TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A person familiar with the decision says Skip Holtz has been fired as South Florida's football coach following the worst season in the program's 16-year history.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the firing would not be announced until a late afternoon news conference.

The son of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz went 16-21 at the Big East school, concluding a three-year run by losing nine of 10 to finish 3-9, 1-6 in the conference, following a 2-0 start.

The move comes a year after Holtz was given a contract extension through 2017 despite going 5-7 in his second season. He will receive a $2.5 million buyout paid over five years.