chris mack has been named the next head coach of the University of South Florida men’s basketball program, a move announced by USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins. The appointment makes chris mack the 13th head coach in the Bulls’ program history, placing a nationally recognized, tournament-tested leader in charge in Tampa. The hiring was confirmed at 11: 00 a. m. ET on March 10, 2023.
Hiring confirmed by USF Athletics leadership
Rob Higgins, CEO of Athletics at the University of South Florida, said the program is building on “incredible momentum” and framed the coaching change as a push to elevate Bulls basketball “to the next level. ” Higgins emphasized that chris mack brings “elite experience in roster building through the portal and transforming programs in a short time frame, ” adding that USF is welcoming Mack and his family to “Bulls Nation. ”
USF’s announcement also placed the move in the broader department picture, referencing “Chris and Kristy (Curry) leading our men’s and women’s programs, ” and predicting the atmosphere around the Yuengling Center will be “rocking and poised for an incredibly bright future. ”
Chris Mack track record: wins, NCAA Tournament runs, and awards
USF outlined a career résumé that spans 15 seasons as a head coach and a 323-153 (. 679) record, with stops at Xavier (2009-18), Louisville (2018-22), and the College of Charleston (2024-26). The university said Mack led teams to 12 seasons of 20 or more wins and nine NCAA Tournament appearances, going 11-9 in those NCAA Tournament games, including four Sweet 16 trips and one Elite Eight appearance with Xavier.
Among the milestones highlighted by the university: teams coached by Mack achieved a No. 1 Poll ranking at Louisville and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament at Xavier. USF also noted that Mack is one of 19 coaches in college basketball history to lead their team to a No. 1 ranking within the first two years at their school.
On individual honors, the university said Mack won the 2016 Henry Iba Award as the national coach of the year selected by the United States Basketball Writers Association. USF also listed conference coach of the year recognitions—2018 Big East Coach of the Year and 2011 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year—along with three conference regular-season championships and the 2011 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award.
Immediate reactions: Higgins and Chris Mack speak
“Bulls basketball has incredible momentum, and we’ve found an outstanding coach and leader to elevate our program to the next level, ” Rob Higgins, CEO of Athletics at the University of South Florida, said. Higgins pointed directly to the consistency of Mack’s results, stressing his 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament history as proof points for the hire.
chris mack, in his own statement, called the position “an opportunity to lead a South Florida basketball program that’s on an exceptional trajectory. ” He said he is joining “a university and athletic department defined by strong leadership, shared aspirations, and tremendous alignment, ” and he cited the “exceptional vision and commitment” Higgins outlined.
Mack added he is eager to connect with “Bulls Nation, ” students in “the SoFlo Rodeo, ” and fans who make the Yuengling Center a special home court.
Quick context
USF announced the hire after Mack spent two seasons at the College of Charleston, where the university said he posted 24-9 (13-5 Coastal Athletic Association) in his first year and 21-11 (14-4 CAA) in the 2025-26 season.
What’s next
USF’s focus now turns to integrating chris mack into the program’s day-to-day operation in Tampa, with the athletic department signaling urgency around roster construction and rapid program-building. Mack’s first public-facing priorities, as stated, will be engaging the campus base and the Yuengling Center crowd, while USF leadership positions the hire as a springboard for the next phase of Bulls basketball.
