Anna 
Bryan Hodgson has been appointed the new head coach of the University of South Florida’s men’s basketball team, Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly announced on Monday.
“We are excited to welcome Bryan Hodgson as our next head coach,” said Kelly. “Bryan has been part of successful programs at all levels, showing his ability to recruit top talent, develop players, and create championship-caliber teams. His energy and vision align with our commitment to excellence. We are confident he is the right leader to elevate USF basketball to new heights.”
At 37 years old, Hodgson becomes the 12th head coach in the history of USF men’s basketball. He brings with him 18 years of coaching experience. Most recently, Hodgson served as head coach at Arkansas State, where he led the Red Wolves to two of their most successful seasons. During the 2023-24 season, he turned around a team that had struggled the previous year, leading them to their first postseason appearance since 1999. Arkansas State also set program records for scoring and field goals made. Hodgson was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, which honors the nation’s top first-year head coach.
The 2024-25 season saw Arkansas State finish with a 25-11 record, the best in the program’s history. Under Hodgson’s leadership, the team won the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title and made their first National Invitation Tournament appearance in over 30 years. Hodgson’s recruiting classes were ranked among the best in the Sun Belt, and the incoming class is currently ranked 35th in the nation.
“I am honored and excited to be the head coach at USF,” Hodgson said. “From my first conversations with Michael Kelly and the leadership at USF, it was clear they are committed to building a winning culture. I look forward to working with our student-athletes, staff, and the passionate Bulls fan base. We will play with energy, toughness, and a relentless drive to compete at the highest level.”
Prior to his time at Arkansas State, Hodgson was an assistant coach under Nate Oats at Alabama from 2019 to 2023. At Alabama, Hodgson helped recruit top-15 classes each year, and the team made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 finishes. The Crimson Tide won both the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament championships in Hodgson’s final season. Six of his players went on to be drafted into the NBA, including two in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Before Alabama, Hodgson played a key role in the University at Buffalo’s rise as a mid-major powerhouse, assisting in three NCAA Tournament runs and two regular-season conference titles.
Hodgson’s coaching career began at Fredonia State University, followed by positions at Jamestown Community College and Midland College, where he focused on recruiting and player development. His recruiting success has earned him recognition as one of The Athletic’s top 25 up-and-coming coaches and one of the 50 most impactful high-major assistant coaches. He was also named to the 2016 Under Armour 30 Under 30 Team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Hodgson earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Fredonia State University in 2011 and a master’s in education from the University of the Southwest in 2015.
A native of western New York, Hodgson was placed in foster care as an infant and adopted at age two. He mentors children through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and founded Coaching Love Inc., which raises awareness for at-risk youth, especially those in the foster care system.
Hodgson and his fiancée, Jordan, have a son, Jett, born in 2024.
Details about Hodgson’s introductory press conference will be announced soon.
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