USF ANNOUNCES HIRING OF DJ PORTER AS NEXT HEAD COACH
FORMER OC LANDS FIRST HC JOB AFTER HISTORIC TWO YEARS AT DELAWARE
After guiding Delaware to a meteoric rise in its first two seasons at the FBS level, former Blue Hens offensive coordinator DJ Porter has officially been named the new head football coach at the University of South Florida. Porter takes over for Alex Golesh, who departed earlier this month to accept the head coaching position at Purdue.
The announcement marks a major milestone in Porter’s rapid ascent through the coaching ranks. Just two seasons ago, he was calling plays for a Delaware program making the jump from the FCS to Conference USA, a transition that many expected to take years to stabilize. Instead, Porter’s offensive system became the engine behind one of college football’s most surprising success stories.
Under his direction, the Blue Hens went 23–4 across two seasons, capturing a CUSA Championship and earning the school’s first-ever College Football Playoff berth in 2026. Delaware’s balanced, explosive attack ranked among the nation’s most efficient, blending physical running with creative passing concepts that kept defenses guessing.
Former Delaware head coach Ryan Carty, who worked closely with Porter before stepping away from the program, offered nothing but praise for his protégé.
“DJ was the heartbeat of what we built at Delaware,” Carty said. “His preparation, his attention to detail, and his connection with players are second to none. USF just got a coach who understands how to build a culture from the ground up.”
Tony Sanchez, the current Delaware head coach, echoed those sentiments.
“He’s got the right mix of confidence and humility,” Sanchez said. “DJ is one of those guys who elevates everyone around him. Our success wasn’t an accident, it was a reflection of his leadership. I have no doubt he’s going to do big things in Tampa.”
For Porter, the move to South Florida represents both an opportunity and a challenge. The Bulls finished 5–7 last season but showed flashes of promise in conference play. With a strong recruiting base in the Sunshine State and a very young roster, Porter arrives eager to harness that potential.
“This is a special place,” Porter said during his introductory press conference. “The energy around this program, the city, the alumni, it all feels like the right fit. I’m grateful for the trust South Florida has placed in me, and I’m ready to get to work. We’re going to build something exciting here, and we’re going to do it the right way.”
Porter inherits a team looking to make the next step in the American Athletic Conference, and if his track record at Delaware is any indication, Bulls fans won’t have to wait long to see results.
“We’ll play fast, we’ll play tough, and we’ll play together,” Porter said with a smile. “That’s who we’re going to be.”
Porter reportedly interviewed for OC positions at Appalachian State and Marshall and was briefly in talks with Syracuse for their head coaching vacancy.
