Overview
- Sam Houston dismissed Phil Longo on Oct. 28 after 20 games as head coach, leaving him with a 3-17 overall record and 1-11 mark in Conference USA.
- Athletic director Bobby Williams said a review of the program showed a need for new leadership to return the Bearkats to consistent competitiveness in Conference USA.
- Associate head coach Eric Raisbeck and defensive coordinator Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay were named interim co-head coaches and will lead the team for the final four games, beginning Nov. 7 at Jacksonville State.
- Longo’s offense ranked last in Conference USA in both seasons, averaged about 322.8 yards per game in 2026, scored just three points in three conference games, and remained without a win over an FBS opponent this year.
- The move resets a program that reached 10-3 and won a bowl game in 2024 after its move to FBS, and Sam Houston is expected to conduct a multi-candidate search for a permanent coach after the season ends.