Sam Houston fired head coach Phil Longo after a 1-7 start, citing the need for leadership that can make the Bearkats more competitive in Conference USA. The program is searching for its third head coach in three seasons as it tries to recapture the success it had under K.C. Keeler.

By the Numbers
  • Sam Houston is 1-7 this season.
  • Longo finished with a 3-17 overall record and a 1-11 mark in Conference USA play.
  • The Bearkats moved to the FBS level in 2023 and won their first bowl game in 2024.
Yes, But

Sam Houston had recent high points, including an FCS national championship in 2020 and a bowl win in 2024. But Longo, who had been Keeler’s offensive coordinator, could not sustain that momentum.

What's Next

Sam Houston must hire a new coach and find a way to compete more consistently in Conference USA.

Bottom Line

The firing reflects the gap between Sam Houston’s recent ambitions and its results: the next hire must restore the program’s momentum at the FBS level.