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The South Florida Bulls football team represents the University of South Florida (USF) and has competed in the American Conference (The American) since 1997, currently playing home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, though a new $340 million on-campus stadium is slated to open in 2027. The program was founded under head coach Jim Leavitt, who famously held the first team meeting under a shade tree and guided the Bulls from Division I-AA to the FBS, achieving notable upsets over ranked teams like Auburn, West Virginia, and Florida State. The team's pinnacle came in 2007 when they soared to No. 2 in the national rankings after a dominant win over UCF, though a three-game losing streak derailed their championship hopes. Leavitt was fired in January 2010 after an investigation found he struck a player during a game, leading to a $2.75 million settlement with the school. He was succeeded by Skip Holtz, who secured the program's first-ever victory over the Miami Hurricanes and a bowl win over Clemson in his debut season.