Leavitt clocks in at 5.72

Posted Apr 9, 2009 by Gregg Becnel

Updated Apr 9, 2009 at 03:45 PM

University of South Florida coach Jim Leavitt achieved his goal of running a sub six-second 40-yard dash Thursday at USF’s practice field.

As part of a promotion for Saturday’s Spring Game, Leavitt ran a 5.72 40 after changing the direction of his run so he could have the wind at his back.

“That was one of the most exciting moments of my life,” Leavitt joked afterward. “I was feeling it right after about the second or third yard. When I came out of my stance I knew I was in trouble. … I’m glad we only ran one. I don’t know if I could do two or three; that might be tough.”

Twenty one of the 22 students who ran the 40 in last week’s preliminaries had faster times than the 52-year old coach.

“We do it just to have fun and hopefully people could have some fun with it,” Leavitt said. “And if there are any students that can’t beat that then they really need to decide what they want to do in life.”

The students whose times were faster than Leavitt’s will receive a free “Faster Than Coach Leavitt” t-shirt.