Leavitt files lawsuit against USF

TAMPA - Coach Jim Leavitt is suing the university he once loved. His attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday, saying Leavitt was "illegally" fired.

They are suing for breach of contract, as well as for accountability by USF for refusal to comply with Florida's public record laws.

"What we've done is file a lawsuit today to ask that the promises they made, the written promises they made, in March of 2008, be kept," said Wil Florin, Leavitt's attorney.

Leavitt was accused of hitting and slapping Joel Miller, a special team's player.

Florin said USF's investigation was "biased, flawed and legally unsupportable."

Leavitt also said he is still owed money, according to his contract. Wil Florin said if Leavitt was fired without cause, which they believe is the case, he should be entitled to $7 million dollars.

But Florin said even if people believe USF's report, Leavitt is still owed money.

"They deposit $66,000 and change into his account when the contract, in a "for cause" termination requires $375,000 and that's clear, they drafted the contract," Florin said.

USF would only say they "stand by their decision and their report."

Many students on the USF Tampa Campus said they still miss Leavitt.

Zalika Nisbeth said he should be given some credit.

"After all, he did build this program. USF wouldn't be on the map, as for its football, if it wasn't for Coach Leavitt," she said.

Other students said they've moved on and thought Leavitt would have as well.

"I think he got what he had coming to him. I don't think it could be justified. Shouldn't be hitting a player", said Ranjeet Singh, a USF sophomore.

Leavitt's attorney said the coach can't move on, because his reputation has been tarnished.

"They've represented to the whole country that he was abusive and that he was a liar and retaliator. And he's shown he's none of those things," Florin said.