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If You Had an Opening, Would You Consider Hiring Leavitt?
Posted Jan 20, 2010 by Scott Carter
Updated Jan 20, 2010 at 09:35 PM
When Oklahoma defensive line coach Carl Wilson left to join Mississippi State’s staff last weekend, one of the first names to surface as a possible replacement was former USF coach Jim Leavitt.
Click here if you want to read more about Leavitt’s name being dropped into the mix at Oklahoma.
Houston assistant Jim Jeffcoat withdrew his name for the position, leaving former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and Leavitt as the two most prominent names on Sooners coach Bob Stoops’ list of candidates.
However, here’s my question: If you are Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione and Stoops comes into your office and says Leavitt is his top choice, what would you say?
Considering Leavitt’s exit at USF, there would be ample criticism aimed at Oklahoma for hiring Leavitt under the current circumstances. Then again, he is a proven coach and considered an excellent defensive mind.
The same debate came up on a few message boards when former USF assistant and current Florida assistant coach Dan McCarney surfaced as a potential candidate at USF.
McCarney is well-liked and a key part of Urban Meyer’s staff at Florida, but with USF trying to move past the ugly end of Leavitt’s tenure, many questioned whether USF should entertain the thoughts of hiring a coach who once had a well-publicized altercation with his wife that caused concerns during his stint as head coach at Iowa State.
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Reader Comments
Por (Rocky) on January 20, 2010 (Suggest removal)
Jim needs to put a little time between this situation and his next challenge.
Suggest removalHe’s a proven winner. Loved by his players. Has unending energy. He too succumbed to the pressures of college football. Not the first. Won’t be the last. He’ll regroup and be even better.
At this time next year, maybe a bit earlier, he’ll be in demand and he’ll once again prove his worth.
Por (Sam) on January 20, 2010 (Suggest removal)
If I was Stoops, I’d hire Leavitt. He could recruit exclusively in Florida and he is a proven winner. Despite his reasons for having to leave, they are still alleged. He has not been proven quilty in a court of law and until he is, he still should be given some sort of benefit to the doubt. Let’s not forget that Stoops will remain the Head Coach and the buck will stop with him. He would have to ensure that he has control over both his players and his coaches.
Suggest removalPor (Dan Alatorre) on January 21, 2010 (Suggest removal)
Sure. A little anger management and some humble pie and he’s good to go. Or if he gets any kind of settlement out of USF he can claim victory and regain his credibility. Personally, I don’t think his ability to recruit is as good as his ability to build a program; he could consult for serious $$$ to schools in need of a football program and facilities.
Suggest removalPor (Terry_Lucas) on January 21, 2010 (Suggest removal)
It’s a no-brainer on Leavitt’s part here Scott. Lee Roy Selmon is a legend at OU. If Lee Roy endorses Leavitt, OU will hire Leavitt. Just like Dungy took Vick under his wing, Leavitt should speak with Lee Roy to see if he would willingly take the same role (and the St. Pete Times would definitely go public with it). Considering the relationship they’ve built up over the last 14 years, it would be a no-brainer. Just my two cents with a subtle jab at the UF beat writer for USF who appears to be the godfather for Leavitt’s kid (that’s you Auman).
Suggest removalPor (Dan Alatorre) on January 21, 2010 (Suggest removal)
Wow, Terry, I never thought of that aspect. You’re right. Great observation.
Suggest removalPor (KoozeeKingdom) on January 24, 2010 (Suggest removal)
In a heartbeat.
That would be a great move for Oklahoma. Those fans aren’t going to care about an alleged slapping of a player. Oklahoma’s players are tough. The fans want to win and getting Leavitt would be like getting a CEO to fill a vice president position. Leavitt and Stoops have always had a great relationship since working together back in the day. Leavitt could lay low there for a few seasons, then take over some other program once the McMurphyGate dust settles.
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