USF introduces new men’s head basketball coach Chris Mack

Every day guys.

If you want a glimpse into what USF men's basketball will look like under head coach Chris Mack, there's your first clue.

Every day guys.

"If you can't be an every day guy, you can't be a Bull,'' Mack said Tuesday, following his introduction as the 13th head coach in USF men's basketball history during a spirited gathering at the USF Alumni Center.

The resume of Mack, 56, screams success.

Mack is 323-153 over 15 head-coaching years at Xavier (2009-18), Louisville (2018-22) and his most recent stop, the College of Charleston (2024-26), where he was 45-20 in two seasons. He has 12 seasons of 20-plus victories and nine NCAA Tournament appearances (with an 11-9 record), including four Sweet 16 trips and one Elite Eight.

At Louisville, his Cardinals reached No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. At Xavier, his Musketeers were a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

"Chris Mack is the perfect leader for our next chapter,'' USF CEO of Athletics said. "He has not only been where we are going, but he has also won where we are going. He's ready to lead us there.

"Coach Mack has an incredible resume, but you can't teach his relationships, his resilience, his desire, his work ethic, his collaborative spirit. His preparation and execution around the transfer portal stands out. His deep relationships with his players stand out. His ability to bring an elite staff and build a roster really quickly stands out. In short, Chris Mack stands out.''

In Mack's estimation, his success has been built about his so-called "every day guys.''

Which means … what?

"Some of the best players I've ever coached are also the best people,'' Mack said. "I thrive with every day guys. That means they bring the same effort, the same attitude, the same energy, every single day. They may not bring the same result every day, but they're going to bring the same effort, attitude and energy. You win with those types of guys all day, every day.''

Mack said his approach is based on teaching four principles:

* Physical and mental toughness.

* Resiliency ("The ability to bounce back when it doesn't go your way … when it goes poorly for our guys in a game or a practice, they're going to dust themselves off, get back up and compete").

* A unified front ("Basketball is a team game … they're going to share the ball, work together and glorify their teammates").

* Bringing energy every day ("How can you not bring energy and passion at this level, at this university ? If you're an everyday guy, that's what you're going to bring to that South Florida uniform").

Mack's "every day guys'' will also provide versatile physical skills and mental positivity.

"There's a term we use in basketball - 'dawgs' - and we need some dawgs,'' said Mack, who added he has met with every potentially returning USF player while also preparing feverishly for Tuesday's opening of the transfer portal. "I love guys who can shoot, pass and dribble. The more skill that we have on the floor at all five positions, the better. We're going to do whatever it takes to win, but we need guys who can pass, shoot and dribble. We'll teach our defense from there.

"If you're having a bad day, you have to separate that stuff (from basketball activities). When you walk between the lines of practice, you've got to be the same guy with the same pop, the same energy. I think that's the way you're successful in life. If you have the negative attitude that you're a victim, that everything's happening against you … we can't have that. We emphasize (a positive attitude), mentor it and have guys on my staff that live it every day.''

All of that mirrors the philosophy of Higgins.

"I think we're cut from the same cloth, the same way as Brian Hartline (USF football head coach), the same way as Kristy Curry (USF women's basketball head coach),'' Higgins said. "We have this mentality that you get what you work for and not what you wish for.

"It's great to have big dreams, but you better be able to put the work in to make them happen. I saw him (Mack) early this morning, well before the sun came up, in his office watching tape and preparing for what our next roster will look like. It really warmed my heart because that's exactly the way that we do it. He was in there late at night as well. Grinders end up getting to really special levels, and that's what it's going to take.''

Beyond the hard work, Mack said USF men's basketball is well-positioned for prosperity in the modern landscape of college athletics.

"The commitment level here at USF, I think it's national news,'' Mack said. "The fact that it's a fully funded revenue-sharing program with a forward-thinking CEO of Athletics (Higgins) is way different (than other places). Rob has done it at the highest level with the biggest sporting events in the world. He understands what professional sports look like, and he understands the crossover between what amateur athletics was and what it's becoming. Who wouldn't want a person like that?

"There's so much to love about the region, the history, the resources, the facilities. With the recent success of USF men's basketball, you can't do that in today's day and age without (the support of your) administration. I'm excited we have that. I wouldn't have come here if I didn't feel like we had everything in place to be successful.''

USF's recent men's basketball trajectory began in 2023-24, when Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim guided a 25-8 team that won the American Conference regular-season title, a first in the program's history. After Abdur-Rahim's tragic death on Oct. 24, 2024, the Bulls regrouped under Coach Bryan Hodgson for the 2025-26 season, which produced a 25-9 mark, American Conference regular-season and conference tournament titles, along with the program's fourth NCAA Tournament bid.

Through that success, there has been trauma and constant change.

"A lot has been made about five (men's basketball) coaches in five years,'' Mack said. "We all know that a big part of that was an unbelievable tragedy. You all (at USF) lived that. But amazing coaches like Amir Abdur-Rahim and Bryan Hodgson brought a great spotlight to this program and to this university.

"That light is about to get a whole lot brighter. You ain't seen nothing yet. Bulls fans, buckle up!''

-#GoBulls-