Leavitt to fans: 'It's amazing to me'

USF coach Jim Leavitt said he was moved by the strong showing of fans for Sunday's Fan Fest event at Raymond James Stadium, where he signed autographs with players for more than two hours.

"It's amazing to me how nice they are. I sit under a tent, and I can't tell you how many people would say 'We appreciate you being out here,''' Leavitt said. "The only thing I kept thinking about is that I'm sitting in the shade, people are bringing me water and iced tea. I'm signing a football. How hard is that? It isn't hard. They're standing in line for 45 minutes in the sun, and saying 'Thank you' to me? ... No need to be thanking me. I appreciate you being out there."

DEPTH CHARGE: Leavitt said he's encouraged by his team's depth, evident in the number of starting positions still up for grabs. "We've got more competition going on right now than I've seen in a while," Leavitt said. "I mean, real competition."

Leavitt pointed to defensive line, where All-American end George Selvie is certainly a lock, but the Bulls are considering several combinations for the remaining three positions. Monday's morning practice saw three newcomers -- sophomores David Bedford and Craig Marshall and freshman Cory Grissom -- working with the second unit and challenging projected starters.

RECOVERING: First-year defensive line coach John Hendrick, who has not been with the team since suffering a heart attack in early July, said Monday he hopes to rejoin the team this week if he is cleared by a specialist today.

Hendrick said he feels good and has been cleared for light exercise such as brisk walking. It's unclear to what extent he would resume coaching duties once he rejoins the staff; first-year defensive ends coach Kevin Patrick has worked with the entire front four in Hendrick's absence.

Comments

[steve oneal]

I was thinking on the way home from fan day, how lucky we are to have gotten such a great coach right from the start. I doubt the program would be were it is now without CJL. GO BULLS!!

[Matthew Yoder]

"The Jim" Leavitt is the man. How lucky are we alumni to have such a great coach right out of the gate. There are universities out there that have been playing football for longer than USF has existed that are still waiting for coach like him. He stands for all that college athletics is supposed to be and I am proud to have him wear the green and gold.

[Da Truth...]

Robinson's 'less impressive' has nothing to do with play on the field and everything to do with attitude, and his total absence from summer workouts and conditioning. His lack of effort would mean he would be no more effective at End then LB. If he put in the requisite time Robinson might be the best LB on the team.

There's still time but that means he needs to put the effort in now, too, after practice, before practice. In big time football there are no shortcuts.

[G.A.]

Robinson was a third-down pass-rusher as a redshirt freshman in 2006. Suppose it's an option, but USF has decent depth at defensive end as well.

[Steve Stacy]

Greg,
Didn't Robinson play end a little bit in 2006? Since he seems to be less than impressive to coaches at LB so far this year, why not give him a shot at DE?

[DELdaBULL]

CJL is pretty awesome.

[Mike Lakeland]

CJL is pure clutch, that's for sure. UCF fans may rag on him for dressing up like a Beef Stud at a basketball game or his sideline antics during the football season, but at least we know our coach is alive (and sober).

Coach Leavitt - you only have to shake hands with George O'Leary one more time. And then we can get on with more important things. Like Western Kentucky and Ball State...

[Adam]

CJL is a class act. How many people have the opportunity to turn a no-name university into a University that the nation now recognizes just by the athletics logo? Sure, we had solid academics and plenty of research funding before football, but still, no one knew anything about USF.

CJL and this football program have brought a ton of pride to Tampa and the University of South Florida. For that, fans will continue to say "Thank You" to Coach Leavitt.