Skip Holtz Era Begins at USF

The Skip Holtz Traveling Salvation Show has been making its way around the Tampa Bay area. The early results are in and everyone loves the new University of South Florida football coach.

Holtz won't waste any time getting a jump on the rest of the Big East football programs when his Bulls take to the field for the start of spring practice next Tuesday, March 16.

Holtz has been out and about doing some serious mending of bridges that were set on fire over the years by former coach Jim Leavitt. By all accounts, Holtz has done a good job and sees the huge potential in the Tampa area from both a recruiting and fan standpoint.

You can bet Holtz noticed that the USF fan base has a lot of room for growth and he intends to help it.

Publicity aside, it's time for work on the field and Holtz will have a lot of work to do to have his team ready for September.

First, he needs to find some quarterbacks. Starter B.J. Daniels is recovering from shoulder surgery and won't be available for any meaningful work.

Evan Landi started his progression to wide receiver last year but that may have to go on hold otherwise Holtz may look to Victor Marc or possibly Isaac Virgin. Virgin, who was being moved to tight end, is 6'4", 245 and is a size duplicate of former East Carolina great David Garrard, now quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Second, Holtz needs to find someone to run the football whose initials are NOT B.J.

With Mike Ford booted from the program, the Bulls will have Mo Plancher back after he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, which makes him an obvious front runner at the position. Bradley Battles, Richard Kelly, and Jamar Taylor will be around but you can bet that Holtz will look for new ways to use speedster Lindsey Lamar.

Another task is to find replacements for defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre Paul, who now seek employment in the NFL. Craig Marshall is back and now may be the time for Julius Forte and Ryne Giddens to step up and claim starting positions.

The Bulls have no less than seven returning offensive linemen but that is an area where improvement is needed for the program.

Defensively, USF was overrun too often last season and that needs to change if the Bulls are to mount any serious charge for the 2010 Big East title.

Yes, there's a lot of work and there are expectations.

Holtz was considered the right hire inside and outside the program.

USF wants everyone to know that and has billboards around Tampa proclaiming: "It's A Holtz New Era."

Leavitt is gone and his name is hardly mentioned these days.

It's all about Holtz now.

His time, his team.

Big East Spring Football Starts :

March 16:   South Florida
March 17:   Connecticut
March 19:   Pittsburgh
March 23:   Rutgers, Syracuse
March 24:   West Virginia, Louisville
March 31:   Cincinnati