TAMPA, Fla. — USF head football coach Jeff Scott led his first spring practice on March 10, 2020. Hours later, the coronavirus wiped out the entire spring schedule and the annual spring game.
This year, Scott's taking some advice from one of his college professors. While he was getting his degree in secondary education to become a math teacher, Scott's instructor told him he'd make the biggest leap of his teaching career between years one and two.
Scott said it was the truth, and he hopes he can make a big jump in year two with the Bulls.
"It was a huge difference because you already had your lesson plans together. You’ve been through this process," Scott said, via video chat. "And I think for me, just like I want our players to be better this year in a lot of areas, I think I’m going to be better as a second-year head coach rather than a first-year head coach."
Scott went to the first Buccaneers game versus the Chiefs in November, and he was lucky enough to see the Super Bowl in person. He said aside from Tom Brady's arrival, the biggest thing he took away from the Bucs this year was their level of belief in the fact that they could win.
"Just the expectations of winning, and the expectations and the standard of practice and those type of things," Scott said "You’re able to see that completely change and help the Bucs elevate themselves to a Super Bowl champion."
Now Scott, an Arcadia native, wants to get a piece of the recent winning ways in the Tampa area.
"I’ve seen the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. I’ve seen the Lightning win the Stanley Cup. Now I’ve seen the Bucs win the Super Bowl," Scott said with a grin. "I’m very hopeful and optimistic that some of that success is gonna rub off on us here at USF very soon."
Spring practice is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. The Bulls will practice three days a week until the spring game on March 27 at Raymond James Stadium.
