News Summary
Former South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt has had charges of domestic violence and theft dropped after a thorough investigation found insufficient grounds for prosecution. Leavitt, 68, faced allegations during an argument with his ex-girlfriend, including claims of grabbing her arm and taking her belongings valued over $5,000. This legal situation arose as he is set to be inducted into the University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the football program.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Charges of domestic violence and theft against former South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt have been dropped, as confirmed by court documents. The 68-year-old was arrested last month following an argument with his ex-girlfriend at a St. Petersburg apartment complex.
Leavitt was initially charged with felony grand theft, simple battery, and domestic battery, all of which are misdemeanors. However, prosecutors announced in a court document that a thorough investigation into the incident revealed insufficient grounds for prosecution at this time, although no further details have been disclosed.
According to arrest records, the incident involved claims that Leavitt grabbed his ex-girlfriend’s arm as she attempted to leave during an argument. He was also accused of taking her Louis Vuitton belongings, including a purse, clutch, and wallet, which were valued at over $5,000. Additionally, during the altercation, Leavitt reportedly pushed another man who was present.
This legal situation comes amid a significant period for Leavitt, as the University of South Florida (USF) recently announced that he would be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony scheduled for October 2. Leavitt, who was the inaugural head coach of the USF football team, began the program in 1997 and achieved notable success.
During his tenure, Leavitt led the Bulls to a remarkable No. 2 national ranking in 2007 and holds the record as the winningest coach in USF program history, with a record of 95 wins and 57 losses over 13 seasons. However, his career at USF ended in 2010 when he was dismissed following an incident in which he struck a player during halftime of a game.
After leaving USF, Leavitt continued his coaching career in the professional and collegiate ranks. He served as a linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers and took roles as a defensive coach for various other college football programs over the years.
Following the court’s decision to drop the charges against him, Jim Leavitt is now set to move forward as he approaches his upcoming induction into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame. This event is seen as a recognition of his contributions to the school’s football program and its development over two decades.
While the legal proceedings have concluded, the impact of the recent incident and its implications for Leavitt’s legacy at USF and the broader football community remain to be fully understood.
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Additional Resources
- ESPN: Charges Dropped Against Jim Leavitt
- The Sun Chronicle: Domestic Violence, Theft Charges Dropped
- Houston Chronicle: Charges Dropped for Jim Leavitt
- Weatherford Democrat: Charges Dropped for Jim Leavitt
- WFLA: Jim Leavitt in Court for Charges
- Wikipedia: Jim Leavitt
- Google Search: Jim Leavitt News
- Google Scholar: Jim Leavitt
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jim Leavitt
- 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.
