Holtz Says Miller Remains on Team

Posted Jan 16, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jan 16, 2010 at 06:12 PM

The most famous walk-on player in USF history—sophomore running back Joel Miller—remains a member of the football team and will be evaluated like every other player on the roster according to new head coach Skip Holtz.

Miller is at the center of a controversy that led to the firing of Jim Leavitt on Jan. 8.

After a FanHouse.com report detailed an alleged incident between Leavitt and Miller at halftime of the Nov. 21 game against Louisville, USF launched an investigation that concluded Leavitt grabbed Miller by the throat and slapped him twice in the face. Leavitt was fired and Miller, who admits he lied to investigators to protect Leavitt, is now demanding a public apology and threatening a civil lawsuit if his former coach doesn’t issue an apology.

Meanwhile, Miller’s new coach said the former Wharton High standout remains on the team and will be given every chance to continue his career.

“Right now, he’s part of this team,’’ Holtz said Saturday. “We’ll turn and go forward with it. If it creates problems or distractions to where it takes away from this team or what we’re trying to do, then we’ll have to re-evaluate it. But right now with where we are, he’s part of this program. He’s part of this team.’‘

Holtz is aware of the ongoing public soap opera being staged by the attorneys for Miller and Leavitt, but he says Miller and every other player on the Bulls’ roster gets a fresh start.

“What has gone on here has gone on here,’’ Holtz said. “I can’t control it. I’m certainly not looking to turn and make decisions based on what happened before I got here. As I told the players, everybody starts with a clean slate. We’ll go from here forward.’’