USF Bulls Welcome Chris Mack: A Latest Era for Tampa Bay Basketball
TAMPA, MARCH 25, 2026 – The University of South Florida (USF) has named Chris Mack as its 13th head coach for the men’s basketball program. Mack, a veteran coach with a proven track record of success, arrives in Tampa following two seasons at the College of Charleston.
From Xavier to Tampa: A Coaching Journey
Chris Mack brings a wealth of experience to USF, boasting a career record of 323-153 (.679) across 15 seasons. He previously led Xavier University (2009-2018) and the University of Louisville (2018-2022) to NCAA Tournament appearances. At Charleston, he compiled a 45-20 record, including a 21-11 mark in the 2025-26 season.
Mack’s resume includes 12 seasons with 20 or more wins and nine NCAA Tournament berths, achieving an 11-9 record in tournament play. He guided Xavier to four Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite Eight run in 2017. His teams have also earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and achieved a No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press Poll while at Louisville.
A Program on the Rise: Building on Recent Success
The hiring follows the departure of Bryan Hodgson, who led the Bulls to a 25-9 record, an American Conference regular-season and tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament berth. USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins emphasized that preparations for a potential coaching change were already underway, highlighting the university’s proactive approach to maintaining momentum.
Higgins stated Mack’s experience in roster building through the transfer portal and transforming programs quickly will be invaluable. He also noted the exciting future for Tampa Bay basketball with both the men’s and women’s programs led by strong coaches – Mack and Kristy Curry.
Mack’s Accolades and Coaching Philosophy
Mack’s coaching achievements include being named the 2016 Henry Iba Award winner as national coach of the year. He has also earned Big East Coach of the Year (2018) and Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (2011) honors. He was also recognized with the 2011 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, acknowledging his integrity both on and off the court.
“Bulls basketball has incredible momentum, and we’ve found an outstanding coach and leader to elevate our program to the next level,” Higgins said in a press release.
Mack expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “I am truly excited to lead a South Florida basketball program that’s on an exceptional trajectory.”
USF Athletics: A Growing Force
USF Athletics sponsors 21 varsity teams, with 20 competing at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The program is celebrating its 60th season in 2025-26. Student-athletes have maintained a combined GPA of 3.0 or above for 22 consecutive semesters, and over 800 Bulls have earned their degrees since 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Chris Mack’s overall coaching record? Chris Mack has a career record of 323-153 (.679) as of March 25, 2026.
- Where did Chris Mack coach before USF? He was previously the head coach at the College of Charleston, Louisville, and Xavier.
- How many NCAA Tournament appearances has Chris Mack coached in? He has led teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, with an 11-9 record.
- What conference does USF play in? USF competes in the American Athletic Conference.
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