USF Coach Bryan Hodgson Tells Emotional Story About Sick Dad
University of South Florida men’s basketball coach Bryan Hodgson is feeling grateful as his team heads to Buffalo, New York for their first and second-round games in the NCAA Tournament. This stroke of good fortune not only provides a change of scenery from the campus in Tampa, Florida but also allows Bryan’s adoptive father, Larry Hodgson, to finally see him coach in person.
Larry, who has never been able to attend a game due to his dementia preventing him from traveling, will be present at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center on Thursday, March 19 to support his son. Bryan expressed his immense gratitude, acknowledging that without his father’s support, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
The Bulls, champions of the American Athletic Conference, are the 11th seed in the East region and are set to face the 6th seeded Louisville Cardinals. Despite being considered underdogs, USF is on a winning streak, having won their last 11 games, making them a popular pick for an upset victory.
Bryan, who was brought into the Hodgson family at the age of two, has had a successful first season as the Bulls head coach, with his leadership making him a top candidate for bigger coaching opportunities in the future. However, his focus remains on guiding USF to their first NCAA Tournament win since 2012.
The players, including leading scorer Wes Enis, exude confidence heading into the matchup with Louisville, with Enis stating that he believes USF is the better team and doesn’t consider a potential victory to be an upset. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 19 and will be broadcast on TNT.
As Bryan and the Bulls look to continue their impressive run in the tournament, the presence of his father and the unwavering support of the team are sure to fuel their determination on the court. The opportunity to share this moment with his family is a reminder of the journey that has led Bryan to this point, and he is determined to make the most of this experience.
