The Coaching Carousel for college basketball is a series where we break down contracts and candidates. You can read more about it here or dive deeper into Chris Mack, Travis Steele, Andy Newman, Jerrod Calhoun, or Takayo Siddle profiles.
The carousel is spinning and about to pick up pace over the next few weeks. Let’s take a look at a coach who may once again find himself on the coaching carousel as a candidate for a P4 or Big East job in the coming weeks.
Bryan Hodgson.
Hodgson was on the carousel last year as the head coach at Arkansas State. The 37-year-old is widely known as a next-level recruiter, and his first two stops as a head coach show he knows how to win.
Bryan Hodgson Contract
March 24, 2025 – April 15, 2031
Base Salary: $500,000
Additional Compensation (Radio, Fundraising, Events, etc.):
- March 24, 2025 – April 15, 2026: $750,000
- April 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027: $800,000
- April 16, 2027 – April 15, 2028: $850,000
- April 16, 2028 – April 15, 2029: $900,000
- April 16, 2029 – April 15, 2030: $950,000
- April 16, 2030 – April 15, 2031: $1,000,000
Termination by Coach
Straight from his contract.
If Hodgson voluntarily terminates the agreement without cause, he must pay the university the following liquidated damages within 60 days:
A. Effective Date through April 15, 2027: $2,000,000
B. April 16, 2027 – April 15, 2029: $1,500,000
C. April 16, 2029 – April 15, 2030: $1,000,000
D. April 16, 2030 – April 15, 2031: $500,000
Bryan Hodgson Profile
Before arriving at South Florida, Hodgson guided Arkansas State to two of the most successful seasons in program history with back-to-back 20-win campaigns.
During the 2023-24 season, after inheriting a team that had lost 20 games the previous year, Hodgson engineered a major turnaround. The Red Wolves reached the postseason for the first time since 1999 and set program records for total points and field goals made. He was also named a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top first-year head coach.
In 2024-25, Arkansas State finished 25-11, the best record in Red Wolves history. The season included a top-20 victory (Memphis), a Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, and the program’s first NIT appearance in more than 30 years. The Red Wolves finished the regular season with one of the top 30 scoring offenses in the nation and led the Sun Belt offensively, while ranking second in the league defensively. A trend that Hodgson has had at his multiple head coaching stops is strong offenses and a balanced defensive approach.
At South Florida this season, Hodgson has the Bulls at 22-8 overall and 14-3 in conference play at press time, holding a two-game lead over Wichita State. Before his arrival, the Bulls finished 13-19 (6-12).
Before becoming a head coach, Hodgson served as an assistant at Alabama, Buffalo, Midland College, Jamestown Community College, and Fredonia State.
A tidbit that is making waves right now is that Hodgson is from Western New York (hello, Syracuse?).
Beyond the wins and recruiting reputation, Hodgson is widely regarded in coaching circles as a “good guy” in the industry. Placed in foster care as an infant and later adopted, he has remained deeply involved in mentoring youth through sports and leadership.
He wins. He recruits. And if the carousel starts spinning faster over the next few weeks, don’t be surprised if Bryan Hodgson finds himself right back in the middle of it.
