florida made a pitch for the versatile Terriers athlete, coach Earl Garcia said.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Harris was Hillsborough’s No. 2 tackler last season with 89 and also recorded one sack and two fumble recoveries. He also saw regular action at running back and was the Terriers’ punter, averaging a solid 37.15 yards per kick.

Harris, an honors student at Hillsborough, also have offers from Purdue, Alabama-Birmigham and Vanderbilt. He suffered a broken collar bone in Hillsborough’s final game of the 2011 campaign, a playoff loss to Armwood, but has made a complete recovery.

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USF makes offer to TC’s Martinez

Posted Feb 13, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 13, 2012 at 03:14 PM

Tampa Catholic sophomore offensive lineman Corey Martinez, who is already a two-year starter for the Crusaders, received his first scholarship offer this weekend with a pitch from the local Division-I school, the University of South Florida.

Crusaders coach Bob Henriquez says offers to sophomores are relatively unofficial due to the fact the player’s senior year is so distant. But the offer from USF is significant for the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Martinez is significant in that it’s his first.

Martinez has received interest from several other major programs, including Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Mississippi State and Stanford.

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