Jim Leavitt has been fired as South Florida's football coach, sources close to the coaching staff have told ESPN.com.
Leavitt
Leavitt has been under investigation by the university for allegedly grabbing and striking special teams player Joel Miller at halftime of a November game against Louisville.
A South Florida staff member told ESPN's Joe Schad that a staff meeting has been called for noon ET Friday, at which time the entire coaching staff will be officially fired. A meeting with the players is not expected.
The allegations against Leavitt originally were made by Joel Miller's father, Paul, in an online report. Paul Miller has backtracked from original comments that alluded to contact Leavitt allegedly made with his son's neck and face.
Last month, Joel Miller said allegations that he was physically harmed by Leavitt were not true.
"I don't think anything should happen to him," Miller told Schad on Dec. 16. "Me and Coach Leavitt are fine. People can say different things but he only grabbed my shoulder pads to motivate me, because he's a passionate guy. He never apologized because he had nothing to apologize for."
South Florida said the findings of its investigation into the alleged incident will be discussed at a 12:30 p.m. ET news conference. In its statement, the university did not address Leavitt's status as coach.
Leavitt is the latest coach to be linked to supposed mistreatment of players. A family's complaint about how Mike Leach treated their son after a concussion ultimately led to Leach's recent firing by Texas Tech, and Mark Mangino resigned at Kansas in December amid allegations that he mistreated his players.
Miller told Schad last month that he plans to remain with South Florida's program.
"It's been real hard especially on my family," Miller said. "But my plan is to stay and play here."
Florida defensive line coach Dan McCarney, former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville -- who has strong ties in the state from his tenure on Miami's coaching staff -- and Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee are expected to be candidates to replace Leavitt, a source told ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel.
Leavitt
Leavitt has been under investigation by the university for allegedly grabbing and striking special teams player Joel Miller at halftime of a November game against Louisville.
A South Florida staff member told ESPN's Joe Schad that a staff meeting has been called for noon ET Friday, at which time the entire coaching staff will be officially fired. A meeting with the players is not expected.
The allegations against Leavitt originally were made by Joel Miller's father, Paul, in an online report. Paul Miller has backtracked from original comments that alluded to contact Leavitt allegedly made with his son's neck and face.
Last month, Joel Miller said allegations that he was physically harmed by Leavitt were not true.
"I don't think anything should happen to him," Miller told Schad on Dec. 16. "Me and Coach Leavitt are fine. People can say different things but he only grabbed my shoulder pads to motivate me, because he's a passionate guy. He never apologized because he had nothing to apologize for."
South Florida said the findings of its investigation into the alleged incident will be discussed at a 12:30 p.m. ET news conference. In its statement, the university did not address Leavitt's status as coach.
Leavitt is the latest coach to be linked to supposed mistreatment of players. A family's complaint about how Mike Leach treated their son after a concussion ultimately led to Leach's recent firing by Texas Tech, and Mark Mangino resigned at Kansas in December amid allegations that he mistreated his players.
Miller told Schad last month that he plans to remain with South Florida's program.
"It's been real hard especially on my family," Miller said. "But my plan is to stay and play here."
Florida defensive line coach Dan McCarney, former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville -- who has strong ties in the state from his tenure on Miami's coaching staff -- and Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee are expected to be candidates to replace Leavitt, a source told ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel.
