Texas says no thanks to USF series, opts out of 2-for-1 deal in favor of expensive home game in Austin

By Bryan FischerMay 10, 2019, 4:29 PM EDT

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte sure has been busy on the scheduling front heading into the weekend.

Earlier on Friday the Longhorns announced that they had scheduled two big time home-and-home series with Florida and Arizona State plus a host of other scheduling related matters. One of those items tucked into the bottom of the release was a note about changing their previous 2-for-1 series with South Florida to a one-off game with the Bulls for next season on Sept. 5, 2020.

So while the ‘Charlie Strong Bowl’ — for the former UT/current USF head coach — is still on, it’s a modified version. And an expensive one at that for Texas.

Per the Tampa Bay Times, the Longhorns backing out of the original deal will result in a one-time guaranteed payment to USF for some $1.9 million for their visit to Austin. That may not be quite as fun for some fans of the Bulls but it does help the athletic department coffers by a significant sum.

“We’re disappointed to not have the game here,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly told the paper, “but feel that we’ve negotiated a good compromise.”

The news leaves South Florida with a single non-conference opening in 2020, 2022 and 2024. That might not be the end of the world considering the program is already set to have road trips to both Florida and Louisville in 2022 while hosting two ACC foes in the Cardinals and N.C. State in 2024. Still, missing out on a marquee blueblood coming to town is bound to sting a little even if the schedule is allowed to be a little lighter down the road.

Former Navy coach Niumatalolo joins UCLA staff

Associated PressMar 31, 2023, 6:34 PM EDT

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LOS ANGELES – Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is joining UCLA’s coaching staff as director of leadership.

The school said in an announcement Friday that Niumatalolo will serve as an advisor to the Bruins’ football staff and players.

Niumatalolo led Navy for 15 years and was the winningest coach in school history at 109-83. The Midshipmen, however, finished with losing records the past three seasons, including 4-8 the past two.

Navy played in 10 bowl games under Niumatalolo. He also was the only coach to win his first eight games in the storied Army-Navy rivalry.

Troy, Jon Sumrall agree to new 4-year contract through 2026

Associated PressMar 27, 2023, 8:45 PM EDT

Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports

TROY, Ala. ⁠— Jon Sumrall agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season.

The school announced the deal, which runs through 2026, but didn’t release details.

The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national champion Georgia, including the league championship game and the Cure Bowl against UTSA. For the first time, they finished a season ranked, ending up 19th in The Associated Press Top 25.

“When we appointed Coach Sumrall in December 2021, we challenged him to return Troy football to the top of the Sun Belt Conference,” Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. said. “It didn’t take long, as the 2022 season was the best in our FBS history.”

Troy held all 14 of its opponents to under their season average in scoring, beating UTSA 18-12. The Trojans beat Coastal Carolina 45-26 in the Sun Belt title game.

“Last year was an amazing accomplishment for everyone associated with Troy football and was the product of relentless effort from our players and staff, athletic administration and university leaders,” Sumrall said.