USF's Miller: Leavitt didn't strike me

University of South Florida linebacker Joel Miller told ESPN that Coach Jim Leavitt "only grabbed my shoulder pads to motivate me," refuting an online report that has lead to an internal university investigation.

Leavitt has strongly denied the story by AOL FanHouse.com, which alleges Leavitt grabbed Miller by the throat and struck the sophomore walk-on twice in the head during halftime of the Louisville game Nov. 21. The story's sources are Miller's father and high school coach and five unnamed sources.

Miller, who left practice early Wednesday because of a shoulder injury, spoke later in the day with an ESPN reporter, his first public comments about the report.

"I don't think anything should happen to him," Miller said. "Me and Coach Leavitt are fine. People can say different things but he only grabbed my shoulder pads to motivate me because he's a passionate guy.

"He never apologized because he had nothing to apologize for."

On Wednesday, USF President Judy Genshaft informed the university's board of trustees that the school has hired Thomas Gonzalez, an external labor lawyer who specializes in workplace issues, to direct an investigation with Sandy Lovins, USF's associate vice president of human resources.

"I believe that my family's story was misrepresented," said Joel Miller, who attended Wharton High School. "I told this to the school when they interviewed me for a half-hour or hour on Tuesday. Basically, I wasn't having a good game on special teams and he tried to motivate me.

"He [Leavitt] never did any of those things and he never has that I've seen. I had some things on my mind because my grandfather had died the day before. Coach Leavitt cares about me. We talk all the time."

Leavitt was out of town recruiting when the story broke Monday. The Bulls returned to practice Wednesday after having two days off. A larger-than-normal media contingent showed up to interview Leavitt, but the only head coach in the program's 13-year history didn't want to discuss the allegations.

"I was just so impressed with how they practiced and what they did," Leavitt said. "All of you came out here just to hear that. I'm not going to talk about all the other things that are going on. I'm just not. I don't think that would be fair to the whole deal. So you can save your questions as far as that goes."

Genshaft informed the university trustees of the investigation during a conference call. Gonzalez and Lovins will interview players and coaches individually in the coming days.

USF Senate faculty president Larry Branch, who was on the call, is confident the university will get to the bottom of allegations.

"This is a very serious matter," Branch said. "I think it is an extremely serious charge and very important the university conducts a thorough review.

"I'm very pleased by the response of President Genshaft and (athletic director) Doug Woolard to investigate this matter."

Genshaft and Woolard both addressed trustees during Wednesday's call, assuring them they plan a complete review of the reported incident.

Before USF's practice, Woolard and a non-athletic department official informed the team about the investigation.

Lovins met with Leavitt on Tuesday morning and also met with Miller and his father Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Leavitt deflected a question about whether the investigation was a distraction for the team as it prepares to face Northern Illinois in the International Bowl on Jan. 2.

"You've just got to live every day and enjoy every day," he said. "I'm a blessed guy."

Miller has played in 11 games this season, recording four tackles. Leavitt said Miller left practice Wednesday after 20 minutes because of his shoulder.

"In the last game against UConn, on the kickoff return, he hit his shoulder," Leavitt said. "He's fine. He's just got to heal it up."

After the story came out, Miller's father, Paul, said the report was "absolutely untrue." He said Leavitt only grabbed his son by the shoulder pads and accidentally brushed his neck. AOL FanHouse has said it stands by it story.