Your repeated denials of this conduct are noted; however, as indicated in the report, your description of your conduct toward the student athlete in question was consistently uncorroborated by credible witnesses, and in fact contradicted by a number of credible witnesses found to be in the best position to observe your conduct. USF is forced to conclude that your statements to the reviewers are not credible given the consistent lack of corroboration and frequent contradictions between your version of the events in question and those of credible witnesses. USF's conclusion as to the credibility of the statements you made to the reviewers makes your conduct all the more serious.
Fanhouse is reporting that Leavitt, will receive one month's salary as severance, or $133,333.33. He was in the second year of a seven-year, $12.6 million contract.
The Tribune's Joe Henderson, in a think piece, writes:
A lot of people would say this day was inevitable, that Leavitt's antics – head-butts, slamming head-first into lockers, running around on the sidelines like some out-of-control maniac. We've seen his forehead bloodied from these collisions and I think anyone being honest would say they do believe it's possible he did what was alleged.
He could be a bully, vindictive, and he was a control freak to the highest degree.
A point of personal opinion here. I've read Tribune and St. Pete Times stories about some of Leavitt's head-butts, and frankly was appalled to read them written without elaboration, as if this was something most other college coaches do. Forgive me, but I've never read or heard of Urban Meyer or Nick Saban doing such things, ever. Woody Hayes or Frank Kush, yeah, back in the day (re: 1970s). The fact that local sportswriters would describe those actions just as "that's our crazy, super intense local coach" always struck me as odd.
Other than that, the story speaks for itself. Many will probably rush to Leavitt's side and think he's been railroaded.
The Bulls won their Bowl game last weekend in Toronto, but for the 3rd consecutive season, seemed to burn out after getting off to a dynamic start. I've heard many people in the region say recently that because he took the team from literally nowhere to being a respected Bowl worthy team, he should be immune from too much criticism.
I say nonsense. Much respect must be given. But folks, this is Florida, one of the hot beds of high school football. One reason USF was able to become relatively good relatively fast, is that the school was able to pick off local kids who in past years would attend Florida, Florida State, Miami, or somewhere out of state. A solid coach with any decent recruiting skills can keep to the program moving forward. To think otherwise is foolhardy
Download
the report here.
