TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

2 More Reject USF Offer

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: March 2, 2009

TAMPA - University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt probably never thought finding a replacement for defensive coordinator Wally Burnham would be this difficult.

On Sunday, Georgia linebackers coach John Jancek and Colorado secondary coach Greg Brown became the latest to turn down offers to come to USF. Jancek and Brown are the third and fourth coaches who had offers from Leavitt but decided to remain at their respective schools.

Jancek, 40, originally was being considered as a co-defensive coordinator at USF with Brown. However, Brown, 50, turned down the offer to be co-coordinator Sunday.

With Brown staying at Colorado, Jancek was offered the defensive coordinator position by Leavitt on Sunday. However, Jancek decided to remain at Georgia, where he's been linebackers coach the past four seasons.

Last week, Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch and Nebraska linebackers coach Mike Ekeler turned down offers to come to USF.

Former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Joe Tresey also interviewed for the position, while East Carolina defensive coordinator Greg Hudson and Iowa State secondary coach Chris Ash also were among those considered as a coordinator.

Leavitt also is seeking a defensive backs coach.

When the Bulls start spring practice March 9, they'll be without tight end Trent Pupello. The Jefferson High graduate will miss spring practice and possibly this season with a lingering neck injury suffered in a car accident in October, said his father, Joe Pupello.

A junior this fall, Pupello, who played in 10 games last season, and Ben Busbee were expected to compete for the starting position to replace Cedric Hill.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT