​Rob Higgins at a USF athletics press conference in Tampa on August 17, 2026. Tom LaybergerRob Higgins stood at the podium in front of a media gathering on the morning of August 17 and expressed how he “gets chills” thinking about projects that continue to literally transform the landscape outside the office from which he oversees the University of South Florida’s athletic interests. Though getting chills, as opposed to a saturating sweat, might seem rather remarkable given the excruciating and unrelenting heat that has hovered over the Tampa Bay region this summer, Higgins has sufficient reason to be excited over the progress being made at USF. After all, he not only heads the athletic department as its CEO, but also graduated from the university. His interest in the school has roots that stretch to his youth when, speaking of sweat, he literally cleaned up after the basketball team. Frankly, that was a time in Higgins’ life that played no small part in adopting the core principles he abides by today in his leadership capacity. “We are always going to lead from the front and we’re always going to eat last,” said the 47-year-old Tampa native, who on September 9 will celebrate one year since his hiring, though he did not roll up his sleeves until October 1. “It’s a servant leadership that I learned as an eight-year-old kid cleaning the floors, doing the laundry, cleaning the locker room.”Though Higgins did not play intercollegiate athletics at USF, he is doing his darndest to raise the bar for those who do today and will tomorrow.“These amazing young men and women have all dreamed of playing college athletics,” said the former leader of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “They worked their butts off to get to this level. They have put a lot of time, energy and effort into training, practicing. Now, we as a team need to make sure we are meeting and exceeding those dreams. That’s truly what we’re focused on.” Such focus is evident in the hustle and bustle of construction workers and a seemingly endless parade of equipment moving the figurative mountains Higgins and his crew are ascending. Clock ticks toward USF stadium openerHiggins provided updates on USF’s football stadium, a venue that will seat 35,000 and for which the university’s board of trustees approved nearly $350 million in April 2025, and other projects that will account for a total tab north of $400 million. Speaking of tabs, the new home to the football program as well as what has been a very successful women’s lacrosse program, will feature what is billed as the Sunshine State’s longest rooftop bar. He noted the vantage point will allow sweeping views of the campus, including the many new features within the university’s athletic district. Perhaps that is why Higgins is experiencing the chills. “We’re focused on making sure our new stadium is a world-class experience for all involved,” said Higgins, noting that discussions on naming rights