According to Pete Nakos from On3Sports.com via X.com (formally Twitter) that the University of South Florida has a made a surprising move, hiring UNLV head coaching prospect, former Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson late Monday evening.

It is reported that UNLV was in the final stages of putting together an offer package for Hodgson, with announcement planned for tonight/tomorrow and a donor gathering in the works.

As recent as 5 hours ago, UNLV was reportedly ready to get the deal done with Hodgson to be the program’s next coach.

Hodgson’s name was not on any of the short lists that UNLV had. Hodgson had been in contact with UNLV in the last couple of days.

USF came up with the better offer for Hodgson to be the next head basketball coach.

Bryan Hodgson is replacing Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led USF to the team’s only regular-season conference title in the 2023-24 season before passing away in October.

Hodgson has led Arkansas State to a 45-28 record and two postseason appearances in his two seasons. In his first year, he was named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award as the nation’s top-first year coach last season.

Last season, USF finished 13-19 under interim coach Ben Fletcher.

UNLV will continue to their search for a new head coach. The Runnin’ Rebels finished 18-15 this season under former coach Kevin Kruger.