Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott has been named head football coach at South Florida, the school announced Monday.
Scott, 38, had coached at Clemson under Dabo Swinney since 2008. The Florida native takes over a USF program that went 4-8 in 2019 under Charlie Strong, who was fired Dec. 1 after three seasons.
"Jeff is a very bright, enthusiastic and driven leader for our program and we are thrilled to welcome him to USF and back to Florida, where he was born and where he has recruited so well for Clemson for many years," USF athletics director Michael Kelly said. "He is a young and extremely gifted offensive mind, a developer of high-level talent and an elite national recruiter who brings the experience of having played an integral role from the beginning in helping to build one of the most successful programs in college football. We are thrilled that he and his wife, Sara, and their daughter, Savannah, are joining our Bulls family and will be part of the exciting future of USF football."
Scott, a Florida native, played wide receiver at Clemson in the early 2000s, and returned to his alma mater as receivers coach in 2008. He was elevated to running game coordinator later that same season and took over as co-offensive coordinator with Tony Elliott in 2015.
Scott, the son of former South Carolina coach Brad Scott, has been involved in five straight ACC championships, five College Football Playoff berths and a pair of national championships at Clemson. The Tigers (13-0) meet Ohio State (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl in a playoff semifinal on Dec. 28.
“I have great respect for the USF football program and what has been accomplished in a very short time and can’t wait to get to work building on that foundation to produce a championship program,” Scott said. “I am thankful to President (Steven) Currall and Michael Kelly. for this tremendous opportunity and their support and belief in me. It is difficult to leave my alma mater and the great program we have built at Clemson, but I believe we can do great things at USF. I am thankful to Coach Swinney and all the Clemson players and staff for the great experiences and lessons that have prepared me to lead USF football. Go Bulls!”