Former USF coach Jim Leavitt settles for $2.75 million dollars
Yesterday, South Florida officials disappointingly dropped a $2.75 million dollar ball. If you don’t recall, former Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt was relieved of his duties back in January 2010, after allegations of player abuse. When the school completed its investigation, the top brass concluded Leavitt should be fired for choking, slapping and berating a player, walk-on Joel Miller, during halftime of the November 21st Louisville game.
Well Leavitt, in his backwards thinking, thought he was wrongfully terminated and did what any American would do, file a $7.1 million dollar lawsuit.
It appears the wrongful termination suit has finally settled, and the parties agreed on a $2.75 million dollar settlement. Clearly there were facts not made public because it seems absurd a school would pay anything to anyone who physically abused a student-athlete.
In the end, it’s a relatively small price to pay because Leavitt did turn USF from a nothing program to a competitive football team which ultimately brought, and to this day brings, millions to the university. Unfortunately, it all sends the wrong message to coaches and players that you will be rewarded, no matter what you do, as long as you win.
