The South Florida Bulls men's soccer team represents the University of South Florida in the sport of soccer. The Bulls currently compete in the American Conference (The American) within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). USF plays in Corbett Stadium, which opened in 2011 and is also used by the USF women's soccer team. Prior to that, they played at USF Soccer Field from their first season in 1965 until 1978 and USF Soccer Stadium (later called USF Soccer and Track Stadium) from 1979 until 2010. They are coached by Bob Butehorn, who is in his sixth year with the Bulls as of the 2022 season.

The men's soccer team was the first team in USF history to play an intercollegiate game, defeating Florida Southern 4–3 on September 25, 1965.

Men's soccer is historically one of USF's most successful sports teams, winning a combined 27 regular season and tournament conference championships (the most of any program at the school) and reaching the NCAA Tournament 23 times. The furthest the Bulls have advanced in the tournament is to the Elite Eight, which they have reached three times.

History

Dan Holcomb era (1965–1986) USF men's soccer began NCAA play in 1965 under Coach Dan Holcomb. Holcomb guided the team for 22 years, compiling a record of 216–86–23, and earning 7 NCAA tournament berths and 15 combined regular season and tournament conference titles.

Jay Miller era (1987–1993) In 1987, Jay Miller took over as coach of the Bulls. In seven years, he compiled a record of 69–43–15. The Bulls entered the Sun Belt Conference in 1990, and, with a record 5–1–1 in conference play, they were named co-champions.

In 1992 and 1993 the Bulls played in the Metro Conference, compiling a conference record of 3–5–1.

Under Coach Miller, the Bulls failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.

T. Logan Fleck era (1994–1996) In three seasons, Fleck compiled a record of 34–17–0. In 1994, while still in the Metro Conference, The Bulls were 9–7–0 overall, and 3–2 in conference. They moved to Conference USA in 1995, and went 8–6–0 overall, and 5–3–0 in conference play. In 1996, Fleck's final season, the Bulls won the Conference USA title, and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Fleck, who was also the inaugural coach of the USF women's soccer team in 1995 and 1996, resigned after the 1996 season to coach the women's team full time.

David Christiansen era (1997) David Christainsen, a 28-year old assistant under Coach Fleck, was hired as the interim coach of the Bulls for the 1997 season. Christiansen went 14–8–2 overall, and 5–1–2 in conference, as the team was named Conference USA co-champions. Christiansen took the team deep into NCAA Tournament, their best result up to that point, as they made it all the way to the Elite Eight. Christansen resigned after the season because of an incident on the team's flight back to Tampa following their loss to Indiana in the NCAA Tournament.

John Hackworth era (1998–2001) In 1998, under Coach Hackworth, the Bulls won the conference championship for a third straight year, this time winning both the regular season and tournament Conference USA titles. The team also appeared in the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row. Hackworth compiled a record of 47–32–2 overall, and 20–13–1 in conference in four seasons.

George Kiefer era (2002–2016) In 2002, George Kiefer took over as coach. In 2004, the Bulls jumped from Conference USA to the Big East, and in 2013 the Big East transitioned to the American Athletic Conference (now known as the American Conference). The Bulls won the Big East regular season title in 2005 and 2011, the Big East tournament in 2008, the inaugural AAC Tournament in 2013, and the AAC regular season title in 2016. Under Coach Keifer, the Bulls found themselves in 10 NCAA Tournaments, including seven straight (2007–2013). They reached the Elite Eight in 2008 and 2011. In 2011, the Bulls moved from the USF Soccer and Track Stadium to the new Corbett Stadium.

Keifer had a record of 162–84–47 with the Bulls. On November 22, 2016, Kiefer was hired by the NC State Wolfpack men's soccer program.

Bob Butehorn era (2017–2025)

On December 18, 2016, Bob Butehorn was hired as the head coach for the program. Butehorn previously coached the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's soccer program. The Bulls made the NCAA tournament in 2019. After a few disappointing seasons, the Bulls made the conference tournament championship game in 2022 and made the NCAA tournament for the second time under Butehorn's guide, and won a tournament game for the first time since 2012 after a 4–2 victory against Hofstra at Corbett Stadium, and lost in the second round to No. 1 overall seed Kentucky.

George Kiefer (2026–) Kiefer was announced as head coach on December 10, 2025, beginning his second tenure with the program (he previously coached USF from 2002 to 2016). He is leading the team for the 2026 season.

Players

Current roster Men's soccer roster on gofbulls.com

Coaching staff

Position Name Head coach Bob Butehorn Assistant coach Armante' Marshall Assistant coach William Chiles Assistant coach Luis Vega Graduate assistant Kori Cupid

Fans The main group of student supporters are known as the Goalmouths. They sit on the berm behind whichever goal USF is attacking in that particular half.

Rivalries

USF's main rival is American Athletic Conference foe Central Florida, with whom they compete in the War on I-4. The sides first met in 1974 and the Bulls lead the all-time series at .

The Bulls annually face the crosstown University of Tampa Spartans, an NCAA Division II school, in the preseason Rowdies Cup, which celebrates the city's rich soccer history. The Bulls have a deep connection with the Rowdies, as Corbett Stadium is named after USF alumni and former Rowdies owners (of the original club, not the current one) Dick and Cornelia Corbett. In addition to holding the match trophy until the next match, the winners also get to hoist the actual 1975 Soccer Bowl trophy, which was won by the original Tampa Bay Rowdies. Formerly called the Mayor's Cup until 2005, as of the 2022 edition, USF holds edge in the all-time series which dates back to 1972.http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=209225951

Season-by-season results YearConferenceGames playedRecord(W–L–T)Win percentageConference record(W–L–T)Head coachPostseason1965Independent (National Collegiate)106–4–0.600N/ADan Holcomb19661110–0–1.95519671210–2–0.833196896–2–1.7221969108–2–0.800NCAA Round of 161970117–3–1.682NCAA First Round1971107–3–0.700NCAA First Round1972Independent (College Division)159–4–2.667NCAA Round of 161973Independent (Division I)1310–3–0.769NCAA Round of 161974146–6–2.5001975139–3–1.731NCAA First Round1976Sun Belt1811–6–1.6394–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)19771510–5–0.6672–1–0 (Won conference tournament)1978157–7–1.5001–2–019791812–6–0.6673–1–0 (Won conference tournament)19801614–1–1.9063–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)19811512–2–1.8333–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)19821913–3–3.7634–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)NCAA First Round19832015–4–1.7753–0–1 (Won conference regular season)19842113–6–2.6673–1–0 (Won conference regular season)19852012–6–2.6503–0–1 (Won conference tournament and regular season)1986199–8–2.5262–0–1 (Won conference tournament)1987188–8–2.5003–2–1Jay Miller1988189–7–2.5564–1–1 (Won conference tournament)1989209–11–0.4502–4–019901712–3–2.7655–1–11991Metro Conference209–5–6.6002–0–2 (Won conference tournament)19921813–3–2.7782–1–11993169–6–1.5941–4–01994169–7–0.5623–2–0T. Logan Fleck1995Conference USA148–6–0.5715–3–019962117–4–0.8107–1–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)NCAA First Round19972414–8–2.6255–1–2 (Won conference regular season)David ChristinsenNCAA Quarterfinal19982212–8–2.5916–1–1 (Won conference tournament and regular season)John HackworthNCAA First Round19991810–8–0.5563–5–020001910–9–0.5266–3–020012215–7–0.6827–4–0NCAA Second Round20021811–7–0.6116–4–0George Kiefer2003187–8–3.4724–3–220041710–5–2.6475–3–12005Big East 2113–6–2.6679–2–0 (Won conference regular season)NCAA Second Round2006199–6–4.6361–0–320072214–6–2.6806–4–1NCAA Round of 1620082315–5–3.7127–3–1 (Won conference tournament)NCAA Quarterfinal20092114–4–3.7296–3–2NCAA Second Round2010189–6–4.6094–3–2NCAA First Round20112113–4–4.6967–1–2 (Won conference regular season)NCAA Quarterfinal2012198–6–5.5482–3–3NCAA Second Round2013American Conference218–4–9.5952–2–4 (Won conference tournament)NCAA First Round20142010–7–3.5754–3–120151911–6–3.6255–1–2NCAA Second Round20161910–6–4.6005–1–2 (Won conference regular season)NCAA First Round2017166–6–4.5003–2–2Bob Butehorn2018177–8–2.4714–1–220191911–7–1.6054–3–0NCAA First Round2020104–6–0.4004–6–02021156–7–2.4674–5–12022209–7–4.5505–1–3NCAA Second Round2023166–9–1.4063–4–12024166–6–44–3–0Total1022594–328–110195–99–4723 Appearances (13–20–6 record)Bold indicates tournament wonItalics indicate Conference Championship

*- indicates season in progress, totals will be updated at end of season

NCAA tournament results

YearRoundLocationOpponentResultNotes19691st round (round of 24) Annapolis, MD NavyW 1–02nd round (round of 16) College Park, MD MarylandL 1–419701st round (round of 24) Annapolis, MD Navy T 0–0 Navy advances on corner kicks19711st round (round of 24) Annapolis, MD NavyL 1–319721st round (round of 24)Harrisonburg, VAJames MadisonW 1–0 OTCollege Division tournament2nd round (round of 16)Baltimore, MDBaltimoreL 0–119731st round (round of 24) Morgantown, WV West VirginiaW 3–12nd round (round of 16) Clemson, SC ClemsonL 0–1 4OT19751st round (round of 24) Clemson, SC ClemsonL 0–319821st round (round of 24) Durham, NC DukeL 1–219961st round (round of 32) Miami, FL Florida InternationalL 1–619971st round (round of 32) Miami, FL Florida InternationalW 3–12nd round (round of 16) New York, NY St. John'sW 2–1Quarterfinals Bloomington, IN IndianaL 0–619981st round (round of 32) Tampa, FL William & MaryL 1–2 2OT20011st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL AkronW 2–12nd round (round of 32) State College, PA Penn StateL 0–1 3OT20051st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL StetsonW 3–02nd round (round of 32) Charlottesville, VA VirginiaT 4–4 Virginia advances on PKs, 7–620071st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL ColgateW 2–12nd round (round of 32) Akron, OH AkronW 1–0 2OT3rd round (round of 16) Storrs, CT ConnecticutL 0–520082nd round (round of 32) Tampa, FL HarvardW 2–13rd round (round of 16) Tampa, FL UNC GreensboroT 1–1 USF advances on PKs, 3–1Quarterfinals Winston-Salem, NC Wake ForestL 0–520091st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL StetsonW 2–12nd round (round of 32) Akron, OH AkronL 0–220101st round (round of 48) Orlando, FL UCFL 0–320112nd round (round of 32) Tampa, FL UCFW 2–1 OT3rd round (round of 16) Tampa, FL New MexicoT 0–0 USF advances on PKs, 6–5Quarterfinals Omaha, NE CreightonL 0–1 OT20121st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL Florida Gulf Coast T 0–0 USF advances on PKs, 5–32nd round (round of 32) Tampa, FL Tulsa L 0–1 OT20131st round (round of 48) Chapel Hill, NC North Carolina L 0–120152nd round (round of 32) Tampa, FL Boston College L 1–2 OT20161st round (round of 48) Tampa, FL Florida Gulf Coast T 2–2 FGCU advances on PKs, 3–02019 1st round (round of 48)Louisville, KYLouisville L 1–420221st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLHofstraW 4–22nd round (round of 32)Lexington, KYKentuckyL 0–4Total 23 Appearances 13–20–6

Individual honors

Hermann Trophy finalists

Fergus Hopper, 1977

All Americans

First team

Roy Wegerle, 1982, 1983 Mike Mekelburg, 1996 Jeff Attinella, 2009

Second team

Fergus Hopper, 1975 Dom Dwyer, 2011

Third team

Jeff Cunningham, 1996, 1997 Yohance Marshall, 2008 Nazeem Bartman, 2015

Conference honors

Player of the decade

Jeff Cunningham, 1990s

Player of the year

Tim Geltz, 1991 Mark Chung, 1992 Mike Mekleberg, 1996 Jeff Cunningham, 1997 Brian Waltrip, 1998 Dom Dwyer, 2011