Holtz lauds Bulls seniors’ tenacity

TAMPA — USF’s seniors have their final practice as Bulls today in preparation for Saturday’s home finale against Pittsburgh. Despite the frustration of eight losses in the last nine games, Skip Holtz said he’s been consistently impressed by his seniors’ attitudes in practice.

“I keep talking about the love I have for thembecause of the quality people they are, the togetherness that they have,” Holtz said after Wednesday’s practice. “The way they’re embracing this week has really been a positive thing. It’s been neat to watch transpire from a togetherness standpoint. ... There’s just a lot of hope on that football team.”

Holtz said his seniors have kept the team together and positive, and his only other experience with such sustained adversity was going 0-11 on his father’s coaching staff at South Carolina in 1999. The next year, the Gamecocks won eight games and played in the Outback Bowl. There has been continued public criticism of Holtz as the losses mount, and USF athletics director Doug Woolard has said he won’t publicly address the coaching situation until after the season is completed, though it looks like Holtz will be back for another season. Asked about the slew of firings across college football, including some coaches coming off winning seasons, Holtz said every coaching situation is unique.

“Every place is different,” Holtz said. “It’s hardfor meto comment on other schools. I don’t know the health of the program. It’s not always in wins and losses that you can see success or failure.”