Phil Longo returns to Sam Houston with plans to lead the Bearkats and take a hands-on role in shaping the team’s offense.
Sam Houston State University officially introduced Phil Longo as its new head football coach during a press conference on Wednesday, marking a significant step forward for the program. Athletic Director Bobby Williams and Longo spoke about the process that brought the former Bearkat offensive coordinator back to Huntsville and their vision for the program’s future.
A Great Day for Bearkat Football
“…it is a great day to be a Bearkat,” Williams began. “I wanted to start off just thanking our team and our current coaches that are there. The job that they’ve done in all this transition is amazing.” He praised the staff and players for their dedication to the program, noting, “It’s really great that they all want to come back and play. The coaches are here still coaching and trying to win our 10th FBS game. That’s really exciting, and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did.”
Williams, who has been part of Sam Houston football for 42 years, described this coaching change as particularly meaningful. “It’s a special day for Bearkat football,” he said. “Phil Longo had done a wonderful job here as an offensive coordinator and what he’s done since he left here.” Williams noted that Longo’s experience and connection to the program made him the ideal candidate. “As we approached this opening, we were looking for someone that knew us, someone with FBS coordinator experience, and just really, really good people that want to be at Sam Houston,” he said. “He checked all the boxes as we went through this process.”
Longo’s Return to Sam Houston
Longo, returning after coaching stints at Ole Miss, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, expressed his enthusiasm for rejoining the program. “Sam Houston still exists in my heart,” he said. “This is one of the top moments of my life. My family is happy, and we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running after the holidays.”
Williams highlighted the collaborative nature of the hiring process. “I do want to thank our president, Dr. Alisa White. She’s done an amazing job in leadership and our transition to FBS,” he said. Williams also recognized others who contributed, including Vice President Amanda Withers, Vice President for University Advancement Matthew Bethea, Associate Athletic Directors Chris Thompson and Travis Lies, and advisor Randy Stewart. “It was a little different process than we’ve done in the past. We knew we had to move very quickly because of the portal and the different landscape of college athletics,” Williams explained. “We posted the job in about 24 hours and were able to get this done before the bowl game.”
Player Retention and Recruitment
Longo spoke about his focus on building relationships and retaining players in the evolving NIL and transfer portal era. “Retention now takes center stage before even the recruitment of new players,” Longo said. “It’s about building relationships day after day to keep players committed and engaged.” He emphasized the importance of caring for players both on and off the field. “They have to understand you sincerely care about them,” he said.
Offensive Philosophy and Leadership
Discussing his offensive philosophy, Longo reflected on his time at Sam Houston. “In 2014 and 2015, we ran the football for over 3,700 yards and had 40-plus rushing touchdowns,” he said. “In 2016, we threw for over 5,000 yards, and Jeremiah Brisco set a Division I record with 57 touchdown passes. Same program, just a different emphasis.” Longo noted that his approach would be tailored to the talent on the roster. “From year to year, we’ll look different because it’s going to be dictated by the talent that we have,” he said.
Longo also announced that he would take a hands-on role in running the offense during his first year as head coach. “I will have a very heavy hand on the offensive side. I will call the plays initially this first year,” he said. “But I plan to hire an offensive coordinator because I can’t preach being balanced offense, defense, and special teams if I don’t balance out my time.”
A Strong Candidate Pool
Williams praised the depth and quality of candidates for the position, calling it “the best candidate pool” he’d ever seen in his 27 years as athletic director. “The talent pool of people that were interested in our job was a great compliment to our university and our program,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Longo expressed his excitement about leading the program into its next chapter. “I’m honored to be a part of the tradition that is Sam Houston State football,” he said. “We’re excited about what the future holds.”
Williams closed by emphasizing the importance of community support. “The outpouring of support from donors, fans, and everyone on campus has been incredible,” he said. “It makes it easy to come to work every day.”
Sam Houston enters this new era with high hopes, bolstered by a leader who knows the program and is ready to build on its rich history.
Phil Longo Fact Sheet
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 17, 1968 (age 56) Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1987 | East Stroudsburg |
| 1988–1991 | Rowan |
| Position(s) | Quarterback, running back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1996–1999 | Parsippany Hills HS (NJ) |
| 2000–2001 | William Paterson (AHC/OC) |
| 2002–2003 | La Salle (AHC/OC) |
| 2004–2005 | La Salle |
| 2006–2007 | Minnesota Duluth (OC) |
| 2008–2009 | Southern Illinois (OC) |
| 2010 | Youngstown State (WR/RC) |
| 2011 | Slippery Rock (WR) |
| 2012–2013 | Slippery Rock (OC/QB) |
| 2014–2016 | Sam Houston State (OC/QB) |
| 2017–2018 | Ole Miss (OC/QB) |
| 2019–2022 | North Carolina (OC/QB) |
| 2023–2024 | Wisconsin (OC/QB) |
| 2025–present | Sam Houston |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 7–14 (college) |
