Leavitt unchanged: 'Same old Jimmy'
I don't think I've heard anyone call Jim Leavitt "Jimmy" since I interviewed his parents back in 2004. Of course, Steve Duemig does that, but he does that with lots of people for some reason. Leavitt's friend Ron Helinger said that Sunday morning as we talked about the coach's new WaveRunner, part of a story that ran on the front page of Monday's Times. It's now six days until players report, with the first practice less than a week away. I'm thinking about breaking down one position each day the rest of the week, just to generate a little conversation. ...
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Duemig does that so that his listeners get the impression that he's close, personal friend. In reality, I wouldn't doubt that they've never actually met, except the very rare radio interview.
Duemig couldn't seem to care less about USF athletics, or have any expertise beyond golf, hockey and sports betting.
Posted by: RTB | July 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM
It's really rare that I have to pull comments from the blog, but one of the things they specifically point out on the left of this page is impersonating someone. I post comments on other blogs and know the frustration of having a comment pulled, but if you just follow the guidelines on the left, this will continue to be a forum we all can enjoy. thanks.
Posted by: G.A. | July 30, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Is there a way we can get permanent handles? I comment from several computers- work, home, and USF library (because I work so hard when I'm there), and I've noticed there is another Dave sometimes (not often, it normally is me) and there also is a "Dav." Or does that turn this into a message board?
Posted by: Dave | July 30, 2007 at 12:15 PM
A UCF'r screening test would be a nice ...
Posted by: Brian | July 30, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Any insight as to why Dan McCarney was willing to drop from a Head Coach to D-Line coach? Is there a chance he may be the next USF coach?
Posted by: Confused | July 30, 2007 at 01:02 PM
McCarney was out of work, making enough money that he didn't need to rush into another head coaching job in a situation he didn't find ideal. He's had a vacation home in the greater Tampa area, has had a great relationship with Leavitt dating back to 1989 and is the best defensive line coach Leavitt has worked with. I fully believe he'll be back as a head coach in the next year or two, but I don't expect it to be at USF.
Posted by: G.A. | July 30, 2007 at 01:10 PM
I don't think we can do permanent handles. Heck, I don't have one. That said, if you're a regular on here and somebody comments using your name, I can sympathize. There's more than one Dave out there (and a few Realitys, it seems) so maybe we can use a first name and initial. Helped me a lot in first grade, anyway. Again, glad to have all the comments.
Posted by: Greg A. | July 30, 2007 at 01:14 PM
duemig doesnt like USF athletics for good reason.. as i recall, a couple (or a few) years back, leavitt snub the media and did not show up for a scheduled appointment. writers from as far as sarasota drove all the way down to USF and he did not show up. that is one way of not building the correct relationships with the local area.
Posted by: cee | July 30, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Cee, I think I know the event you're trying to remember, and can assure you Duemig wasn't there. The first time he shows up in person to ask questions of a USF coach, I'll let you know.
Posted by: G.A. | July 30, 2007 at 02:29 PM
I think McCarney is an ideal situation- near his home and in a no-pressure job. He's got a lot of talent to work with, and he's known for getting the most of out of his players (how else do you win at ISU when Iowa's winning at the same time?) So McCarney will produce an outstanding D-Line this year while relaxing from the pressures of head coaching (I'm not saying he won't work hard, I know he will, I'm saying that he's not the man ultimately responsible anymore- a big relief for anyone). At the end of the year, he'll pick and choose from 100 job offers for HC and DC positions. He landed on his feat and will help USF out a great deal, I think, even if he only stays for a year.
Posted by: Dave | July 30, 2007 at 02:39 PM
I hope McCarney is training his eventual successor.
Posted by: Claudel | July 30, 2007 at 03:01 PM
Duemig only knows about going to the Courtside grill,smoking, getting hammered and golf. He knows Little to nothing about horse racing, God rest Chris Thomas' soul, he was the brains of that place, and the station has never been the same. Poor Derek Sharp and Pawlowski having to actually work there, when they are better than everyone they have to work for....
Posted by: Reality | July 30, 2007 at 03:45 PM