Jim Leavitt
Encyclopedia
Jim Leavitt is a former American football
player and current linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers
. He served at the head coach at the University of South Florida
from the football program's inception in 1997 until 2009, compiling a record of 95–57.
, and was a star quarterback
for Dixie Hollins High School. After graduating from high school, Leavitt pursued studies at the University of Missouri
, graduating in 1978. For the next two years, Leavitt worked as a graduate assistant
. He then left for the University of Dubuque
, where he spent two years as their football team's defensive coordinator
. Following his years there, he went to Morningside College
in 1982, spending one year as special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator. After a brief stint at the University of Iowa
where Leavitt pursued a doctorate degree in psychology, he followed Bill Snyder
to Kansas State University
in 1990. At Kansas State, Leavitt first spent two years as linebackers coach
then four more as defensive coordinator, leading the Wildcats
from relative obscurity to having a consistent, highly regarded defense.
. Leavitt signed his first class in 1996 for the first varsity season in 1997; all players redshirted
in 1996. The South Florida Bulls football
program began play as an independent at the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) level. After four seasons the program moved up to I-A (now FBS), also as an independent. After two years as an Division I-A independent, the Bulls joined Conference USA
, but stayed for only two seasons. The Bulls landed in their current home, the Big East Conference
, prior to the start of the 2005 season. In December 2005, after the team's first season as members of the Big East, Leavitt led the Bulls to their 100th game and first ever bowl game
at the Meineke Car Care Bowl
in Charlotte, North Carolina
. One year later, Leavitt led the team to its first ever bowl win in the PapaJohns.com Bowl
against the East Carolina Pirates
in Birmingham, Alabama
on December 23, 2006.
Even before Leavitt led the Bulls to a bowl game, there was a rumor that he was heavily courted by the University of Alabama
, where officials thought so highly of him that they sent him an offer and a contract to sign. He was also pursued by Kansas State after his mentor there, Bill Snyder
, stepped down. On both occasions, Leavitt chose to stay with the program he had created. The success of South Florida's 2006 season spawned yet another round of interest in Leavitt's services, as his name was mentioned in national publications as a candidate to replace Larry Coker
at the University of Miami
and Mike Shula
again at Alabama. Again, Leavitt expressed his desire and intent to stay with the program he established at South Florida and removed himself from consideration for those positions.
On September 16, 2007, Leavitt's Bulls
team cracked the top 25 in both major polls, entering the AP Poll
at #23 and the Coaches' Poll at #24, for the first time in the program's 11-year history. On September 28, Leavitt's Bulls stunned the #5 West Virginia Mountaineers
at Raymond James Stadium
for, perhaps, the biggest win thus far for the South Florida football program. South Florida's ascension into the top 25 from entry into I-A/FCS is the fastest in NCAA
history, surpassing Boise State
's rise by a mere seven weeks. The Bulls achieved another record on September 30 when they became the fastest program of the modern era to reach the top 10, landing at #6 in the AP Poll and #9 in the Coaches' Poll.
On October 14, South Florida received its first ever BCS
ranking as the #2 team in the nation behind only the Ohio State Buckeyes
. That week the team was also ranked #2 in the AP Poll and #3 in both the Coaches' and the Harris Interactive Poll
. That ranking lasted only one week as the Bulls lost to Rutgers
, 30–27, on October 18 in Piscataway, New Jersey.
On March 11, 2008, Leavitt signed a two-year extension to his original seven-year, $7 million contract that he signed in 2006. The new contract paid Leavitt $12.6 million for the 2008–14 seasons, with an annual starting salary of $1.5 million increasing by $100,000 each contract year. Leavitt's teams have consistently ranked among the national leaders in penalties.
On January 8, 2010, Leavitt was fired after an investigation by USF officials found that he had struck a player in the locker room during halftime of a game against Louisville
the previous November 21. Leavitt claimed he was merely trying to console the player and never struck him. School officials found that Leavitt was not truthful about what happened, and also found that he had interfered with the investigation. ESPN
's Ivan Maisel
reported that Leavitt's interference, which included telling several players and coaches to change their stories, was the biggest factor in the decision to fire him. The Tampa Tribune
reported that school president Judy Genshaft
and athletic director Doug Woolard felt they had no choice but to fire Leavitt after he refused to admit he had done anything wrong. Running backs coach Carl Franks
was named interim coach of the Bulls until January 14, 2010, when Skip Holtz
was hired as head coach.
On January 2011, a settlement of $2.75 million was reached between USF and Jim Leavitt. The settlement includes $2 million for "salary and benefits" as well as a payment of $750,000 "acknowledging Coach Leavitt's contributions to building USF's nationally respected football program."
to be the 49er's LB coach
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and current linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. He served at the head coach at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
from the football program's inception in 1997 until 2009, compiling a record of 95–57.
Early years
Leavitt grew up in St. Petersburg, FloridaSt. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, and was a star quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for Dixie Hollins High School. After graduating from high school, Leavitt pursued studies at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, graduating in 1978. For the next two years, Leavitt worked as a graduate assistant
Graduate assistant
A graduate assistant is a position who serves in a support role at a university, usually while completing post-graduate education. The individual typically assists professors or with instructional responsibilities as teaching assistants, coaches with an athletic team, or university department...
. He then left for the University of Dubuque
University of Dubuque
The University of Dubuque is a Presbyterian university located in Dubuque, Iowa, with a general attendance of approximately 1,600 students. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is one of three four-year post-secondary institutions in the City of Dubuque, and is...
, where he spent two years as their football team's defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
. Following his years there, he went to Morningside College
Morningside College
Morningside College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church located in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morningside College is a private, four-year, co-educational liberal arts institution. Morningside has 21 buildings on a ...
in 1982, spending one year as special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator. After a brief stint at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
where Leavitt pursued a doctorate degree in psychology, he followed Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder is the head football coach at Kansas State University. He was rehired to the position on November 24, 2008, making Snyder one of the rare college football head coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same school. Snyder previously served as head coach at the school from 1989 to...
to Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
in 1990. At Kansas State, Leavitt first spent two years as linebackers coach
Linebackers coach
A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker...
then four more as defensive coordinator, leading the Wildcats
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
from relative obscurity to having a consistent, highly regarded defense.
South Florida
On December 12, 1995, Leavitt was hired as head coach for the new football team at the University of South FloridaUniversity of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
. Leavitt signed his first class in 1996 for the first varsity season in 1997; all players redshirted
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
in 1996. The South Florida Bulls football
South Florida Bulls football
The South Florida Bulls are a Division I FBS college football program that plays its home games in Tampa, Florida. The team began playing in 1997, holding its first team meeting under a shade tree as the school had no proper football facilities on campus...
program began play as an independent at the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) level. After four seasons the program moved up to I-A (now FBS), also as an independent. After two years as an Division I-A independent, the Bulls joined Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
, but stayed for only two seasons. The Bulls landed in their current home, the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
, prior to the start of the 2005 season. In December 2005, after the team's first season as members of the Big East, Leavitt led the Bulls to their 100th game and first ever bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
at the Meineke Car Care Bowl
2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2005 edition to the Meineke Car Care Bowl featured the , and the NC State Wolfpack. The game was the fourth edition to this bowl game, as well as the only shutout in the game's history. The game was played on Saturday, December 31, 2005 and kickoff was at 11:00 AM EST...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. One year later, Leavitt led the team to its first ever bowl win in the PapaJohns.com Bowl
2006 PapaJohns.com Bowl
The 2006 PapaJohns.com Bowl was the inaugural postseason college football match of the game, between the East Carolina Pirates and the South Florida Bulls at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. East Carolina University represented Conference USA and the University of South Florida represented the...
against the East Carolina Pirates
2006 East Carolina Pirates football team
-Schedule:...
in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
on December 23, 2006.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, where officials thought so highly of him that they sent him an offer and a contract to sign. He was also pursued by Kansas State after his mentor there, Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder is the head football coach at Kansas State University. He was rehired to the position on November 24, 2008, making Snyder one of the rare college football head coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same school. Snyder previously served as head coach at the school from 1989 to...
, stepped down. On both occasions, Leavitt chose to stay with the program he had created. The success of South Florida's 2006 season spawned yet another round of interest in Leavitt's services, as his name was mentioned in national publications as a candidate to replace Larry Coker
Larry Coker
Larry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami...
at the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
and Mike Shula
Mike Shula
Mike Shula is an American football quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, an NFL team. Between 2003 and 2006, he was the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program.- Early life :...
again at Alabama. Again, Leavitt expressed his desire and intent to stay with the program he established at South Florida and removed himself from consideration for those positions.
On September 16, 2007, Leavitt's Bulls
2007 South Florida Bulls football team
The 2007 University of South Florida Bulls football team represented the University of South Florida in the 2007 college football season. Their head coach was Jim Leavitt, and the USF Bulls will played all of their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL...
team cracked the top 25 in both major polls, entering the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
at #23 and the Coaches' Poll at #24, for the first time in the program's 11-year history. On September 28, Leavitt's Bulls stunned the #5 West Virginia Mountaineers
2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team
The 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers football team began play on September 1, 2007. The team was coached by Rich Rodriguez until he announced on December 16, 2007 that he was leaving West Virginia to coach the Michigan Wolverines. The head coaching position remained vacant after his announcement,...
at Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
for, perhaps, the biggest win thus far for the South Florida football program. South Florida's ascension into the top 25 from entry into I-A/FCS is the fastest in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
history, surpassing Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
's rise by a mere seven weeks. The Bulls achieved another record on September 30 when they became the fastest program of the modern era to reach the top 10, landing at #6 in the AP Poll and #9 in the Coaches' Poll.
On October 14, South Florida received its first ever BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
ranking as the #2 team in the nation behind only the Ohio State Buckeyes
2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of the Ohio State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio...
. That week the team was also ranked #2 in the AP Poll and #3 in both the Coaches' and the Harris Interactive Poll
Harris Interactive College Football Poll
The Harris Interactive College Football Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football teams. The rankings are compiled by Harris Interactive, a market research company that specializes in Internet research....
. That ranking lasted only one week as the Bulls lost to Rutgers
2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
For the first time in the history of Rutgers football, the team entered a season ranked - 16th in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with an 8-5 record that included a 52-30 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in the 2008 International Bowl...
, 30–27, on October 18 in Piscataway, New Jersey.
On March 11, 2008, Leavitt signed a two-year extension to his original seven-year, $7 million contract that he signed in 2006. The new contract paid Leavitt $12.6 million for the 2008–14 seasons, with an annual starting salary of $1.5 million increasing by $100,000 each contract year. Leavitt's teams have consistently ranked among the national leaders in penalties.
On January 8, 2010, Leavitt was fired after an investigation by USF officials found that he had struck a player in the locker room during halftime of a game against Louisville
2009 Louisville Cardinals football team
The 2009 Louisville Cardinals football team represented the University of Louisville in the college football season of 2009–2010. The Cardinals were coached by Steve Kragthorpe, who was in his third season at Louisville. The Cardinals played their home games at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. The...
the previous November 21. Leavitt claimed he was merely trying to console the player and never struck him. School officials found that Leavitt was not truthful about what happened, and also found that he had interfered with the investigation. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Ivan Maisel
Ivan Maisel
Ivan Maisel is a senior writer for ESPN, covering college football. He has been at ESPN since 2002, but had occasional appearances on the network before then....
reported that Leavitt's interference, which included telling several players and coaches to change their stories, was the biggest factor in the decision to fire him. The Tampa Tribune
The Tampa Tribune
The Tampa Tribune, published in Tampa, Florida, is one of two major newspapers published in the Tampa Bay area, second in circulation and readership to the St. Petersburg Times. The paper's tagline is "Life...
reported that school president Judy Genshaft
Judy Genshaft
Judy Lynn Genshaft is an American educator and university administrator. She is the current president of the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida....
and athletic director Doug Woolard felt they had no choice but to fire Leavitt after he refused to admit he had done anything wrong. Running backs coach Carl Franks
Carl Franks
-External links:*...
was named interim coach of the Bulls until January 14, 2010, when Skip Holtz
Skip Holtz
Louis Leo "Skip" Holtz, Jr. is the head coach of the University of South Florida football team. For the previous five years, he served as the head coach of the East Carolina University football team...
was hired as head coach.
On January 2011, a settlement of $2.75 million was reached between USF and Jim Leavitt. The settlement includes $2 million for "salary and benefits" as well as a payment of $750,000 "acknowledging Coach Leavitt's contributions to building USF's nationally respected football program."
San Francisco 49ers
Coach Leavitt was hired to his first NFL coaching job when he was hired by Jim HarbaughJim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
to be the 49er's LB coach