Sat Sep 13 15:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
USF’s football program, under coach Alex Golesh, is experiencing a resurgence, marked by significant wins against Boise State and Florida, leading to their first ranking since 2018. Golesh attributes much of this success to a philosophical approach and a strong foundation built on increased resources and a winning mentality. He also draws inspiration from his close friendship with the late USF basketball coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim, whose motto, “This ain’t the same ol’ South Florida, my brother!” has become a rallying cry for the team. Golesh honors Abdur-Rahim by displaying his initials on his headset and reflecting on the lessons learned from his friend, aiming to sustain the momentum despite the challenges ahead. The team’s success is fueled by player buy-in, increased resources, and a new on-campus stadium project, signaling a commitment from the university.
**News Article:**
**”This Ain’t the Same Ol’ South Florida!”: USF Bulls Roar Back into National Spotlight**
**TAMPA, Fla. –** The University of South Florida (USF) Bulls are turning heads and rewriting the narrative of their football program. Under the leadership of Coach Alex Golesh, the Bulls have stormed to a 2-0 start, highlighted by stunning victories against Boise State and, most notably, a historic win against the Florida Gators. These wins have catapulted USF into the national rankings for the first time since 2018 and have them in early contention for a Group of 5 bid to the College Football Playoff.
But for Golesh, this success is more than just wins and rankings. It’s a testament to a program transformed, deeply rooted in the memory of his close friend, the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who passed away last October. Abdur-Rahim’s mantra, “This ain’t the same ol’ South Florida, my brother!” now adorns Golesh’s headset as “AAR,” symbolizing the shared vision of building a winning culture.
“Amir used to always say, ‘They ain’t gonna believe until they see it,'” Golesh told ESPN. “I felt like, ‘All right. They believe.'”
Golesh, hired shortly after Abdur-Rahim, found a kindred spirit in the basketball coach. Both were tasked with elevating their respective programs from underachievers to contenders. Abdur-Rahim’s success at Kennesaw State served as a blueprint, and the two coaches quickly forged a close bond.
The turnaround at USF isn’t just about inspiration. It’s also about resources. Athletic Director Michael Kelly, before his departure for Navy, and the university committed to significant investments in the football program, including increased staff size, a larger assistant coach salary pool, improved recruiting budget, upgraded nutrition, strength, and conditioning programs. A new $349 million on-campus football stadium, slated to open in 2027, stands as a concrete symbol of this commitment.
“It just goes together with what we’re doing on the football field, building a foundation,” said quarterback Byrum Brown.
The players have fully embraced Golesh’s vision. Center Cole Best recalled Golesh asking the players for “a little blind faith,” which Best and others have readily given. Sixth-year linebacker Mac Harris, who experienced the program’s struggles firsthand, noted the shift in mindset.
“AG says it all the time, ‘leave no rock unturned,'” Harris said. “I think doing that each and every day… created an expectation to win.”
Despite the early success, Golesh remains grounded. “We haven’t arrived,” he cautioned. “We have two really good wins. We have another really good game, and then we’ve been really average in this conference for the last two years. We have so much left to do.”
As the Bulls prepare for a challenging matchup against No. 5 Miami, they carry with them not only the belief in their own abilities but also the enduring legacy of Amir Abdur-Rahim, reminding them that this is indeed, “ain’t the same ol’ South Florida.”
First Piper 