USF's new offensive coordinator is a Sunshine State veteran

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Kerwin Bell is back home. He played 14 years professionally and even spent a season with the Buccaneers.

"I've been here most of my career other than when I was around playing the game and going all over the country, into Canada, and all over," he explained today during a press conference at USF's Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center. 

The former SEC Player of the Year and Florida quarterback will take over the Bulls offense after head coaching stints at Jacksonville University and Valdosta State. Bell most recently led the Blazers to a national title and led all Division II programs in scoring, averaging 52 points per game. Now, he's ready to tackle a new challenge. 

"Sometimes you can look at that and say it may be a big shock for you to come to this level, a guy that's been in Division II his whole life, maybe... That guy. But, that's not who I am," said Bell. "I've been in the NFL, I've coached at the highest level, and I know what it takes to play and the kind of execution you got to have to be at the highest level."  

Bell and USF head coach Charlie Strong have known each other for 30 years, but this is their first shot at coaching together. The new Bulls offensive coordinator says he's looking forward to focusing on the offense after over a decade of being a head coach.

"Coach Strong has given me total control to go in and run my own system," said Bell. "He's not an offensive guy, sort of looking over your shoulder. It's a guy who believes in what we're doing, and is going to let me take total control on that side of the ball." 

Bell says he will run a pro-style, spread offense. He wants the USF to be fast and explosive and thinks he already has the players to do it.