News Summary
Former USF head football coach Jim Leavitt was arrested in St. Petersburg on multiple charges, including felony grand theft and domestic battery, following an altercation with his ex-girlfriend. Leavitt is accused of stealing her belongings valued at up to $10,000 during an argument. Eyewitness accounts led to additional charges. USF Athletics has released a statement regarding the arrest, while the future of Leavitt’s induction into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame remains uncertain.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Jim Leavitt, the former head football coach at the University of South Florida (USF), was arrested on Monday evening on multiple charges, including felony grand theft, domestic battery, and simple battery. The arrest took place at Ibis Walk Apartments following a heated argument with his ex-girlfriend.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. when Leavitt allegedly grabbed his ex-girlfriend’s arm as she attempted to leave. He is accused of taking her Louis Vuitton purse, clutch, and wallet, which are valued between $5,000 and $10,000. Reports indicate that he did not return the stolen items when requested.
An eyewitness, a man present during the altercation, reported that Leavitt pushed him on the chest, leading to the charge of simple battery against the former coach. Leavitt was taken into custody by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and booked at 8:41 p.m. that evening. He was released the following day on a $7,000 bond at approximately 8:52 p.m.
In response to the situation, USF Athletics issued a statement acknowledging the arrest. Although they mentioned they are gathering information related to the case, they did not clarify whether the charges would impact Leavitt’s upcoming induction into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame, scheduled for October 2 as part of the Class of 2025.
Background on Jim Leavitt
Jim Leavitt, now 68 years old, made history as the first head coach of the USF Bulls from 1997 to 2009. He holds the program’s best coaching record, with a total of 95 wins and 57 losses. Under his leadership, the Bulls reached five consecutive bowl games and achieved a remarkable No. 2 national ranking in 2007.
However, Leavitt’s coaching career faced significant challenges after his departure from USF. He was terminated in 2010 following an investigation that determined he had struck a player and subsequently lied about the incident. Following his time with the Bulls, he shifted to the NFL, coaching for the San Francisco 49ers, and later took on positions as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at various educational institutions, including Colorado, Oregon, Florida Atlantic, and Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Leavitt’s recent arrest adds to a history of controversies surrounding his coaching career, particularly related to his treatment of players. His attorney has publicly stated that he believes Leavitt did nothing wrong and is aiming to resolve the legal issues in a favorable manner.
As the situation develops, the outcomes of Leavitt’s legal troubles and their potential implications on his future, especially concerning his Hall of Fame induction, remain uncertain.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Jim Leavitt
- ESPN
- Google Search: Jim Leavitt arrest
- USA Today
- Google Scholar: Jim Leavitt
- Cleveland.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jim Leavitt
- WFLA
- Google News: Jim Leavitt
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
