Is Alex Golesh heading to Arkansas, or is the USF coach staying put in Tampa? USF coach Alex Golesh has been linked to several vacant college football jobs after a stellar season with the Bulls, who have an 8-3 record this season.
On Wednesday, reports indicated that Golesh had accepted the Arkansas Razorbacks job that has been vacant since Sam Pittman was fired in September.
Has Alex Golesh Actually Accepted the Arkansas Job?
On Tuesday, CBS Sports analyst John Talty dialed back on the news about Golesh being the Razorbacks’ new coach, detailing on X that the USF coach has not yet accepted the job.
“From talking to multiple sources here’s what @chris_hummer @bmarcello and I have on latest w/Alex Golesh. Golesh is Arkansas’ target but he hasn’t officially accepted. Golesh told people today he wouldn’t make a final decision until this weekend and hadn’t signed anything,” Talty tweeted.
Talty further revealed that should Arkansas’ talks with Golesh break down, Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack would be the Razorbacks’ backup option. “Should a deal break down between Alex Golesh and Arkansas, the name to watch is Alabama DC Kane Wommack, according to sources. There is still optimism, however, about Golesh. USF finishes season Sat against Rice at 6:00 p.m,” Talty tweeted.
The Razorbacks have struggled mightily in 2025, sitting with a 2-9 record this season. They have lost all six games played under interim coach Bobby Petrino since Pittman was fired two months ago. After the Golesh to Arkansas reports broke on Wednesday, USF’s CEO of Athletics, Rob Higgins, addressed the rumors on X, while reassuring Bulls fans about the program’s preparedness to deal with any eventuality.
“Since Saturday’s game, Coach Golesh has been presented with outside opportunities that he has been transparent about with us. We are respectful and supportive of Coach and his family in their decision-making process. We’ll remain in constant communication,” Higgins tweeted.
MORE: USF Statement Prepares Bulls Fans for Alex Golesh’s Departure
“Bulls Nation, rest assured, we are ultra prepared for every scenario that could unfold in the coming hours/days. Our commitment and investment has never been higher and we’re also laser focused on being great stewards of our resources. Most importantly, the future of USF Football has never been more bright! Go Bulls!”
Golesh was responsible for turning the Bulls around, leading them to consecutive 7-6 seasons during his first two years in charge. That success came after he joined a program that had won only four games in the three years preceding his arrival. Despite the off-field distractions involving their head coach, the Bulls still have one regular-season game remaining against the Rice Owls in Week 14 of college football action.