Scott gets 2-year contract extension

USF football coach Jeff Scott received a two-year contract extension that keeps him signed with the school through the 2026 season.

Scott, 41, signed a five-year deal worth $12.5 million when he took over the program in 2019. The Bulls are 3-18 in his two seasons, including 2-10 in 2021.

But it’s his recruiting efforts that have helped USF land the top transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports, with the additions of receivers Khafre Brown (North Carolina) and Ajou Ajou (Clemson), edge rusher Jatorian Hansford (Missouri) and safety Ray Thornton (Clemson).

Scott’s also been an integral part of the program’s fundraising efforts to help upgrade facilities, including the new Indoor Performance Facility, which is scheduled to open this year.

USF athletics director Michael Kelly threw his support behind Scott despite the struggles on the field.

“We still believe in Jeff very much,” Kelly told the Orlando Sentinel before the USF-UCF game on Nov. 26. “Except for maybe last week’s game when we didn’t play well at all [a 45-14 loss to Tulane], I think every game you’ve seen some progress and some improvement each step of the way. With the indoor facility that we’re building and the way recruiting is going, which we feel very positive about right now, I stand by what I said earlier: Our future is very bright.”

Scott’s extension was one of 14 handed out by Kelly, who believes continuity is critical for success.

“When I observe all of the recent turnovers in college sports and the frequent turnover in USF athletics historically, I believe that USF’s best path forward to success is through continuity and stability in as many leadership positions as possible,” Kelly said. “Attracting and maintaining head coaches that view USF as a destination job and who are fully committed to the vision we have for the next few years is critical.”