What Is 2011 South Florida Bulls football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 South Florida Bulls football team does not exist as a recognized collegiate or professional team. 'South Florida Bulls' appears to be a confusion with the University of South Florida Bulls, whose 2011 football season resulted in a 5–7 record under head coach Skip Holtz.

Key Facts

University of South Florida (USF) Bulls football team competed in the 2011 NCAA season
2011 record: 5 wins, 7 losses (5–7 overall)
Head coach: Skip Holtz (in his second season)
Played in the Big East Conference
Home games held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

Overview

The University of South Florida Bulls football team represented USF during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Often mistaken as the 'South Florida Bulls,' this team is officially known as the USF Bulls and competes as a member of the American Athletic Conference (formerly Big East). The 2011 season marked the program’s second year under head coach Skip Holtz.

Despite high expectations following a strong 2010 campaign, the 2011 season was a step back for the program. The team struggled with consistency on both offense and defense, finishing with a losing record and failing to qualify for a bowl game. Several key injuries and close losses contributed to the disappointing outcome.

Record: The 2011 USF Bulls finished with a 5–7 overall record, including a 2–5 mark in Big East play, placing them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head Coach:Skip Holtz, in his second year, led the team but faced criticism for offensive inefficiency and clock management in tight games throughout the season.
Stadium: The Bulls played their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, sharing the venue with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Notable Game: A 38–34 loss to No. 5 Oklahoma on September 17, 2011, was a highlight despite the defeat, as USF nearly pulled off a major upset on national television.
Recruiting: The 2011 recruiting class included several four-star prospects, such as Julius Pruitt and DeRidder Johnson, aiming to boost the program’s national profile.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA college football involves team organization, scheduling, conference alignment, and postseason eligibility. For the 2011 USF Bulls, operations followed standard FBS protocols, including a 12-game regular season and adherence to Big East Conference rules.

Season Format:The 2011 FBS season consisted of 12 regular-season games; teams needed 6 wins to become bowl-eligible, which USF narrowly missed.
Conference Play: As a Big East member, USF faced conference opponents like Cincinnati, Louisville, and West Virginia in a bid to win the league and earn a BCS berth.
Coaching Staff:Skip Holtz served as head coach, supported by coordinators Charlie Weis Jr. (offense) and Brad Lamb (defense), both in their first year.
Player Eligibility: NCAA rules required players to maintain academic eligibility and adhere to amateurism standards, with five years to play four seasons.
Game Operations: Each game followed standard FBS rules, including 60-minute game clocks, 105-yard fields, and 130-player rosters with 85 on scholarship.
Bowl Qualification: A minimum 6–6 record was required for bowl consideration; USF’s 5–7 mark made them ineligible, ending their season in November.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 USF Bulls with other Big East teams and their own 2010 performance:

Team	2011 Record	Conference Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
USF Bulls	5–7	2–5	No	Skip Holtz
West Virginia	10–3	5–2	Orange Bowl	Bill Stewart
Connecticut	5–7	1–6	No	Paul Pasqualoni
Cincinnati	10–3	5–2	Belk Bowl	Butch Jones
USF 2010	8–5	5–2	Yes (Meineke Car Care Bowl)	Skip Holtz

The table illustrates a decline in performance from 2010 to 2011. While USF had been competitive the prior year, the 2011 season saw regression in both scoring and defensive efficiency. The team ranked 98th nationally in total offense, averaging just 358 yards per game, and allowed 27.6 points per game, up from 22.3 in 2010.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a pivotal moment in USF football history, highlighting the challenges of sustaining success in a competitive conference. The failure to reach a bowl game led to increased scrutiny of the coaching staff and program direction.

Program Momentum: After a promising 2010 season, the step back in 2011 damaged recruiting momentum and fan engagement in the Tampa Bay area.
Coaching Pressure: Skip Holtz’s record of 15–18 over three seasons eventually led to his dismissal after the 2012 season, signaling the cost of inconsistent results.
Conference Realignment: The Big East was in flux, and USF’s inconsistent performance weakened its standing amid shifting conference affiliations.
Recruiting Impact: Despite early success, four-star recruits like DeRidder Johnson failed to develop as expected, affecting long-term team strength.
Financial Implications: Missing a bowl game meant lost revenue estimated at $1.2 million, impacting athletic department budgets.
Legacy: The 2011 season remains a cautionary tale about the difficulty of maintaining competitiveness in Power Conference football without elite-level resources.

Ultimately, the 2011 USF Bulls season serves as a case study in the volatility of college football programs striving for national relevance. While no team called the 'South Florida Bulls' exists separately, USF’s season that year was a defining chapter in its athletic history.