New coach will rely on depth at USF

Gerlufsen hopes Shabazz’s decision to return for one more season can help send Dons back to NCAA Tournament

Mere hours after the Dons’ season ended with a 92-87 overtime loss to Murray State in the NCAA Tournament in March, USF promoted Chris Gerlufsen from assistant coach to head coach. Gerlufsen replaced Todd Golden, who left the Hilltop to take over the Florida program.

Soon after Gerlufsen received the promotion, he faced this bit of reality: How will the Dons replace the production of guard Jamaree Bouyea and forward Yauhen Massalski, first-team All-WCC selections who combined to average 30.8 points, 14.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game last season?

“That was on my mind from the spring to the start of the season,” Gerlufsen said in a recent phone interview. “I think you do it in a couple of different ways.”

Gerlufsen listed those ways as a) improved play from returners such as guard Julian Rishwain and forwards Josh Kunen and Zane Meeks and b) the use of the transfer portal.

The Dons added guards Tyrell Roberts (Washington State) and Marcus Williams (Texas A&M), forward Toni Rocak (UC San Diego) and 7-foot-1 center Saba Gigiberia (Georgia Tech). All four figure to play significant roles.

“You’re never going to singularly replace a Jamaree or a Yauhen,” Gerlufsen said, “but I do think collectively … we have a chance to be a much (deeper) team than we were last year, which is exciting to me.”

Something else that excited Gerlufsen was guard Khalil Shabazz’s decision in May to return to the Hilltop for one more season.

“I’m pretty sure everyone in the building here could hear me scream when he told he was

staying,” Gerlufsen said.

A preseason All-WCC selection, Shabazz averaged 13.7 points per game last season. He brings speed and long-range shooting (making a team-leading 79 3-point shots last season) to the Dons. Gerlufsen appreciates Shabazz’s tangibles and intangibles.

Shabazz is “a guy who just knows me,” Gerlufsen said. “So, he’s a great connector from a coaching perspective because he can relay all that information to

our new guys. … He’s going to be really an extension of the coaching staff.”

Gerlufsen, 46, is a 1998 graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. He has spent more than two decades as an assistant coach, most recently at San Diego (2015-19), Hawaii (2019-21) and USF (last season).

At the outset of his stint with Hawaii, Gerlufsen served as the interim head coach with Eran Ganot out because of a health issue. Gerlufsen won eight of 13

games as the head coach, including an 85-75 victory over USF.

“I don’t wish that Eran Ganot had to go out on a medical leave,” Gerlufsen said, “but being afforded the opportunity to lead the program while he was out has been invaluable for me.”

The Dons’ NCAA Tournament appearance last season was their first since 1998. That success might have raised the expectations of USF fans.

“I would rather have it this way,” Gerlufsen said. “Last year

was a tremendous accomplishment. It was a long time coming and we finally got to taste what it was like to play in March. Once you have that taste in your mouth, you want to experience it again.”

USF opens its season against Texas Southern on the Hilltop on Monday night.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Chris Gerlufsen was promoted to head coach at USF in March, shortly after the Dons’ first March Madness appearance since 1998.