Amarri: Leavitt 'looks like Freddy Krueger'

Football fans in Tampa are used to a scowling, face-contorting display of emotion on the sidelines, but Bucs coach Jon Gruden would be hard-pressed to keep up the facial frustration shown by USF coach Jim Leavitt through much of Thursday's loss to Rutgers.

"I don't know whose face is more crazy," receiver Amarri Jackson said. "Coach Gruden looks like Chucky, but I think Coach Leavitt looks like Freddy Krueger. At least Coach Leavitt will talk. I've seen Coach Gruden ball his face up and then he doesn't say anything."

Leavitt, questioned about criticism that his behavior on the sidelines went too far, was asked how he would describe his conduct during the game.

"Probably calm, with what I was really feeling inside," Leavitt said. "I'm a little bit surprised I was able to handle myself as well as I did. I'm an emotional guy. I'm not a guy that's going to be there and not react. ... I know sometimes it might not look real charming, but I'm going to battle for our players, and when I see things that I think are clearly ... I'm going to react, usually not as much, but it had built through three calls. I was at a point where I had had enough. ... There was more in me than that."

Leavitt said he's gotten some e-mails saying "watch your behavior" but also had many that liked the way he fought for his players.

"I wanted to make clear I wasn't real happy. ... You always want to be appropriate, I understand that about the national audience, all those types of things," Leavitt said. "I can't change who I am. I don't think you'll see that very often. There will be some people in the country that will be disappointed, but in 11 years, believe me, I've had people that are disappointed. I've made other mistakes. ... You just move forward and doing the things you think are right."

Comments

[Oldie Green and Goldie]

Keep up the great work Coach Leavitt. Get your act together Amarri. ESPN commentators stop saying that USF was coached to illegally throw the ball forward. Where was the flag when Rutgers swatted the ball forward after they blocked a field goal attempt? We only have to look at the UConn game to see how competent the officiating is. How did they get an apology from Tranghese? Must have connections.

[PAUL WALL]

they do post the video feed of some of the interviews from the press conference on www.usforacle.com ... fyi to others

[Lynn Swann]

Amari dropped a key pass in the West Va game, he dropped a TD pass in the UCF game and he dropped a big third down pass from Grothe in the Rutgers.

The Rutgers and West Va passes were crossing routes. He has what they call Aligator Arms

He needs to be evaluated. I think Carlton Mitchell is a much better WR.

[Windbane]

And btw, people, dropping a few passes doesn't mean Amarri has to not talk to the media. If I recall, Greg criticizes players for "ducking" the media. Amarri stood up for his coach and actually made a great comparison to Gruden and another villian in pop culture. He does look like Freddy, and I hope he keeps it up.

[Windbane]

VOR, shut the hell up. The Rutgers coach clearly yelled at at least his safety and last I checked it was a penalty to run on the field as a coach.

Coach Leavitt's passion drives our team. The announcers during the WVU game commented on the fact that our sideline was emotional and WVU's was not. That's a benefit not a detriment.

[Jim in Williamsburg, Va (Class of '68)]

Amarri Jackson needs to find the handle on the football before he earns the right to run his mouth again. He also needs to understand what offensive pass interference is. With Taurus out for a while, Jackson seriously needs to take up the slack and make a play once in a while...especially if he ever hopes to play on Sundays.
It might help Amarri to make sure his brain is running before he puts his mouth in gear...or tries to catch a football.

[VOR]

In MHO he did not represent USF well in this game. Half his oubursts seemed to be directed at his own players not the refs.
You had Shiano on one side chopping wood and Leavitt on the other throwing things and looking like he was about to pop.

ESPN pegged him that night as the "Bobby Knight" of college football.
NOT what you want to be known as especially to any potential recruits watching.
Then there was the case a few games back on TV where he grabed his players face mask and did'nt let go till he realized the cameras were probably on him.
He needs to calm down or he will have a stroke. He'll be useless to USF then.

[gdp]

I have aboslutely no problem with CJL's "antics" on the sidelines. To me it is no worse than Schiano's chubby run downfield or Joe Pa's dash to catch the refs after a PSU game several years ago.

Personally, I am surprised CJL didn't grab an official because I know I probably would have!

Personally I don't give a flying fonication about what OTHER fans think! If they don't like it then fine, quit watching USF football - no skin off my nose.

They make fun of CJL for running wind sprints before a game, they make fun of his facial expressions when he gets mad - but it is not like CJL is the only coach to show emotion about bad calls.

Fug 'em!!!

[nybullsfan]

Looks like CJL's leaving us AGAIN! This time for Texas A&M. Isn't it great to have a coach in such high demand!!

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=294125

[DELdaBULL]

Steve Stacy,

I love your posts, but Amarri has not done a thing on the field since U of L 2005 :(

[Rich]

I love Leavitt's passion but you can't lose your composure on a call like that. It seems as though this year Leavitt has been at his best when things go against us. He's there clapping his hands saying it's alright. Positively reinforcing a belief in our guys. He wasted his time fuming on the sidelines over a call that wasn't going to get reversed in our favor anyway.

He should have gotten fired up about the fact that we blocked a kick and had great field position. He was flustered and our offense acted that way when we took the field. That being said, everyone is human and I can only hope that he has learned from this mistake. That was a crucial point in the game and I think it would have done us more good if he acted like sometimes life doesn't go your way. That would have shown a trust in his offense to get out there and score despite the call.

Jeff Wagner is a prime example of facing adversity in one's life. How you react determines what type of man you are. You can say o.k. these are the cards I'm dealt and deal with it or you can piss and moan about how unfair life is.

[Zonald]

CJL has email? No way...

[Jerome]

I agree with both posts. Amarri should do less interviews and spend time catching balls after practice. He has so many gifts as an athlete, but catching the ball this year has been a big problem.

I also wouldn't want Coach Leavitt to act any other way. He is absolutely insane on the sidelines but his passion is contagious and I think he's awesome just the way he is.

[Steve Stacy]

I, for one, wouldn't want CJL to act any other way.

(I agree w/ the poster about Amarri, btw. Dude was a stud last year and drops everything this year.)

[Tylenol Cold and Flu]

Do you think Amari Jackson could catcha cold?

I have my doubts. His play this season has been dreadful. His job should be on the line. He has had a huge drop in 3 of the last 4 games.