USF fills final vacancy on football staff

The replenishment of USF coach Charlie Strong’s staff, following two months of considerable turnover, is complete.

The Tampa Bay Times has learned Bryan Hill, who arrived with Strong from Texas and spent the past two seasons as a defensive quality-control analyst, has been promoted to safeties coach. Meantime, veteran assistant Sean Cronin will switch from coaching defensive tackles to outside linebackers.

The moves are the final ones in a winter full of them. The Times first reported on Dec. 22 that Strong was expected to dismiss four assistants in the wake of a six-game losing streak to end the 2018 season. Five assistants ultimately departed.

Strong has since added former Gators quarterback Kerwin Bell (offensive coordinator) and Jeremy Darveau (offensive line) from Division II national champ Valdosta State, former Bucs defensive line assistant Paul Spicer (defensive line) and Middle Tennessee cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis (secondary).

Related: Kerwin Bell assumes ‘total control’ of USF offense

Hill, a Texas alumnus, is the final piece. Before coming to USF, he spent two years (2015-16) as a Longhorns graduate assistant, working with linebackers and defensive backs.

His new gig at USF will be his first job as an on-field assistant since his two-year tenure (2011-12) as a defensive backs/strength coach at NAIA Wayland Baptist University.

2019 USF staff

Charlie Strong: Head coach

Kerwin Bell: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks (replaces Sterlin Gilbert)

Brian Jean-Mary: Defensive coordinator/linebackers

Jeremy Darveau: Offensive line (replaces Matt Mattox)

Justin Burke: Tight ends/special teams

Shaun King: Running backs

Charlie Williams: Receivers

Sean Cronin: Outside linebackers (Moves from defensive tackles)

Steve Ellis: Secondary (Replaces Blue Adams)

Paul Spicer: Defensive line (Replaces Damon Cogdell)

Bryan Hill: Safeties (Replaces Tommy Restivo)

Pat Moorer: Strength and conditioning