Leavitt: Bulls 'as down as you can get'

Lots more to come, but here are some quotes from Jim Leavitt's postgame press conference after Saturday's 49-16 loss to Rutgers, the most lopsided home loss in USF history:

"We didn't play very well. That's obvious, and Rutgers played very well. At halftime, I thought we really had a shot in there. I thought we were playing with great emotion, playing hard."

"What happened in the second half? I'll be honest with you, I don't know. They drove on our defense right away, all the way down the field. ... That just popped our defense. Even when it was 28-16, I really felt OK, we had two scores, and then our defense just couldn't stop them. That's all there is to it, they couldn't stop them.

"Our football team is certainly down, about as down as you can get. ... We'll rise up. I don't have any doubt about that. We have to see if we can get together and find our football team a week from tomorrow on national TV against Connecticut. That will be a real interesting deal to see what happens in the next seven-eight days, about the character of this football team.

"The most disappointing thing was the second half. That's the first time I've seen our team do that in a long time. I've been here a number of years, and if you look at our football team, that doesn't happen often. Why, again, I don't know. We'll try to figure it out."

(Asked why the team has underachieved from high expectations:) "We didn't earlier. The last few games we haven't done as well. I think injuries have hurt us a lot. We've lost a lot of players, and the continuity. I think the continuity really has hurt a little bit. We don't have the same team we had the first five games. We've had a number of guys out. I don't like to say that, really, because I don't want it to sound like excuses. So I didn't really want to answer that questions. But if I'm going to be honest, really honest, that's what I really think is a big part of it. See, coaches don't like to make excuses, because people don't like to hear them, but the truth of the matter is we've got a lot of guys banged up, a lot of guys hurt, and we're not a real deep football team. We've lost a bunch of continuity because of that."

Comments

[Bulliever]

On the lighter side:

As bad as that game was, we all had a great time tailgating....

Then about 3rd quarter, my girls and I decided to take a quick break for a bite of icecream...I never left the "Club"...just ended up hanging out with fellow fans, which I just met, having a beer and talking about how much fun the tailgating is...and meeting new fans.

I am really happy that last week we just had the "die hard" fans there...I am glad we have gotten rid of all of the "band wagoners", they really started to ruin it for me and our family!

[Mike Lakeland]

I think our biggst single problem is a lack of good tackling. We just cannot wrap up!

In other news, Rick's on the River was good food and beer. Lots of Bulls fans there sulking along with me.

[Don G]

lanshire, ok, I'll agree that it's impossible to know for certain that Leavitt is the main problem with this team. We have incredible injuries and it certainly wasn't the coaches fault that they fumbled so much and including penalties, killed many scoring opportunities. So, I think we can all agree that next yr is a rebuilding yr, so it'll be hard to judge Leavitt on that. So, would you agree that we'll have to wait till end of 2010 season to see just what kind of coach ol' Leavitt is - right? I'll wait and see if you have some keen insight many of us lack. Ok, 2 more years for Leavitt & then we'll see.

[RR]

Yeah, Tad....I probably wouldn't be flaunting that glorious win over the illustrious Wolfpack of NC State as a great win if I were you.

That's a bad team right there. They've had their moments, but I too was at that game -- and they are a bad football team.

But alas....that's all we've done this year....beat a CRAPPY Kansas team and a CRAPPY NC State team. Those are our best two wins.

Whoop-dee-doo!!!

[Al]

Wow, where were these entries after the win at NCST? Al?

Posted by: Tad | November 16, 2008 at 04:20 PM
***************************************

Not sure I understand your question.

If you are asking why I didn't post after NCST win...pehaps it was because I was at the game (were you?) and didn't return to Tampa until later in the week.

Do you think the NCST game in anyway offsets the crappy play of the Bulls in the BE this year?

The Bulls played well against NCST (a 4-6 team) who is ranked #70 by Sagarin which puts them 13 slots below USF(#57) and above only 2 BE teams - #91 Louisville (5-5)and #113 S'Cuse(2-8)the perennial BE bottom dwellers.

[RR]

Lanshire...

You think Greg Gregory has done a good job?

That's grand.....just realize you're one of about three people who feel like that -- and one of them is Jim Leavitt.

[Matt/USF]

Wow, that is kinda crazy people are calling for Jim to be fired. Every team has ups and downs. I remember when USF lost to Army in our Homecomming game. They do not have a good team this year, but hopefully they can steal a game and get a bowl game.

[Tad]

Wow, where were these entries after the win at NCST? Al?

[lanshire]

Don G. - I've got no problem replacing the OC. I'll be the first to admit that he's not the right guy for the job. But the get rid of the head coach because we're losing a few games just doesn't make sense. He's done nothing but good things for the program and university at this point.

[lanshire]

Don G, UNC is just as well coached this season as it was last year. The youth they played against us last year needed experience. Just like many on our Defense this season. Kansas is still a good team - they just are playing in the best conference in college football this season. Any way you look at it, they're quality wins.

[lanshire]

lanshire, for your information Hess was forced out because he had a class to attend and missed some of practice. Of course I am sure you heard Leavitt's side of the story, but in reality he was told get rid of the class or don't play! What an outstanding coach that is to tell a student athlete that.

No way a coach would toss a kid for the reasons you've mentioned above...I have to assume that you're a friend or family member of Mr. Hess and I'm afraid that you're the one mistaken.

[Ringo]

Leavitt is a terrible game coach, all of these coaches are easily outcoaching him, it is time for a change NOW! I am embaressed by all of this, get this clown out!!! thanks, Brendan O'Leary

[Don G]

Ari, I'm all for giving Leavitt a break, but does he really deserve one? Let's review: in 2-yrs in C-USA play, Bulls were 8-8. In 4th yr of Big East (BE) play, so far USF is 13-13. USF has been favored in last 16 games vs 1-A teams; they are 8-8 in that same time. Shortly after inception, plan was to move USF into 1-A. Any semi-decent coach would have rode that wave to becoming 1-A. That is not a record that demands either loyalty or support. I agree with you about Grothe for the most part & due to contract, Leavitt will be @ USF for at least the next 2 to 3 yrs, but he will be fired if same results continue.

[702JV]

I feel bad for Terry Lucas who predicted us winning by 28 points !!!!

[Rob]

CJL-we have raw talent but no fundamentals or heart. Take responsibility and lead by example. Accept a pay cut and bring in an accomplished offensive coordinator. Then hire a special teams coach. The fans stand by you-but if you refuse to take common sense changes you will force us to look for someone who will.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I can't believe people think Jim Leavitt should be fired. I read that stuff and it just makes me laugh.

Guys - we suck - because the players suck.

On the offensive side of the ball we probably need to dump Gregory.

On the defensive side of the ball they need to just put in the first team for 2009 and let them get some experience.

We suck. Nothing much else to say. Need to get out there and recruit...and I don't think Grothe is really that great. He is good, but he isn't that good.

And to all the "fire leavitt fans." I hate to break you the news, Jim Leavitt is going to be coaching the USF football team for the next 20 years unless some academic mis-conduct or sexual harrasment arises.

He will NEVER lose his job on performance related issues. The guy is the face of USF football in good times and bad.

But he needs to do us a favor and go out and hire a coordinator.

I think Josh Heupel - the QB coach at Oklahoma would be an ureal 'get.'

[Don G]

nick, my thoughts exactly. This team has taken on Leavitt's emotional ups & down demeanor. They get really up for those big games (WVA & Auburn), but go flat & play with no intensity against teams they're picked to beat. That's what the wind sprints & head butting emotional outbursts get you. Leavitt's head butting antics are probably wearing off and is now passe' to the players. Young players need consistent, mature, inspiring leadership, and Leavitt isn't it so far!

lanshire, for your information Hess was forced out because he had a class to attend and missed some of practice. Of course I am sure you heard Leavitt's side of the story, but in reality he was told get rid of the class or don't play! What an outstanding coach that is to tell a student athlete that.

[nick413]

This team Quit plain and simple. Levitt has lost this team. Based on what I saw today they will be lucky to win one of their last 2 games. This was UGLY. Running wind sprints and Head butting players obviously Is not getting it done. Leavitt did a god job getting this program started but it is time to bring in soeone who can take it to the next level.
The worst part about this is its going to get worse. How many recruits do we lose because of this kind of play? More important do we lose Selvie next year. Why should he stay for more of this when he can play on Sunday.

[Don G]

lanshire, yes, WVA and Auburn were signature wins - no doubt. Re: NC, last season they were not a good team; not the same team they are this yr, even w/loss today against Maryland. In Bulls first 5-games this year (UT-Martin, UCF, Kansas, FIU, & NC St), they didn't beat a team that you could call good. Yes, Kansas was ranked at the time, but Kansas has since gone down hill & obviously were way overrated. Bulls are 8-8 against 1-A teams and UCF, FIU NC St and Syracuse (twice) are 5 of those 8-wins. Lastly, in last 8-yrs NCAA has kept records, USF is the ONLY team to finish in the top-10 in penalties every year! During that time, there's been complete change in players and different OC & DC, but only constant factor has been Leavitt, my friend.

[Don G]

lanshire, while I applaud your loyalty, I think any creative coach from the MAC with a good won-loss record could replace Leavitt. The Bulls returned 21 seniors this year (14 were starters: 8 on Off & 6 on Def) and if you count Selvie (this is his last year), that's 15 returning starters as last year players. Since going 6-0 last yr, Bulls are now 8-8 against 1-A teams. Before this game, this season they've averaged only 3.3 offensive TDs per game (last yr was 3.77). I agree about the OC, but who's going to give him the new pages for that playbook? This is his last year I believe, as Leavitt won't take fault for this teams failures.

[Marty]

So, Leavitt claims, "...we're not a real deep football team." Well, whose fault is that? Leavitt routinely overrules his coordinators and position coaches on recruits. Thus, he only has himself to blame. And, the penalties for one of the lowest APR's in FBS haven't kicked in yet. It's not getting any better soon, Bulls fans.

[lanshire]

USF gets out-coached by good teams....So WVU, Auburn, UNC, and Kansas are bad teams now. Believe it or not but USF isn't supposed to win every game. Your expectations are way too high. This is a rough patch. Happens to the best of programs

[lanshire]

Who do you think USF would be able to get to replace CJL???? Most of you so called fans have gotten spoiled with the Bulls successes of the past couple of years. The silver lining is that now that the team is struggling, now some of the bandwagon fans will jump off and we'll get our extra hour of tailgating back. We lost a lot of key guys on defense last year and the young guys are getting valuable time this season. Happens to the best of teams. The OC just needs a new playbook that includes more motion and a more consistent effort to run the ball with the RBs.

[Don G]

I saw these same issues last season; which ended with an embarrasing loss in the Sun Bowl (56-21). USF gets out-coached by good teams and by decent to good teams in their own conference. I was very disappointed when Leavitt had his contract extended. Due to his new contract, I don't see USF buying him out for at least a few more years. Just think, next year is a rebuilding year on top of this suffering! B.J. Daniels has to be starting QB next season to gain experience for following years. This should be Grothe's last season as a starter.

[lanshire]

Houston Hess quit after losing his spot on the kickoff team....that's on him not the coaching staff.

"B: Most major programs do not have a special teams coach and do exactly what USF does: divide the special teams coaching duties between several coaches." Windbane

And most major programs don't have such lousy special teams...time for those "several" coaches to retire of find employment elsewhere.

[Windbane]

B: Most major programs do not have a special teams coach and do exactly what USF does: divide the special teams coaching duties between several coaches.

[BullieveIt]

What a breakdown in fundementals today...
- Consistent low snaps breaking Grothe's concentration = turnovers
- VERY poor ball protection - Grothe, Hester, etc.
- Failure at tackling.
- No blocking.
- Grothe slow in finding his targets.
- I don't suppose anyone else saw the blue balloon fly right by the placekick holder's field of view right at a critical moment...just his luck he'd flub the hold....but why wasn't the play whistled?

And what the h*ll is up with awarding Hester a "hotshot" award when the team is behind with over 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter?? The display hadn't even cooled from that award before he fumbled.

Face it, it's JL's ultimate responsibility to reel in basic and repeating failures with fundementals. Blaming injuries won't cut it.

[Rod Smith]

Leavitt SUCKS

[Bill]

I hope all you USF fans enjoyed the pounding you took while touching you toes! What a joke of a team!!! Ha, ha, ha, ha....... :) By the way, nice empty stadium! Maybe you should play at Plant. Plus, your coach looks like a clown running up and down the sideline! I guess recruiting kids with low SAT scores doesn’t translate to wins. Go Commuter U!!!!!! I can’t wait to watch the WVU game! bulls I-AA dot com

[Marty]

What happened with Houston Hess? I missed that.

[B]

almost forgot...Jim, please lose your ego and hire a special teams coach...it is getting old now...it is also taking away from your leadership and 'head coaching' duties...we are a major program now...act like one.

[SailingBull]

What gives with all these injuries?

[B]

Grant Gregory offense...4 plays...exactly...no creativity whatsover and putting his 'shorter' qb in position to have knocked down and deflected balls (picks)...we have tons of talent on both sides of the ball...it comes down to coaching

[Marty]

Leavitt has lost this team, plain and simple! He's out of touch with this players and out of step with his assistant coaches. Maybe now people will realize that Jim Leavitt is not going to win a Big East Championship...EVER!

I think it is time for Leavitt to go. He is getting just what he deserves after pulling his crap that he did to Houston Hess! What is USF record since Hess was forced from the team?

[F da Bulls]

My, how the (self-proclaimed) mighty have fallen.

Ha!

Where are all the posers, er, posters to support the "best college team in Florida"?

Dopes.

[Embarassing]

Just embarassing, I wish they would fire Greg Gregory and his 4 play offense and I wish Tyller Roberts would just quit playing football..

Last place in the Big East, let the reace begin...

[Al]

"We don't have the same team we had the first five games" The Jim

And you haven't been playing the same caliber of teams either Jim.

Do us all a big favor Jim...announce your retirement from USF after the season.