Sports
‘They believe’: South Florida’s hot start is no fluke
TAMPA, Fla. — USF coach Alex Golesh repeated the same thing after both of his team’s first two wins — a stunning blowout in the season opener against Boise State, and another shocker last weekend against Florida — “This ain’t the same ol’ South Florida, my brother!”
The 2-0 Bulls are ranked for the first time since 2018, notched the first win in school history over the Gators and are an early favorite to win the Group of 5 automatic berth into the College Football Playoff.
But there is more meaning behind those words, more than just a statement about big nonconference wins. Those nine words are a nod to one of Golesh’s close friends.
On the side of his headset, Golesh has the initials AAR, for the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim.
Golesh and Abdur-Rahim were hired within three months of each other, similar coaches with similar beliefs, tasked with the same goal: Get USF to shed its underachiever status. Abdur-Rahim had done it at his previous stop at Kennesaw State, developing the Owls from being a one-win team to reaching the NCAA tournament.
Golesh had inherited a one-win football program and looked to Abdur-Rahim for advice. A few days after Abdur-Rahim was hired, Golesh went to see him in his office.
“They had literally just done at Kennesaw what we were trying to do, build it the right way,” Golesh said.
The two hit it off immediately. Their kids went to the same schools. Their wives became friends. That first spring they were together, in 2023, Abdur-Rahim would come out to practice and quickly became a fixture around the football program.
He would text Golesh after games that first season and offered his thoughts on a four-year plan for success. Golesh and his son, Barrett, would go to basketball games as Abdur-Rahim led USF to its best season ever in 2023-24, winning its first conference title and a school-record 25 games. It was during that run that Abdur-Rahim went viral for saying, “This ain’t the same ol’ South Florida, my brother!”
As the Bulls finished off their 34-7 win over Boise State on Aug. 28, Golesh felt a presence around him. He thought back to what Abdur-Rahim told him from the very beginning: Year 3 is when the players stop hoping they can win. Now, they start believing they can win.
“Amir used to always say, ‘They ain’t gonna believe until they see it,” Golesh told ESPN. “I felt like, ‘All right. They believe.'”
That belief is why USF is 2-0. The question is: How did Golesh get them to believe?
When Golesh met with then-USF athletic director Michael Kelly to discuss the open head coaching job in December 2022, he had questions. USF had moments of success in its short football history — including back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017 — but its more recent record was abysmal. The Bulls finished 2022 with a 1-11 record and four total victories over a three-year span. And the program had never won a conference title.
Golesh wanted to know right away — Would USF provide the resources required to win? Would they give him time to turn the program around? The answer to both was a resounding yes.
“His experience at other places showed what he felt he needed,” Kelly told ESPN. “I never felt it was unreasonable. It was just, ‘This is the way it is if we’re going to win this league.'”
Kelly said the staff size increased, and an additional $1.5 million was added to the assistant coach salary pool. The recruiting budget increased. Golesh also had the entire nutrition, strength and conditioning program and athletic training staff revamped.
Under the previous staff, for example, players got breakfast and lunch but no dinner at the facility. But now, they get three meals a day and have access to a nutrition bar in the weight room. Plus, there are fully stocked mini-fridges and snack baskets in every team meeting room.
There was no bigger sign of commitment to football than the approval of an on-campus $349 million football stadium, set to open in 2027, an idea that had been decades in the making. Most days, USF players practice to the sound of steel pillars going into the ground, just beyond the practice fields.
“It just goes together with what we’re doing on the football field, building a foundation,” quarterback Byrum Brown says. “We put the dirt down. We’re putting up poles. We’re seeing what this program can really be for years to come.”
Resources are one thing. Buy-in and belief are another. Center Cole Best remembers a meeting Golesh had with returning players during his second day on the job.
“He said, ‘I just need a little blind faith,'” Best said. “And I said, ‘I’m going to give it to him, and I’m going to buy into whatever this is. It was difficult at times, but I knew within his first couple of days here that, ‘This is the guy.'”
Sixth-year linebacker Mac Harris, who was on those three USF teams that won four total games before Golesh arrived, said those teams often found ways to cut corners, or avoided doing what was hard and uncomfortable.
Golesh’s Bulls don’t take the easy way out.
“AG says it all the time, leave no rock unturned. Check every detail, go through every obstacle you have to go through the right way,” Harris says. “Some people call them cliches, but they mean something, and they hold weight. I think doing that each and every day, and holding your teammates accountable to it, and them holding you accountable to it, created an expectation to win.”
In his first season as head coach, USF went 7-6, the second-best win improvement among all FBS programs in 2023. Then last season, USF showed glimpses of its potential, playing Alabama close for three quarters before losing, and then playing Miami close for a half before losing. Brown missed the final seven games of the season with a lower leg injury and USF still finished 7-6 and made it to another bowl game.
With a healthy Brown and 15 other starters back, Golesh and his team felt optimistic about the possibilities for this season.
Yes, the start to the 2025 season came up during his job interview, as Golesh was looking at future schedules with Kelly. He looked down and saw a three-game nonconference doozy: Boise State, at Florida, at Miami. There was initial skepticism. Not because Golesh wanted to shy away from playing those teams. But playing all three in a row, in the same season, seemed, well, “kinda crazy.”
“The initial conversation was, ‘We’ll handle that as we get there, but it won’t look like that,” Golesh said. “We got to last January, and it still looked like that, and I’m like, ‘You know what? Let’s go play them.”
Last June, when Kelly was getting ready to leave USF to take the athletic director job at Navy, Golesh told him, “We’re going to go win those games, and you’re going to tell me, ‘I told you so.'”
If the win over Boise State had people across the country take notice, the win over Florida legitimized USF in a bigger way. For decades, there has been the “Big Three” in the state of Florida: Miami, Florida State and Florida. UCF made it into a Power 4 conference when it joined the Big 12, leaving USF fighting for national relevance in the Group of 5.
That helps explain why Golesh had 500 text messages waiting for him after the 18-16 come-from-behind win over the Gators.
Best said he had eight former teammates call him after that win to congratulate him. “It brings tears to my eyes,” Best says. “I took a step back and let it all soak in. It hasn’t been easy. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and to see it pay off, it just means the world.”
The process is the process, so there was no time this week for USF to celebrate a 2-0 start. Not with a trip to No. 5 Miami on deck. Golesh came into the office last Sunday and says he “ripped apart” the game tape with his staff.
“We haven’t arrived,” Golesh says. “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 Amir used to say, ‘Headphones on. Hear nothing.”
There is a sadness in his voice as he recalls those conversations with Abdur-Rahim. They were supposed to be doing this together, celebrating each other’s wins as if they were their own. After Abdur-Rahim got sick last fall, he stopped coming around to practice but refused to tell Golesh what was wrong.
Then Golesh got a long text from Abdur-Rahim. He still has it saved in his phone. Abdur-Rahim wrote, in part, he was ready to fight what was ailing him, but seemed unsure whether doctors had any answers.
Abdur-Rahim died Oct. 24, 2024, at age 43, from complications that arose during a medical procedure related to his undisclosed illness. The loss was felt across the entire USF community, including the football team. As a lasting tribute to his friend, Golesh had a picture of Abdur-Rahim speaking to the team one day at practice enlarged and placed in the hallway of the football facility.
“Coach Golesh giving us a reminder of what a great human being he was, and what a great coach he was, and the lessons and advice that he instilled in us, it means a lot,” Brown says.
Golesh may not have responded to every single one of the hundreds of text messages he has received over the past two weeks. But there are two that he will never forget. Arianne Abdur-Rahim, Amir’s widow, texted Golesh after the Boise State win and again after the Florida win.
“Amir is looking out for you.”
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LEEDS, England — Whatever fate awaits Arsenal in this Premier League title race, they are determined to do it their way. Much of the fallout from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United centered on suggestions the Gunners have to do something different from here to win their first league crown since 2004.
Mikel Arteta spoke of a clear-the-air meeting a day later in which they vowed to “live and play with enjoyment … courage … and conviction they are going to win it.”
Dropping captain Martin Ødegaard against Leeds hinted at something different. But in the end, they thrashed Leeds United 4-0 on Saturday with a performance that was quintessentially Arteta’s Arsenal.
One goal from a recycled corner, another direct from a corner, a Viktor Gyökeres close-range finish and substitute Gabriel Jesus‘ late strike secured a win that extends their lead at the top of the table back to seven points.
It wasn’t necessarily “fun” — the football was one again formulaic — but it was Arsenal at their effective best. They strangled the life out of Leeds and their vociferous Elland Road crowd with a level of control they only momentarily threatened to relinquish as the home side tried to rouse themselves early in the second half.
There was courage on display, and they certainly had conviction. But significantly, this was Arsenal being Arsenal. There was no timidity or self-doubt. This is how Arteta believes Arsenal can win the league: Dominate possession and territory, extract an advantage from set pieces and send on the “finishers” to complete the job.
The combination was a hugely impressive response to their winless three-game run. No wonder Arteta was delighted.
“The mentality is good,” Arteta said. “I mentioned it to you, to play with that level of enjoyment about where we are and then with the conviction to believe in what we do, how good we are and that we can beat any opponent.
“We certainly did that. And then you have to show the quality to do it in this league to prove it and it came out in great ways from different ways as well.”
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Arteta hails Madueke for performance after Saka’s warmup injury
Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds United, and the performance of Noni Madueke, a late addition to the starting lineup.
The first hour was the most fiercely contested part of this game, and during that period, Arsenal’s physical power and dead-ball prowess made the difference. Noni Madueke only started this game because Bukayo Saka suffered a hip injury in the warmup, but he was their most effective threat.
His 27th-minute corner was cleared, but Arsenal worked the ball back out to the England international, who produced a superb delivery which Martín Zubimendi glanced into the net.
The noise in this famous old ground rarely subsided in the opening 45 minutes, but there was an audible hush whenever Arsenal won a corner. Perhaps they knew what was coming.
The Gunners’ seventh corner of the half was whipped into the near post with such ferocity by Madueke that Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow could only rise above the gaggle of players in front of him and punch the ball into his own net.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke made a double change at the break and they began to enjoy more of the ball, but Ødegaard was excellent when he came on alongside Gabriel Martinelli after 61 minutes. His cute pass released Martinelli, who found a cross for Gyökeres to steer home on 69 minutes, snuffing out any hope of a Leeds comeback.
Jesus added a fourth four minutes from time, collecting Ødegaard’s pass and expertly working space for himself in the box before finishing low into the net.
Leeds ended with just three shots and an expected goals tally of 0.15 — the third-lowest figure of any team Arsenal have played across all competitions this season.
This defensive resilience was the foundation of their ascent to the top of the table in the first place and it returned emphatically here.
“[That control] is something that we want,” Arteta said. “You always have an opponent in front of you who is going to test that and you have to execute the actions and be very, very consistent if you don’t want to concede anything. Really impressive because it is a really tough team to do that and between all of us, we did it.”
Farke could not argue: “They were on it from the first to the last second. Whatever we did, they always had an answer. We were not really able to create chances.”
Arsenal’s attacking cohesion remains unconvincing. “Own goal” briefly drew level as their top scorer in the league this season before Gyökeres’ intervention put him clear on six. After wasting a glorious chance when clean through at 2-0, he continues to face a battle to justify his €63.5 million fee, but his goal will help.
Collectively, Arsenal recovered their power and poise to reassert themselves in the title race with Manchester City facing Tottenham and Aston Villa hosting Brentford on Sunday.
Arteta talked about “bringing the temperature down” in his meeting with the players Monday. But nothing will have done it like winning so emphatically as this, especially as they reinforced their own identity while doing so.
Over to you, City.
Liverpool could battle Chelsea in the race to land Rennes center back Jérémy Jacquet, while Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick wants forward Marcus Rashford to rejoin the club, after his loan at Barcelona. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
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TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool are set to battle Chelsea in the race to land Rennes center back Jérémy Jacquet, according TalkSPORT. Chelsea had already agreed personal terms with the 20-year-old defender earlier this month ahead of a move that could cost around €60 million at the end of the season, but Liverpool are now accelerating their plans after missing out on Marc Guéhi to Manchester City. Rennes are adamant that Jacquet won’t leave the club in January, so it’s down to the two English clubs to see who can thrash out a deal. But the Blues could miss out as Mamadou Sarr is set to return to the club and terminate his loan at Strasbourg, while Aaron Anselmino will head to the French side on loan instead.
– Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick wants forward Marcus Rashford to rejoin the club, after his loan at Barcelona, if he’s given the manager’s job on a permanent basis. The Telegraph says that United will bring Rashford, 28, back into the fold, even though Barcelona are ready to offer the €30 million option which would trigger negotiations over a permanent move to Camp Nou.
– Atletico Madrid are hoping to beat Fenerbahce to the signing of Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman after having matched the Turkish club’s bid of €35 million, plus €5 million in add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. Atleti look to have stolen a march on Fenerbahce, who are yet to agree terms or bank guarantees. The switch could have a ripple effect, as Lookman’s arrival could see Argentina striker Julián Álvarez move to Arsenal or Barcelona in the summer.
– Ivan Toney has turned down a move to Juventus, as wants to keep scoring goals in the Saudi Pro League to keep his World Cup dream alive, according to The Mirror. Juve boss Luciano Spalletti is keen to bring in a striker ahead of the transfer deadline in an effort to maintain his side’s run of eight wins in 11 games, and has turned to Toney following Tottenham’s refusal to end their loan of Randal Kolo Muani from PSG. However, 29-year-old Toney wants to stay where he feels is the best place to aid his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this summer.
– AC Milan and Crystal Palace have a deal in place over the transfer of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the move is being held up by the Eagles’ search for a replacement, according to The Times. Mateta, 28, is currently awaiting permission from the club to be able to fly to Milan. However, Palace are yet to rubber stamp the deal as they continue to look for reinforcements, which include Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
DONE DEALS
– Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin has terminated his contract with Liga MX side Club América and is now a free agent.
EXPERT TAKE
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OTHER RUMORS
– Joshua Zirkzee has long been linked with a move back to Serie A, but the Dutchman wants to stay and fight for his place under Carrick. (Sun)
– Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have both been offered the chance to sign Colombia striker Jhon Duran from Al Nassr, though he is currently on loan at Fenerbahce. (TEAMtalk)
– Real Madrid are considering Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as the next incumbent at the Bernabeu, despite the Spaniard signing a new contract at Villa Park until 2029. (Sun)
– Fulham have seen a £20 million bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock rejected. (TalkSPORT)
– Wolves have agreed a deal in principle to sign former Man United midfielder Angel Gomes from Marseille on loan. The Premier League side will part with €1 million, and can make the move permanent for €7 million. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Stuttgart continue to try and find a way to land goalkeeper Alexander Nubel from Bayern Munich, but the stumbling block is Bayern’s valuation of €30 million. Premier League clubs are also interested. (Ekrem Konur)
– Juventus have reached an agreement to sign 29-year-old winger Jeremie Boga in a deal that sees the Frenchman return to Italy for the first time since leaving Atalanta in 2023. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Chelsea plan to send defender Aaron Anselmino on loan to sister club Strasbourg after recalling him from his temporary switch to Borussia Dortmund. (Sun)
– Leicester City and Birmingham City are two of six Championship clubs interested in making a move for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles, 32. (Sky Sports)
– Chelsea are contemplating moves from Auxerre and Real Mallorca for defender David Datro Fofana. The two clubs are keen on a loan move with a permanent option. (L’Equipe)
– Everton and Sunderland are both making moves to land 19-year-old winger Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea. (Sky Sports)
– Napoli have expressed interest in Cagliari 26-year-old right back Gabriele Zappa. (Nicolo Schira)
– Bologna 35-year-old forward Ciro Immobile is contemplating a move to Paris FC, with the details of the move now awaiting to be finalized. (L’Equipe)
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