Just hours after the Dons’ season ended in a 92-87 overtime loss to Murray State in the NCAA Tournament in March, the USF promoted Chris Garlafsen from assistant coach to head coach. Gelluhsen replaced Todd Golden, who left Hilltop to take over the Florida program.
Shortly after Gerluhsen received his promotion, he was confronted with this reality: How will the Dons replace the production of guard Jamalie Bouillet and forward Jauen Masarski?
“It’s been on my mind since the spring until the beginning of the season,” Gerlufsen said in a recent phone interview. “I think you do it in a few different ways.”
Gerlufsen cited those methods as a) improving play from returners such as guard Julian Richwein, forward Josh Coenen and Zane Meeks, and b) using transfer portals.
The Dons added guards Tyrell Roberts (Washington State) and Marcus Williams (Texas A&M), forward Toni Rokaku (UC San Diego) and 7-foot-1 center Saba Gigiberia (Georgia Tech). . All four figures play an important role.
“We will never replace Jamalie or Jauen alone,” Gerluhsen said. ”
Another thing that got Gellufsen excited was guard Khalil Shabazz’s decision to return to Hilltop for another season in May.
“I’m sure everyone here in the building could hear me scream when he said he would stay,” Gerlufsen said.
Preseason All-WCC selection Shabazz averaged 13.7 points per game last season. He brought speed and long-range shooting to the Dons (he recorded his 3-point shooting of a team-leading 79 last season). Gerlufsen appreciates the tangible and intangible of Shabazz.
Shabazz “is someone who knows me very well,” Gerluhsen said. “I mean, he’s a great connector from a coaching standpoint because he can pass all the information on to new recruits. …He’s going to really be an extension of the coaching staff.”
Gerhusen, 46, graduated in 1998 from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. He spent more than 20 years as his assistant coach, most recently in San Diego (2015-19), Hawaii (2019-21) and USF (last season).
At the beginning of his stint in Hawaii, Gerluhsen served as interim head coach, missing Elan Ganot due to health problems. 8 wins.
“I don’t want Elan Ganot to have to take sick leave,” Gerluhsen said.
Last season was the Dons’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998. Its success may have raised expectations for USF fans.
“I’d rather do it this way,” Gerlufsen said. “Last year was a great achievement. I was finally able to taste the long-awaited performance in March.
USF kicks off the season against Texas Southern at Hilltop on Monday night.
Steve Kroner is a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: skroner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveKronerSF
