Former UNC football offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Phil Longo has been hired as head coach of the Sam Houston State University Football program.
Longo spent four seasons with the Tar Heels from 2019-2022, helping North Carolina become one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. In his first season with the Tar Heels in 2019, Longo's offense averaged 474 yards per game, ranking 12th in the country. He also helped turn former UNC star quarterback Sam Howell into an NFL-caliber player, who, under Longo, set an incredible number of UNC records.
Sam Houston has hired former Wisconsin OC Phil Longo as head coach.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 18, 2024
Longo was Sam Houston's OC from 2014-16. pic.twitter.com/wUJCJmz2Fj
Following his time in Chapel Hill, Longo became Wisconsin's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for nearly two seasons before being fired earlier this year after the Badger's 5-5 start to the season.
It didn't take long before another program scooped up Longo, as his new hire came just one month after his firing at Wisconsin.
This won't be Longo's first stint at Sam Houston State, where he also served as the OC/QBs coach from 2014 to 2016. Longo's offense during his time at Sam Houston State was of the highest caliber, averaging 547 yards of total offense per game, helping lead the Bearkats to a 12-1 record.
He'll be returning to Huntsville, Texas, for his first college head coaching job since 2005, when he coached La Salle. Thanks for everything you've done here at Chapel Hill, and good luck in Texas, Coach Longo!