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USF Fill Offensive Coordinator Vacancy

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2009

TAMPA - As expected, University of South Florida promoted wide receivers coach Mike Canales to offensive coordinator, while the Bulls hired Naval Academy Prep School offensive coordinator Phil McGeoghan as wide receivers coach.

McGeoghan, 29, spent parts of four seasons in the NFL playing with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos.

"Absolutely, positively I'm thrilled with the chance to coach this type of athlete," McGeoghan said Wednesday. "I love the way Mike coaches and teaches, he's a leader. I love the way Coach [Jim] Leavitt has built USF's program.

"USF is my style of football and I'm excited about being able to link back up to my mentor."

Canales, who will also coach the quarterbacks, was USF's original offensive coordinator when the program began in 1996. He stayed at USF through 2000, before moving on to stints with the Jets, N.C. State and the University of Arizona.

After three seasons playing at the University of Maine from 1998-2000, McGeoghan played in the NFL for four seasons, including 2003 with the Jets when Canales was the wide receivers coach.

McGeoghan coached wide receivers and tights ends at Maine in 2007 before coaching at the Naval Academy Prep School last season.

"This is a great opportunity and a chance to link back up with someone you played for," McGeoghan said. "That was unique. It's fantastic."

McGeoghan said he'll begin working at USF Monday. And he already has one goal in mind.

"My guys will do a lot of community service," he said. "We're going to change lives through football."

Canales replaces Greg Gregory as offensive coordinator. Gregory is now offensive coordinator at South Alabama.

"We are fortunate to have Coach Canales back as offensive coordinator and I know that he will do a tremendous job," Leavitt said in a statement. "Mike knows this program and the offense inside and out and I know that he will continue to be a tremendous leader for our offense.

"Phil McGeoghan has a great football mind. He is a first-class coach with a ton of character. He is also very familiar with Coach Canales and the offense we will run. Phil's passion and expertise will immediately be tremendous assets to our program."

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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