There is reason for optimism in Huntsville as head coach Phil Longo enters Year 2 with Sam Houston. For one, the Bearkats will play home games at a renovated Bowers Stadium after playing what amounted to 12 road games last year. They also return over 40 players, including starting quarterback Landyn Locke, from last year’s squad that are already familiar with how Longo & Co. operate.
There is also money. Sam Houston spent over $80 million over the last few years because of the move to the FBS and the Bowers renovations and that left virtually no money for revenue sharing in Year 1. Longo says the Bearkats are now competitive from a budget standpoint in Conference USA and that means the portal haul this year is much better than it was heading into 2025.