For the first time since he was fired by South Florida last Friday, former head coach Jim Leavitt spoke publicly. And, based on his comments, he’s not completely closing the USF door without getting a few swings in first.
And engaging in a battle to get his job back as well.
In a press conference held this afternoon, Leavitt once again vehemently denied striking a player in the face, an incident that led to an internal investigation and ultimately cost him his job.
“The allegations are misreported,” Leavitt said according to the St. Petersburg Times. “I’ve said that from Day 1. ... I want to coach this football team. ...
“I’m going to fight for it because I know what’s right.”
Leavitt has hired an attorney, who said the school’s actions were “contrary to the terms of his contract and in violation of his constitutional rights.”
In response to Leavitt hiring an attorney and taking part in a press conference, the school released their own statement that they stand by the findings of the investigation.
“The University of South Florida stands by its review and the findings from that review. We believe the reviewers, both internal and external, were fair, thorough and professional in finding that the head coach crossed a line in terms of his conduct. As the president said on Friday, this is a sad turn of events. Jim Leavitt worked hard for 14 years at USF, and it is disappointing.”
It seems highly, highly unlikely that Leavitt would be able to get his job back regardless of how much he wants it. That bridge has been burnt, rebuilt, and burnt again for good measure.
However, as he was fired with cause, he is not entitled to any money from the school, other than one-month’s pay, that’s left on a long-term deal. The legal process could allow him to recoup some of the money that would’ve been owed to him if he were to have been fired without cause, but it seems virtually impossible that he would ever stalk the USF sidelines ever again.
