Leavitt has another jab for Rodriguez

It's clear that USF coach Jim Leavitt has a special place for Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who dropped to 2-4 in his first season in Ann Arbor after losing to Toledo at home on Saturday.

Leavitt took a shot at Rodriguez back in July, saying USF ought to schedule Michigan after beating Rodriguez's West Virginia teams two years in a row. On Monday, he had another comment about Rodriguez, talking about how upsets -- like his own team's loss to Pittsburgh in its last game -- can happen anywhere.

"Who would have thought Toledo would go in and beat Michigan, with Rich Rodriguez and all his infamous wisdom, whatever it is there," Leavitt said. "Who really would have thought that? My point is that you've got to be ready at any time to play. It doesn't matter if Michigan is putting in a new offense or not, you would think the talent level would be a little bit different. It showed Toledo played with so much heart and desire and all that. Teams are good everywhere. Look at how we struggled with FIU, look at us and Pittsburgh, they come down here, and you'd think everything would be in our favor, at night, and they outplayed us. You don't know. You have to play extremely well for 60 minutes of football, or you're liable to get beat. ... The days of one team that's going to completely dominate the Earth are probably gone."

You can watch video of Leavitt's post-practice comments on USF's official site -- the aforementioned part is around four minutes into the clip.

Comments

[Marty]

Jim Leavitt ought to keep his mouth shut, considering he has a losing record against UConn!

[Darth Vader]

Marty,

You're the one who should keep his mouth shut. USF actually has a winning record vs. UConn. Three wins to two losses.

Sincerely,

Darth

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I think we need to working on special teams and worrying a bit less about Rich Rod.

Special teams are horrendous.

[SRQ Steve]

I'm not sure that was a jab. It was more of an example of what is going on in college football this year.

If it truly was a jab, the headline should read "CJL takes a jab at Rod. and about 6 jabs at himself". In the same sentence he mentioned how we should not have lost to Pitt, nor played so poorly against FIU.

[Bull Daly]

Not sure if you remember this, but Leavitt was pretty upset last year when Rich Rodriguez left WVU for Michigan. During Leavitt's coaching show at Channelside, he basically said that he could not believe a coach would leave a program and kids like the way Rodriguez did to WVU. He basically felt bad for the WVU fans and players as he said he cant even think about doing that to USF.

[Falko]

CJL has been talking too much. I don't like his comments, he's usually more humble. I know we are ranked in the Top 25 but we don't always look like we are good enough to be there.

[Fred]

Dear Jim Leavitt,

Die in a fire.

-Rod

[Yessir]

I just don't understand the need to go after a coach who is not even in your conference anymore, especially mid season? Focus on your own opponents and conference, it is absolute bush league to take shots at coaches when there is a 99% chance you will never play them again.

[DELdaBULL]

Maybe it is CJL's goal to get Rich Rod mad to schedule us. Maybe.
Welcome back GA. I have joined the married ranks myself.

[Ken]

First, thanks for coming back, Greg. We missed you.

Second, I think he's mostly just telling it like it is--anyone can lose any time if they aren't ready--and speaking to our fans and players mostly.

[Bullsfan]

Yessir,
Your comment is pretty busch league...CJL is not taking shots at anyone he was simply stating that on any saturday anyone can be upset..And to those that think he is talking too much...he was asked a question and he answered it big deal...it seems as if after 1 loss some of you think all of the sudden CJL dosent know what he is doing, did you forget he built this program? give me a break and to Marty I want to see a comment by you after the UCONN vs. USF game and we will see who needs to shut their mouth

[Andrew]

"...Rich Rodriguez and all his infamous wisdom, whatever it is there..."

That certainly is not a NEUTRAL statement. It certainly appears sarcastic to me. I don't think there is a way to say that without it being a jab.

He goes on to suggest that Michigan, for all its talent, lacks "heart and desire and all that," which is easily interpreted as another jab at the coaching staff, and Rodriguez in particular.

Sure, he goes on to say that USF lacked the same intensity against FIU and Pitt with the next breath, but the jab at Rodriguez is pretty obvious.

After some events that have transpired this year I have no respect for Jim Leavitt and the way he handles his players. I would be happy to see him go!

[Bull Daly]

Lets not forget that it was Rodriguez that pretty much stole a few coaches from Leavitt a few years ago. Taking coaches from other conference teams at the time is pretty bad in my opinion. It seemed like Rodriguez was trying to weaken USF by stealing some coaches, so that they would easily beat the BULLS. Too bad that it didnt work that way for Rodriguez, so he took his money an ran to Michigan before USF started to dominate the BIG EAST.

[Marty]

Leavitt is a poser. His assistant coaches know it and scoff at him behind his back. If I were a concerned parent, I would never entrust my son to Leavitt's care. What he says during the recruitment process and what he does in reality are two different things. All Jim Leavitt really cares about is Jim Leavitt!

[Amanda]

I really wouldn't look at it as Rich "stealing" coaches from us... we were more than happy to get rid of Rod Smith.

[Bullsfan]

Marty,
Where do you get your information?? Jim Leavitt is so passionate about his players he just wants them to succeedin football and in life and for you to say that about him shows what kind of person you are... that comment makes me want to throw up

I agree with Marty I have seen it first hand! He doesn't care about his players or if they get an education! His priorities are messed up!

[chuck]

I agree with coach Leavitt. Rod deserves all he gets at michigan. They will find out he can't win the big game...

[WVUFanInDC]

I love it. Leavitt owned Rodriguez in USF's short time in the Big East before Rodriguez left for Michigan. He's stayed loyal to his program and I respect him alot for that and for voicing his opinion about those that abandon theirs. He can say whatever he wants.

[Dale]

Why does it matter that he took a jab at Rich Rod? Do you think he was up all night thinking of what to say about him instead of going over Syracuse game films and preparing for the upcoming game? Get a grip people.

[Dan]

Who is this Leavitt guy and what has he done anyway? Oh, you mean he's just jealous and will never have any measure of success like RR? I can see why he sounds like a jilted little girl now.

[ron]

The thing we need to remember is that if Rod had his way, USF would of never been invited to the Big East. He (rod) was afraid they would take away from the talent he was recruiting in Florida. Rod has also not been real friendly toward Leavitt as well. I am sure there have been recruiting battles and things said that exist between them. one thing is certain, Leavitt knows how dirty and underhanded Rod is, I mean the Big Ten Coaches have said the same thing about Rich's style. Especially in Recruiting.

[Mike Lakeland]

CJL is a great guy, but this just reeks of un-coolness.

Stay classy, Jim.

[Steve O'Neal]

If Leavitt only cared about himself he would have left when he was being offered big money to leave. He was only making 175000/yr then. I told him that I hoped they would give him a raise when they were starting new athletic facilty. He told me That he wasn't worried. The money part would work out, but that he needed athletic facility to recruit. I guess he was right. GO BULLS!

[BamaFan]

Steve,

Alabama was about to go on severe probation. Jim Leavitt WAS thinking of himself when he declined that job. Look how it turned out for Shula. Money or not.

[GP]

Comments at RichRod are still going to be relevant because he jumped out of the what he saw as the kiddie pool (Big East) and into what he saw as the adult pool (Big 10). Say what you want, but that hurt the conference. Kids see that and say wow coaches aren't committed to their team and then they associate it to the whole conference. RichRod completely dicked over an entire football team and fan base. He said "Thanks for the good times, I'm outta here. And I don't think I'll be paying you any of the money I OWE you now."

That is who is despicable. I don't dislike any fans in the Big East, but until he bolted like a bad dad on child support, i didn't feel bad for any either

[kevin]

CJL is a good guy to the core. However, as one who supports him, I wish that he'd keep these sort of comments out of the press. He used to get heat for not saying anything at press conferences, now he's getting heat for all the jabs he keeps taking. What he founded the program on, he's all about; I just hope he's still that same guy.

[Bulldog Andrew]

GP wrote: "RichRod completely dicked over an entire football team and fan base."

The way I see it, the administration at WVU has some serious issues and were the likely cause of Rodriguez leaving for Michigan. It's pretty widely known that 1) Governor Manchin has way too much influence over the school administration, 2) the WVU president is a Manchin lackey, and 3) the lack of ethics in general at the top levels of the school carry over throughout the operations of the university (governor's daughter receiving an undeserved MBA as a case in point). I find Rodriguez's assertions that the WVU administration did not live up to their commitments very compelling.

"He's stayed loyal to his program and I respect him alot for that and for voicing his opinion about those that abandon theirs."

It's hard for a coach to be loyal to a school that is not loyal to him.

"[Leavitt] told me That he wasn't worried. The money part would work out, but that he needed athletic facility to recruit. I guess he was right."

Which is exactly what WVU is purported to have promised Rodriguez and refused to deliver.

All that said, I'm not saying Leavitt is or is not justified in his feelings toward Rodriguez (he very well may be - I obviously have not ever met either), but this seems pretty immature from a neutral observer (born and raised in Atlanta with no allegiance to USF, WVU, or UM).

[Bulliever]

I disagree with most of the comments here...It's like a soap opera.

I have met CJL and he is a great guy and very humble...This was not a jab, just a comment about how any team can be beat on any given Saturday...especially by an up and coming school...

Look at the polls people...Boise State #15/16 (ranked above us...and I think we could beat 'em)and Ball State is ranked #24/25...

It is not a dig, just a comment... and it is getting blown all out of proportion...

[G.A.]

I think the "infamous wisdom" aspect of the quote makes it a definite jab. If that wasn't there, I'd agree with Bulliever that he's just citing an example.

Its to easy to comment on her a lot of anonymous posts

I meant here isntead of her oh well point made either way

[Mike]

We hate Dick Rod too at kegeratornation.com! Ha! H! Way to go Coach Leavitt. Now get your team's specialy teams back on track, you're making me look bad for saying your play solid in that department.

Is it true that Leavitt's team has the lowest graduation rate in the Big East?

The national average for FBS football teams was 67 percent. Here's how the Big East teams stack up in graduating their football players:

Connecticut: 77 percent
Syracuse: 75 percent
Cincinnati: 73 percent
Rutgers: 70 percent
Pittsburgh: 67 percent
West Virginia: 63 percent
Louisville: 58 percent
South Florida: 56 percent

Looks like SEC schools do much better.

SEC Graduation Success Rates

Vanderbilt 94%
Florida 87%
Tennessee 78%
Mississippi State 78%
Auburn 77%
Alabama 77%
South Carolina 76%
Kentucky 73%
Mississippi 73%
Georgia 70%
LSU 69%
Arkansas 68%

Those SEC rates are for overall athletics, not just football.

The Big East is doing a better job than the SEC in graduating football players...

Vanderbilt 91%
Florida 68%
S Carolina 65%
Mississippi 63%
Miss St 63%
Auburn 57%
Kentucky 56%
Alabama 55%
Tennessee 54%
LSU 54%
Arkansas 52%
Georgia 48%

who is jim leavitt and who is usf?

[Tom]

Marty is correct, if he was so concerned about his players he would have had a program in place long ago that ensured his players did everything they could to achieve success in the classroom, and instead of recruiting "questionable" kids, he would have gone after kids with credibility both on the field and in the classroom. He was warned year after year about academics and igonored the university, before the NCAA and the administration had to finally step in and get Leavitt to stop such practices. I still don't think he will follow the "rules" set forth by the University for recruits, thus sending us into an NCAA Investigation.

Especially when Leavitt punishes kids and takes away their playing time for going to class and wanting to get their education!!