BACK UP THE BRINK’S

USF fans revel in the defeat of the Gators in the Swamp on Saturday night.

Written by Chris McLean

Alex Golesh got to the University of South Florida one year after Billy Napier was hired to coach the Florida Gators. But last night proved it's patently clear that Golesh is a better coach than Napier. No question.

They both have put together tremendous rosters: Golesh has been utilizing both the transfer portal and traditional high school recruiting; Napier seemingly relies heavily on highly rated high schoolers. Also, they have preached culture building as the bedrock for their foundations.

But three and four years into their respective tenures at their current schools, Golesh looks poised to lead his team to the CFP, while Billy might be heading to the unemployment line.

Saturday, Napier was able to get his offense to march down the field on several drives, getting the Gators in striking distance quite a few times. But an inability to convert 3rd downs (4/12), an unwillingness to go for it on 4th downs, and untimely & unseemly penalties, thwarted them from getting more than just the one touchdown to Eugene "Tre" Wilson. Sprinkle in several drops by Gator receivers and the offense was at peak flustering.

On the other sideline, Golesh kept his team in the game, even though there were long stretches where Florida's defense wouldn't budge.

He kept his cool along with quarterback Byrum Brown. As the game kept echoing on, the bullief started to spread to fans in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Byrum hit Keshaun Singleton for a huge touchdown, which would be the Bulls' only one for the day. USF was up 6. The excitement began to build.

Napier would coordinate a score to get back on top after a spectacular punt return by Vernell Brown III. But the ensuing drives were sluggish. And when faced with a crucial third down, Billy called a perfect play, yet the execution by Brown was anything but.

And this is where Golesh cashed in on his house money. And where Billy might have sealed his fate.

Needing to drive to get in kicker Nico Gramatica's range, the Bulls were seemingly stymied on the first two plays. However, the Gators committed defensive pass interference and unsportsmanlike penalties on back-to-back plays, putting the Bulls that much closer to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Now both teams committed several penalties, 9 for USF and 11 for UF, but the timing of the Gators' penalties were so utterly demoralizing. From multiple touchdowns called back to the back breakers on the penultimate drive, Florida couldn't build on their zero penalty effort in week 1.

Golesh and Napier are of similar age. Both found success on the offensive side of the ball. Both are trying to build programs that compete for college football playoff spots year in and year out.

But it just feels like Golesh is the better of the two.

From bullish 4th down attempts in his first two years to the ballsy fake punt against Boise St. that spurned them onto victory, Golesh is pushing the right buttons at the right time.

Billy just seems like he is always one step forward followed by two steps back.

And USF should take note. With their on campus stadium set to debut in less than two years and a potential move to a larger conference looming large, they need to continue this upward trajectory. Without a solid leader at the helm of the football program they could falter. They need to lock in Golesh and lock him now.

Schools like Florida drool at the prospect of brash young offensively gifted head coaches. The USF brass need to move post haste to cement their immediate future.

Lest the last two decades of mostly futility will go in vain.

USF head coach Alex Golesh celebrates his biggest win yet.