Earlier today, a damning article -- if true -- appeared on AOL Fanhouse, accusing South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt of grabbing a player by the throat and hitting him in the face with his hand -- twice -- during halftime of a late November game.
This evening, the school has issued a statement saying they are aware of the article and will look into the alleged incident.
“The University of South Florida is aware of the story and will review the matter promptly,” Michael Hoad, USF Vice President Communications, said in the statement. “We’re committed to ensuring due process for everyone involved. To ensure fairness, the university doesn’t comment during a review.”
If the allegations made in the article are proven true, the Bulls will be faced with a very difficult decision, up to and including firing the only coach in school history, the person who is directly responsible for building the football program literally from the ground up.
Then again, if the allegations are corroborated, the alleged actions are severe enough where it might not be that hard of a decision at all. Even if it does involve “the most powerful man in this building.”