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Miller speaks, Leavitt’s stance remains same

Posted Dec 17, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 17, 2009 at 05:12 PM

USF football coach Jim Leavitt directed practice Thursday as usual less than 12 hours after Joel Miller’s first public comments since an alleged incident between Leavitt and Miller during halftime of the Nov. 21 game against Louisiville surfaced on ESPN.

Miller spoke to ESPN on Wednesday night, telling reporter Joe Schad that he has no issues with Leavitt and that the incident was overblown in the media. Miller said Leavitt never grabbed him by the throat or struck him in the face.

When asked if he was relieved to hear that Miller finally spoke publicly, here is what Leavitt said following Thursday’s practice:

“I haven’t changed my stance from Day 1,’’ Leavitt said. “I came out strong of where I’m at. That’s not going to change ... because that’s the way it is.’‘

Leavitt said he’ll remain “patient’’ as USF’s investigation unfolds and that he’ll focus on practice as the Bulls prepare to face Northern Illinois in the International Bowl on Jan. 2 in Toronto.

By the way, Leavitt also talked some football Thursday and discussed the status of several key players who have been battling injuries. I’ll have a report in Friday’s Tampa Tribune that I’ll post on the blog later.

Reader Comments

Por (Dan Alatorre) on December 17, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I have an idea how this is going to end. Say the investigators talk to all present during Lville halftime. Leavitt says it didn’t happen, and the kid has publicy & according to the kid, privately told the investigator that it didn’t happen. But the investigation interviews 95 more people who were present at halftime and 3 say they saw Leavitt hit the kid. THAT is a quandry. Are the 3 lying? The kid himself says it didn’t happen. So, if the kid won’t say it happened, the investigation recommendsd a reprimand but not a termination - thus leaving EVERYONE unhappy with the result. I think that’s what we can expect from a school who was afraid to fire a terrorist a few years ago, so you can bet they’ll have a bad result with this.

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Por (Dan Alatorre) on December 17, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Now, there is some merit to the discussion that Leavitt has taken the program as far as he can. I disagree. But I think he would have coached a few more years, improved the team somewhat within the Big East, and then decided to retire, and the next guy can take the program to the next level - provided that the next guy gets the necessary funding to do so. Otherwise, we’re doomed for 5 years. Forget Gruden and those guys, but if Edsall can do it at Uconn and Kelly can do it at Cincy and Schiano can do it at Rutgers for gods sake, we should be able to do it here. I think Leavitt CAN, but if not, a few years from now we need a nationwide manhunt for the guy who can.

Who would you choose?

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Por (rashad) on December 17, 2009 (Suggest removal)

the guy i wanted just took the job at louisville

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Por (USF99) on December 18, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Tuberville

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Por (Dan Alatorre) on December 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

yeah, TT’s gonna leave his cush gig in AL and TV to come to the team that humiliated him! For less money!

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Por (USF99) on December 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Actually, Leavitt’s salary is about $300 more than Tubberville’s was at Auburn; and Tubberville has been very public about wanting to get back in to coaching - i believe he just put his name in the hat for the kansas job, he’s also expressed interest in UCF.

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Por (Dan Alatorre) on December 19, 2009 (Suggest removal)

It would be ironic, though, wouldn’t it? I always respected Tuberville. Good coach. but you never know what a coach really makes, because they have their base, plus their radio deal their tv deal, their car and house and clothing deal, plus bonuses for bowl wins and stuff, on and on. BUT, if he went to UCF I could see us losing to them in a few years. Can’t have that. It will be interesting who is interested in USF when the time comes!

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Por (tws3) on December 22, 2009 (Suggest removal)

I think Brett McMurphy’s reporting is horrible. A few years back he got Cardieri fired with an article that had all anonymous quotes from players. If a man is to cowardly to associate his name than it should not be published

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Por (Hector Jimenez) on December 24, 2009 (Suggest removal)

Dan….if CJL were to leave, I would go after a less fiery figure, someone like P. Fulmer.  Don’t know what he is doing now but he is a proven winner and recruiter.

However, if CJL were to be let go after a few more years then Fulmer would not be my guy any longer.  I would then try to go after BSU’s Petersen or for a real long shot, why not the coach at NAVY, Paul Johnson disciple.  If the 3-option can work in the ACC….I am sure it work in the BE with FL speed.

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