[stextbox id=”custom”]  It’s official. Skip Holtz is the new South Florida football coach, leaving East Carolina. That’s going to create a bitter rivalry if and when East Carolina ever joins the Big East Conference. ECU fans take their football seriously and their school must be considered a viable candidate when conference expansion talk heats up again.

The question that only a football coach in this position can answer is how one could leave a program so abruptly, harming his former school’s recruiting efforts and insulting the players left behind. Coaches demand trust and respect … for what? Most make a mad rush for the door when more lucrative opportunities arise.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

7 thoughts on “Skip Holtz To South Florida”
  1. Here is a an old quote from my HS Coach who coached State Champions at 2 different schools and coached the winning game with KY v. Tenn. All-Stars the year Couch
    played – “This guns for hire” :]

    And I would say warm weather, family and BCS weighed in the decision too

  2. As we all know, FBS BCS D-I football is BIG BUSINESS, and coaching is just like any other job.

    Who does not like getting promoted for their hard work and effort?

    Like CRP leaving UK for $70M, and CBP leaving UofL for $70M, I do not blame them.

    Even coaches will leave their Alma mater even like Coach Rod from WVU. Look at that piece of shit Kelly, who left his kids BEFORE a BCS bowl………

    It is all about money and power now. Period.

    But not all coaches are like that. There are a few rogues, like Bowden and Paterno who have integrity, and football to them is not about money; it is about the love of the game, the love of the school, and the kids you love.

    Just sucks the kids are the ones that ultimately suffer, when coaches make these sporadic moves practically overnight.

  3. Sonja, it was not about CUSA vs BE. Holtz turned down Syracuse in 2008 and Cincy, the undefeated BE champ, last month. Holtz always spoke about the Pirate family, but an opportunity presented itself for Skip to improve his. He had the chance to take a job and be near his parents and her parents, both near Tampa. Good luck to Skip.

    1. Dan, that helps to clarify the current situation, well done. But it doesn’t change the basic premise about football coaches in general. Thanks for your perspective.

    2. And they have a pirate ship in one of the endzones where USF and Tampa Bay plays…

      Still backing Sonja’s notion that it was an upgrade for Holtz. Honestly, I can’t blame him for not wanting to go to Syracuse…as you mentioned.

      UC, on the other hand, intrigues me. I did not know he was a candidate for that job. If he was, I wonder how strong a candidate he was? Don’t remember seeing him as the frontrunner for the open slot.

      Best of luck to Skip. This is a tough gig in replacing the only head football coach the program has ever known since they went to D1 ball. At least he’ll have a top notch QB in B.J. Daniels to work around. I’m glad he’s near his and his wife’s parents. He may need that family support for a year or two.

  4. It’s a matter of Big East vs, C-USA. Holtz made a career move. With the possible addition of football school to the Big East anyone’s guess, I can’t blame Holtz for selecting the upgrade. I’d love to see ECU as a conference member in the Big East. If and when that might happen is anyone’s guess.

    But, it’s obviously going to upset a ton a ECU fans and they’ve been great contributors over here at Card Game.

    Would love to hear some of their opinions on Lou’s son’s decision.

  5. When it comes to changing jobs basketball coaches can be considered to be whoxxs. Football coaches actually are two bit crack whoxxs.

    And part of that is football coaches on average are paid more and another part is the timing of the end of the football season and the signing period. The NCAA deserves part of the blame for not moving the signing period back until March or April.

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