In a dramatic fall from grace, former University of South Florida head football coach Jim Leavitt has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The 67-year-old was arrested in Ocala, Florida, on serious charges of battery and theft, marking a startling chapter in the career of the once-revered programme builder.
The incident, which unfolded on a Tuesday, is reported to have stemmed from a domestic altercation. According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office arrest report, the dispute allegedly turned physical, culminating in Leavitt being accused of striking a woman and subsequently preventing her from using her mobile phone to call for assistance.
The situation escalated further when Leavitt is alleged to have taken the woman's phone and car keys, effectively stranding her. This combination of events led to his formal arrest on one count of battery and one count of theft of less than $100.
Leavitt, who is widely credited as the founding father of the USF Bulls football programme, was processed at the Marion County Jail before being released the same day on a $1,000 bond. The conditions of his release standard for such charges, but the incident casts a long shadow over his legacy.
Best known for his transformative tenure at USF from 1997 to 2009, Leavitt was the architect who built the team from its inception into a nationally ranked contender. His subsequent coaching career included defensive coordinator roles with several National Football League teams and a stint as the head coach at Oregon University.
This legal entanglement presents a significant personal and professional challenge for the coach, with potential implications for his future in football. The case remains active, with the sporting world watching closely as developments unfold.
