What Is 1998 South Florida Bulls football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 South Florida Bulls football team does not exist; the University of South Florida (USF) began its football program in 1997 and played its first season in 1998 as a Division I-AA (now FCS) independent. They finished the 1998 season with a 5–6 record under head coach Jim Leavitt.

Key Facts

USF played its inaugural season in 1997 with a 0–11 record
The 1998 season was USF's second year of football competition
Head coach Jim Leavitt led the team from its inception in 1997
USF finished the 1998 season with a 5–6 overall record
The team played as an NCAA Division I-AA independent with no conference affiliation

Overview

The University of South Florida (USF) launched its football program in 1997, marking the beginning of collegiate gridiron competition for the young university. The 1998 season was only the second in team history and represented a significant improvement over their winless inaugural campaign.

Competing as an independent at the NCAA Division I-AA level (now FCS), the 1998 South Florida Bulls—more accurately referred to as the South Florida Bulls or USF Bulls—played a challenging schedule against established programs. The team showed marked progress under first-year head coach Jim Leavitt, who was hired to build the program from scratch.

First season in 1997: The Bulls went 0–11 in their inaugural year, playing a rigorous schedule to gain exposure and experience at the collegiate level.
1998 record: USF improved to 5–6 in 1998, marking the first winning season in program history despite still being winless against Division I-A opponents.
Home games: The team played its home games at Tampa Stadium, a former NFL venue that provided a professional atmosphere despite the team's developmental status.
Division level: USF competed in Division I-AA (now FCS) as an independent, not affiliated with any conference during the 1998 season.
Head coach:Jim Leavitt was hired in 1996 to launch the program and remained head coach until 2009, becoming the foundational figure in USF football history.

How It Works

The structure of early USF football was designed to build competitiveness through exposure and incremental development, rather than immediate conference affiliation or scholarship parity.

Independent status:As an independent, USF scheduled games against a mix of I-AA and I-A teams to gain experience and national visibility without conference obligations.
Scholarship limits: The program operated under I-AA scholarship rules, allowing up to 63 athletic scholarships—far below the 85 allowed in I-A (FBS) at the time.
Recruiting strategy: USF focused on local Tampa Bay talent and overlooked prospects, building a roster primarily from Florida high schools and junior colleges.
Game scheduling: The 1998 Bulls played a 11-game schedule, including non-conference matchups against teams like Liberty, Elon, and Gardner-Webb.
Developmental timeline: USF planned a three-year transition to Division I-A, achieving FBS status by 2001 and joining Conference USA in 2003.
Facility use:Tampa Stadium served as the home field until 2000, when USF moved to on-campus Raymond James Stadium, shared with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 1998 South Florida Bulls compared to other programs in structure and performance:

Team	Division Level	Record (1998)	Conference	Head Coach
South Florida Bulls	I-AA (FCS)	5–6	Independent	Jim Leavitt
Florida Gators	I-A (FBS)	8–4	SEC	Steve Spurrier
Central Florida (UCF)	I-AA (FCS)	9–2	Independent	Mike Kruczek
Florida State	I-A (FBS)	11–2	ACC	Bobby Bowden
Western Kentucky	I-AA (FCS)	11–3	Division I-AA	Jerry Dawson

This table illustrates how USF’s early football efforts compared to both in-state powerhouses and peer programs transitioning through I-AA. While USF’s 5–6 record lagged behind successful I-AA teams like UCF and Western Kentucky, it represented progress for a program in only its second year of existence. The lack of conference affiliation limited postseason opportunities, but provided scheduling flexibility crucial for a developing team.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season was a pivotal step in establishing USF as a legitimate collegiate football program, laying the foundation for future conference membership and national recognition.

Program legitimacy: Achieving a winning record in only its second season helped USF gain credibility with recruits, fans, and university administrators.
Conference trajectory: The performance contributed to USF’s eventual move to Conference USA in 2003, accelerating its rise to FBS prominence.
Recruiting boost: Success on the field improved recruiting visibility in the talent-rich Tampa Bay region and across Florida.
Facility development: Early games at Tampa Stadium highlighted the need for a modern venue, leading to the move to Raymond James Stadium.
Foundation for growth: Jim Leavitt’s leadership in 1998 set the tone for USF’s rapid ascent, culminating in a top-2 national ranking in 2007.
Historical significance: The 1998 season is remembered as the first step toward competitiveness for a program now competing in the American Athletic Conference.

Though the 1998 South Florida Bulls football team did not achieve national acclaim, their season was instrumental in transforming USF from an experimental program into a growing force in college football. Their journey reflects the broader evolution of non-traditional football schools entering the collegiate landscape.