http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/january/193246/Former-USF-head-coach-settles-lawsuit-for-2.75-millionLast Updated: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
TAMPA --
The University of South Florida reached a settlement deal with former head football coach Jim Leavitt to end his wrongful termination lawsuit Tuesday night.
Leavitt filed the lawsuit after being fired in January of last year.
Attorney Wil Florin, who represented both USF and Leavitt, said the deal includes $2 million for "one year salary and all benefits" plus the $750,000 for "building a highly competitive football program."
Non-state resources will be used to pay for his settlement.
Leavitt had originally asked for as much as $7.1 million, but the $2.75 million finally agreed upon is much more than the $66,000 he was originally paid following his termination for violating school policy.
Leavitt was accused of grabbing a player by the throat and hitting him twice during halftime of a football game in Nov. 2009. Officials said Leavitt also interfered with their investigation.
The former head coach denied all charges against him, claiming wrongful termination.
The settlement of this lawsuit could lead to Leavitt making his way back into the college coaching game.
"I'm grateful for the love and support of my family and all of the great people of Tampa Bay," Leavitt said in a statement issued Tuesday night. "I will always cherish my time at USF and what we built here together."
However, Leavitt will be unable to apply for any USF job in the future.
