Your post begs the important question of "Who is setting the bar at USF?" I think academically, most will agree that the bar has been raised and the university has earned and now benefits from the pre-eminence status, that began with the university raising the bar.
For athletics the answer to that question echoes a more nebulous answer. The administration caught lightning in a bottle with CJL and Selmon, and never capitalized on the momentum generated by football in the 2000's by investing in its future growth. Ever since the untimely and sad departure of these local heroes from the university, USF has paraded in a series of carpet-baggers with little-to-no ties to the community who are solely interested in cashing checks.
So again, I ask, who is setting he bar for USF athletics? Or are we lowering the bar to match the university's financial investment?