Former USF football coach facing theft, battery charges
- Former USF football coach Jim Leavitt allegedly grabbed a woman’s arm and stole her purse and wallet.
- Leavitt was the first head football coach at USF and is scheduled to be inducted into the school’s hall of fame.
- Leavitt was previously fired from USF in 2010 for allegedly hitting a player.
Former University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt is facing theft and battery charges after police in Florida say an argument with an ex-girlfriend turned physical.
Leavitt, 68, was arrested Monday, Aug. 25 after an altercation at an apartment complex, according to a St. Petersburg Police report.
Leavitt is accused of grabbing the woman’s arm as she tried to walk away from him. He’s also accused of taking the woman’s Louis Vuitton purse and wallet, valued at $5000, and not returning them. Leavitt was charged with felony grand theft, along with misdemeanor counts of simple battery and domestic battery.
Leavitt was the first head coach when the USF Bulls football program was established in 1997, and he led the team to a No. 2 national ranking in 2007.
The winningest coach in school history at 95-57, Leavitt is scheduled to be inducted into the USF athletics hall of fame in October. The school released a statement saying it was aware of the situation, but didn’t say if the charges would affect the induction.
Leavitt was fired in 2010 after an investigation determined he hit a player during halftime of a game in 2009. He later served as linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers and a defensive coach for several college teams.
