Sam Houston ripped the band-aid off, firing head coach Phil Longo less than two seasons into his tenure, a move driven by a brutal 3-17 record and an offense that was an absolute non-factor for the Bearkats. The school announced the decision on Wednesday, bringing a swift end to what was clearly a struggling era for the program.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Record of Collapse
Let’s be real, the writing was on the wall. Longo’s run was a disaster, plain and simple. We’re talking a dismal 3-17 record across two seasons, and a jaw-dropping 1-11 mark in Conference USA play. This team couldn’t buy a win against an FBS opponent, extending their losing streak to nine straight against that competition with a 24-3 drubbing by Missouri State on Tuesday. But the real kicker? That “signature offense” he was supposed to bring? It ranked dead last in Conference USA in both of his seasons as head coach. Last. In 2026, they were scraping by with a paltry 322.8 yards per game, and get this, they only managed to score three points in *three* of their four conference games. That’s not just bad, that’s historically bad.
Filling Massive Shoes and What’s Next
Longo’s hiring raised some eyebrows from the jump. He was a “cheap addition” for a young FBS program, brought in just weeks after he got canned as Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator. He was stepping into some serious shoes, replacing K.C. Keeler, who took the Bearkats to an FCS national championship in Spring 2021. Under Keeler, the program had a 10-3 record and even snagged its first bowl win after transitioning to FBS. Longo had history with Keeler, serving as his offensive coordinator from 2014-16, a period that saw two Southland titles and an FCS national semifinal appearance. But he just couldn’t replicate that success as the main man. Athletic director Bobby Williams summed it up, saying, “Our responsibility is to evaluate the program’s performance and direction. After careful review, I believe a change in leadership is necessary to position Bearkat football to compete consistently in Conference USA and meet the expectations of our student-athletes, university and supporters.” Associate head coach Eric Raisbeck and defensive coordinator Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay will step in as interim co-head coaches for the rest of the season. It’s a tough spot, but these guys have to rally the team and try to salvage some pride. The expectation is clear: compete consistently in Conference USA. That’s the bar, and it’s up to the new leadership to start clearing it, immediately.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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